Market share of leading sports/energy drinks companies worldwide 2015
Sports and energy drinks
Sports and energy drinks are defined as functional beverages which are intended to have an impact on your physical or mental performance, respectively.
Sports drinks aim to serve as water or an energy provider during or after demanding physical exercise. They usually contain a mix of water and carbohydrates and are fortified with electrolytes. In some cases, vitamins and micronutrients are added. As it is important for athletes to stay hydrated during active training, sports drink manufacturers recommend drinking their beverages during or after a demanding work out in order to improve athletic performance and replenish electrolytes lost in sweat. The functional beverage is promoted as a smart alternative to water and claims to maximize endurance and build lean muscle during prolonged physical activity.
Energy drinks aim to boost both mental and physical energy. As stimulants most drinks contain caffeine, taurin, vitamins and some kind of sweetener. Teens and young adults perceive energy drinks as being performance enhancers. Since hitting the market, energy drinks have been discussed heavily in the press regarding potential health risks, especially if consumed by children. The high amount of caffeine in energy drinks is suspected to cause the heart to race and blood pressure to rise, which may lead to elevated heart risks.