Seniors have always had some magic tonic to boost energy levels. I know of one senior lady a couple of decades ago who just loved her “jogging in a jug” she called it.
From the times of the traveling medicine shows until today there has been something to boost energy and spirits.
For many to get going and keep going it’s a few cups of coffee during the day. Cans of Coke or sipping iced tea to keeps others going. Then there are native herbal remedies and Chinese tonics.
These days, there are options in how baby boomers get their caffeine so take a look at these.
Caffeine Bars and Shots
Go to any big grocery story and you will see lots of shelf space for Clif Bars. These are not only for sports training.
The Clif Bar Caffeine contains between 50mg of caffeine, about the same as a cup of coffee. Sometimes when I have an early start to the day, I just chew on one of the these. I like the Cool Mint Chocolate and Peanut Toffee Buzz bars. Just search “caffeine bars” and you will see many other brands and types of bars, shots and gels that have a small amount of caffeine. It’s an option when you want to skip your morning coffee and is easier on your stomach.
Energy Drinks and Shots
The young first embraced the 5-Hour Energy Shots and are still the biggest users. According to a WSJ article from a few years ago “Bottlers of Buzz Wake Up to Find Seniors as Customers” the 5-Hour Energy Shots also became popular with plenty of seniors over age 60 who aren’t ready to slow down. At the Costco, cases of energy shots are stacked beside Ensure nutrition shakes and across from tubes of wrinkle cream.
As the energy shots became popular with baby boomers they actually started advertising with AARP. Reportedly the energy shots are a big seller at some golf courses. Any grocery or convenience store will have tons of them to choose from.
Now this trend has expanded to shelves full of all types of energy drinks and energy shots everywhere you go as they have soared in popularity with young adults and some use among boomers.
Some say they are fine in moderation. Others warn intensely caffeinated beverages come with some serious health risks for middle age plus persons. (The Surprising Risks of Energy Drinks for Boomers). If you are sensitive to caffeine don’t use energy drinks. Certainly don’t use energy drinks and alcohol. For me it sounds like usage in moderation is the key and most of us at this age already know that.
There are some advantages of energy drinks to boomers as pointed out in this article. As it points out, it is amazing how much more awake you can be on a well formulated energy drink compared to an old fashioned coffee drink, without the nerves, stomach upset, etc. We can get our basic vitamin requirements in some energy tonics without swallowing a hand full of pills. Finding the right energy drink can greatly increase our stamina and minimize soreness the next morning.
Boomers need to do their own research to see if either of these other options for caffeine suits them and those under the care of a doctor should ask if there is any reason they shouldn’t use energy drinks in moderation.
Originally posted 2018-09-06 08:16:32.
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Increased consumption of caffeine may mitigate or even reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, according to researchers at the Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
They came to that conclusion after completing a study that tested the effects of caffeine on mice that had Alzheimer’s disease. https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/caffeine-may-ease-or-reverse-alzheimer-s-study-1.840822