Creatine and Your Health

Energy Drinks

Creatine's name comes from the Greek word “kreas,” meaning “flesh.” This present-day energy drink ingredient was discovered in 1832 by Michel Eugene Chevreul. Chevreul named creatine for “flesh” after finding that this substance was a component of skeletal muscle.

Unlike most energy drink ingredients, creatine's primary function is muscle building; body builders and athletes often take creatine supplements to build muscle mass! Like some other energy drink ingredients, creatine is also proven to greatly enhance your cognitive ability.

Though creatine does have some muscular benefits, there also exist possible side effects. Creatine may have a concerning effect on your gastrointestinal system – in some individuals, creatine consumption can lead to stomach discomfort, diarrhea, nausea, and loss of appetite. In rare cases, creatine has caused asthmatic symptoms. Creatine is also suspected to alter the normal activities of insulin, and is therefore not recommended for consumption by diabetics.

Creatine may not be the most common energy drink ingredient, but is found in some energy drinks on the market. Check your energy drink label and decide for yourself whether creatine's muscle-building benefits could outweigh its risk of side effects.