Do Energy Drinks Break A Fast? [Intermittent Fasting FAQ]
Do energy drinks break a fast? Do zero calorie energy drinks break a fast? Get your answers in this article!
You might be wondering how you can get energy while you are fasting. Do zero calorie energy drinks break a fast? Do sugar free energy drinks break a fast? In this article, we will answer all of your questions related to energy drinks and fasting! Keep reading to learn more.
Do Energy Drinks Break A Fast?
Yes, energy drinks will break your fast. Sugar-free and zero calorie energy drinks will also break your fast. Energy drinks contain ingredients that will spike your insulin levels and pull you out of your fast.
Do Energy Drinks Break A Fast – Further Details
Yes, energy drinks will break your fast. Energy drinks contain artificial sweeteners and other ingredients that will spike your insulin levels and break your fast.
Further, these artificial sweeteners can make you hungry and also make you crave sweets!
Additionally, consuming energy drinks during your fast will interfere with the health benefits that fasting provides. One health benefit of fasting is autophagy.
Autophagy is the body’s way of cleaning out damaged cells, in order to regenerate newer, healthier cells, according to Priya Khorana, PhD, in nutrition education from Columbia University.
The basic idea behind autophagy is that in the absence of external sources of food, the body begins to eat itself (auto: self, phage: eat), destroying and recycling its own damaged cell bits and proteins, so that new and healthy versions can be built. Autophagy is believed to be essential for helping protect against diseases like cancer and dementia.
However, when you consume something during your fast, like an energy drink, autophagy cannot occur.
Do Zero Calorie Energy Drinks Break A Fast?
Yes, zero calorie energy drinks also break a fast. Many zero calorie energy drinks contain ingredients like BCAAs, vitamins, ginseng extract and more. These ingredients can spike your insulin levels and pull you out of your fasted state.
If you enjoy zero calorie energy drinks, consume them during your eating window!
This article is all about can you drink energy drinks while fasting.
What Can I Consume For Energy While Fasting?
Here are the top choices that we recommend to consume for energy while fasting.
Black Coffee
Black coffee is a great way to get energy while fasting. Remember, you cannot add anything (sugar, creamers, etc.) to your coffee while you are fasting. If you prefer to use creamers or sugar, you can enjoy your coffee concoction during your eating window!
If you are struggling to figure out what kind of coffee to drink, check out our guide to the best coffee to drink while fasting.
Plain Green Or Black Tea
Plain green or black tea is another way to get energy during your fast. As a reminder, don’t add any honey or sugar to your tea during your fast!
For more information, check out our guide to the best teas to drink while fasting.
Water Joe
Water Joe is caffeinated water. This is a great way to hydrate and caffeinate at the same time! Water Joe contains just water and caffeine – no added sugars, artificial colors, dyes or any junk!
What Can I Consume While Fasting?
If you are following a clean fast, you can consume the following items when fasting:
- Water (unflavored, no added fruit)
- Black coffee
- Plain green tea or black tea
- Mineral water, unflavored sparkling water, seltzer water (with no added ingredients)
- Salt, electrolytes or minerals (unflavored, no additives)
- Medications as prescribed by your doctor
Additional Fasting Resources
Here are some other frequently asked fasting questions that may help you out!
- Can You Chew Gum While Fasting?
- What Are The Best Electrolytes For Fasting?
- Why Am I Not Losing Weight On OMAD?
- Does Celsius Break A Fast?
Frequently Asked Questions
No, energy drinks should not be consumed while fasting. If you enjoy energy drinks, wait until your fast is over to drink them.
No, you should not consume zero calorie energy drinks while fasting. Zero calorie energy drinks still contain ingredients that may spike your insulin levels and remove you from your fasted state. It is best to wait until your eating window to drink any type of energy drink.
Yes, sugar-free Redbull will break your fast. Sugar-free Redbull contains natural and artificial flavors, taurine, Vitamin B12 and more. All of these ingredients will cause your insulin levels to spike, therefore breaking your fast.
Yes, sugar-free energy drinks will break your fast. Sugar-free energy drinks have BCAAs, vitamins, ginseng extract, and other ingredients. These ingredients can spike your insulin levels and pull you out of your fasted state.
If you enjoy sugar-free energy drinks, consume them during your eating window!
Yes, a 5 hour energy will break your fast. If you need to take 5 hour energy, take it during your eating window.
Related: Best Clean Energy Drink