The Dart spoke with STA girls about their energy supplement experiences, and asked for feedback from a nutritionist:

SPORTS BEANS

What: Sports beans are jelly beans, which creator, Jelly Belly Company, advertises as a clinically proven sports supplement that provides athletes with a quick energy before a race, game or competition.  The company promotes them for containing electrolytes, carbohydrates and vitamins B and C, essentials for maximum sports performance.

How to use: Consume one package with water 30 minutes before activity, use additional beans as needed during activity and consume one package after activity.

Who: sophomore Caitlin Nelson, Varsity swimmer

Began: Fall 2009

Now: Yes

Her story: ‘I use them every time there is a meet, kind of right before my events, you know for a quick energy.  I don’t want to die before I race and I need to have some energy in me.  There’s no crash.  I mean, pretty much, they’re good for you.  They have vitamins and carbs and electrolytes.’-sophomore Varsity swimmer Caitlin Nelson

Recommendation: ‘Definitely just like, I mean, I wouldn’t totally rely on them.  I’d have something else, too, but they’re good in between events when you don’t have time for quick energy.  I guess [I use them] mainly for a quick pick me up.’

Where: Garry Gribble’s Running Sports, sports stores

For additional information: www.sportsbeans.com

ROOSTER BOOSTER

What: Rooster Booster is a strawberry flavored high-energy drink, which the Rooster Booster Company claims to boost performance, boost concentration, boost endurance, boost metabolism and speed up reaction with a boost of caffeine.  The company endorses the drink as a quick-energy enhancer, which provides an individual with vitamins C, B6 and B12, along with niacin and caffeine.

How to use: Drink one 8 ounce can when in need of energy.

Who: senior Kerry Cummings, Varsity soccer player

Began: Spring 2006

Now: Occasionally, but not for sports

Her story: ‘I would buy two before every game and drink one right before the game started and one right at the very end of halftime.  I like the advertisement and was convinced it would give me more energy.  Once I used it and I had a really good game, I guess, so I started using it after that.  It gave me a burst of energy but definitely didn’t last very long, probably like ten minutes.  Then I realized it wasn’t really doing much for me and gave me a boost for a little bit.  I never really had crashes.  I was just, like, I could tell that there was a drop in my energy level, but not a crash.’

Recommendation: ‘I wouldn’t recommend it being a ritual, considering how much sugar and how bad it is, but I would definitely recommend it for someone who needs a quick energy.’

Where: Quick Trip, gas stations

For additional information: www.rooster-booster.com

PHITEN TITANIUM ENERGY BAND

What: Waterproof silicone band embedded with concentrated Micro Titanium Sphere zones that the company claims may enhance circulation and promote relaxation.

How to use: Wear energy band around neck, wrist or ankle during athletic competition or casually.

Who: Kelsie Fiss-Volleyball, Basketball

Began: Winter 2007

Now: Yes

Her story: I think one of the major things is that it’s kept my back problems away.  When I wake up I’m not as stiff and sore, so I think it works.

It gives my body more energy so my body isn’t stiff or sore as it would be.  It’s something that’s unique and different.  It was worn in the Olympics and by baseball players.  It’s legit.  I think it’s cool.

Recommendation: Yeah, I would recommend it.  I would especially if you have a recurring injury.  It wouldn’t hurt to try it and it can only help.

For additional information: www.phitenusa.com

Julie Mohajir, Health and Wellness Counselor

‘My recommendation is to consume the most natural energy sources, which would be your whole foods, rather than energy drinks.  And it starts two to three days before competition and fuelling your body with good carbohydrates, which would be fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and whole grains and limiting processed foods, packaged food or junk food.  Those are harder for your body to digest and so your body expends energy on your digestive system and you don’t have as much energy for your muscles so the cleaner your diet the better your body is prepared to perform and also the quicker it will recover.  The various energy drinks oftentimes have caffeine or food dye or other chemicals that are not going to work long term for the overall health of your muscles or your whole immune system.  You need to hydrate your body with water.  Water is way more important than any energy drink even being dehydrated two to three percent decreases your performance level’¦I wouldn’t want to comment on [any specific] energy drinks, but I would recommend water to an athlete over any of those drinks.’

JUICE PLUS+

What: Juice Plus+ is a whole food dietary supplement, in capsule form, containing seventeen fruits and vegetables that have been juiced and dried at low temperatures so that it contains no water, sugar or salt.  With athletic verification, the German Olympic team has made it their official supplement, and it is medically proven to reduce oxidative stress, promote cardiovascular wellness and support a healthy immune system.

How to use: Consume one capsule daily.

Who: Health and Wellness Counselor Julie Mohajir

When: 2005

Now: Yes

Recommendation: ‘Really because it’s only fruits and vegetables, it’s a testimony to fruits and vegetables.  Research proves how beneficial and how your body would improve if you eat more fruits and vegetables.  Only supplement I recommend as a foundation.  It’s [a way to obtain] vitamin therapy.’

Websites and studies/reports

• http://thedartmouth.com/2009/01/13/news/energy
• http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20080924/energy-drinks-hazardous-to-your-health
• http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24831859/
• http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1788938/cocaine_discovered_in_red_bull_but.html?cat=5
• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/energy-drinks/AN01630