More and more, people are turning to natural, plant-based foods to meet their nutrient needs without so many artificial ingredients. This rings true for energy drinks, too. You don't have to rely on artificially sweetened, highly processed sodas, smoothies, and meal replacement shakes to get you through the day anymore. Plant-based drinks are a much better option, and here are some ingredients you can expect to find in the good ones.

Green Coffee Bean Extract

Green coffee beans are just coffee beans that have not been roasted yet. They are a good, natural source of caffeine, but they also contain a lot of antioxidants that are helpful for boosting your metabolism and keeping your immune system healthy, too! You'll have a lot more energy when you're not having to fight off a cold or the flu. Green coffee bean extract is often used as a base ingredient in energy drinks, and it gives them an herbal flavor — not one you would typically associated with coffee.

Ginseng

Ginseng is an herb that is common in Chinese medicine. Although people often use it as a weight loss aid, it works by boosting your metabolism, and it can help you feel more focused and alert. Ginseng is a good choice for anyone who starts to feel sluggish in the afternoon hours, and it gives energy drinks a slightly spicy note, similar to that of ginger.

Guarana Extract

Guarana is a plant that grows in South America. Like coffee, it is a good source of caffeine. In fact, some strains of guarana contain twice as much caffeine as coffee. Plant-based energy drinks often contain a little guarana to provide that boost of energy without the coffee flavor. Some do find that the ingredient makes them jittery until they get used to it, so take it slowly when experimenting with energy drinks that contain guarana extract.

Ginkgo Biloba

This extract, which comes from a unique species of tree, is said to be really helpful for fighting mental fatigue and boosting mental energy levels. If you have trouble focusing, feel like your brain is turning off, and feel like you're not retaining information well, a plant-based energy drink with ginkgo biloba is a good choice.

Each of these ingredients has its own advantages, and many energy drinks combine a few of the above ingredients for a more pronounced effect. Try a few, and see what a natural plant based energy drink can do for you.