Energy Drinks

[Divinus Arma]

One of the fastest growing new products in the American marketplace in recent years has been that of so-called energy drinks, led in part by the introduction of Red Bull. Since then, a myriad of market-followers have lined the shelves of convience stores throughout the nation. These products range from corporate backers such as Full Throttle by Coca-Cola to smaller home-grown companies like Spike Shooter.

Some of these new drinks have been the targets of consumer watchdog groups and it is quite possible that legal action and product removal may be coming sooner or later.

Do you use energy drinks such as Red Bull, 5 Hour Energy, or Monster?

What do you think of this emerging product and its growing market?


I'm a big fan of these products myself, and down one every other day or so. If I just need a little pick-me-up, I'll go with a Full Throttle. If I am out to party, I love the Red Bull and Vodka. And if I know I can't make it through some boring day of powerpoints, I'll down a full bottle of Redline and back it up with a 24 oz Full Throttle or Monster.

:slomo:

[Kralizec]

When going out I usually drink at least one wodka-red bull because of the boost, but also because the combination is delicious. If I need an energy boost during the day, I only use the cheaper ones - that are about a quarter of the price of a red bull.

[Innocentius]

If you need the energy boost, you might as well eat some sugar or drink coffee. I myself don't drink it, because it tastes awfully and is too expensive.

[Banquo's Ghost]

A strong cup of PG Tips is about as racy as I get.

[drone]

Most of them taste pretty bad, so I can't really get into them. The classic RedBull/Vodka is OK, but it can cause problems as the night goes on... :yes:

[SwordsMaster]

Well, I'm not a big fan myself, although if I must pull an all-nighter I have to confess to an odd red bull in between all the coffee...

In fairness though, it is not like americans need (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20094935/site/newsweek/) an extra sugar oomph.

[Bijo]

It is rubbish. Coffee is bad enough: those "energy drinks" are a lot worse. I do not know the exact amounts of the used ingredients, but I do know or remember it is unhealthy.

I recall it was told one of those drinks can be roughly equal to 4 to 6 cups of coffee or so. I have no proof whether it´s true, but it is something to consider.

[Mikeus Caesar]

Screw energy drinks, me and my friends just eat way too many caffeine pills.

Bouncing off the walls like 8-year olds, nothing beats it.

[KukriKhan]

Energy drinks are caffiene and sugar, right?

Sounds like expensive iced coffee, to me. Tried a Red Bull when they first came out - didn't like the taste, and didn't notice an energy boost.

[Marshal Murat]

I've never tried the drink to be honest.

My sister drinks it to wake herself up in the morning (horse - trainer).
Personally if I need to get an energy boost in the morning, I should get up earlier and get ready rather than snap yourself awake.

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

I've tried one of these energy drinks, although it wasn't produced by Red Bull or any of the other common brands - I don't quite know what it was. I tried it after a night in which I had not slept and I had work in the morning. It operated to a certain extent, I managed to focus for three hours, but during that time my fingers shook and shuddered which made it rather hard to type. Also, after it's effects had worn off, I felt much worse than I had done before I consumed it. In conclusion, I don't think they are worth it.

[atheotes]

i avoid caffeine generally...dont drink coffee. I drink redbull only when i am driving in the night... i mean after midnight and have more than a couple of hours driving to do...

[Blodrast]

And if I know I can't make it through some boring day of powerpoints, I'll down a full bottle of Redline and back it up with a 24 oz Full Throttle or Monster.
:slomo:

I thought you were still a fire-fighter... what does that have to do with powerpoints ?...

[ShadesPanther]

I thought you were still a fire-fighter... what does that have to do with powerpoints ?...


Powerpoints = sleepy time :Zzzz:



As for energy drinks, I never drink them. But, then I don't drink Coffee or Tea or anything like that (Insomnia so doing that isn't a good idea)

Although Vodka and Red bull is suppossed to be eally really bad for you as it affects you in opposite ways.

[Husar]

I drank vodka red bull before but didn't really think about any boost, can't remember any boost either. Apart from that I don't drink them.

[Beirut]

If I have a big nasty day ahead I might pack a Red Bull in my lunch for when the late afternoon shakes set in and I don't want to sit and eat - I just want to finsih and leave. It gives me a half-hour or so of buzz but that's usually followed by a bit of a crash.

[Strike For The South]

Dont do energy drinks and dont do coffee. I will however do Jagerbombs

[Bijo]

Energy drinks are caffiene and sugar, right?

Sounds like expensive iced coffee, to me. Tried a Red Bull when they first came out - didn't like the taste, and didn't notice an energy boost.
It more or less seems so.

These energy drinks actually make me more tired instead of boosted. Coffee has the same reverse effect on me.

[seireikhaan]

Oh god, I cannot take energy drinks. As a person who pretty much lives on water and milk for the most part, I drink hardly any caffeine or sugar. On a whim, I tried an energy drink once when bowling with some friends, and I thought my heart was going to explode in my chest. Only one other time have I tried them, and that was for my after-prom when they were free. Plus, we got out at about 3:30 in the morning. Unfortunately, I did not crash when I got home; rather, I did not sleep at all that night and ended up a wreck the next day. So, I stay away from them.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

They taste really bad, but a few of my friends swear by them...

One time I had a can of full throttle with a caffeine pill dissolved in it. It's a good thing I was doing manual labor all day. :sweatdrop:

[Xiahou]

I drink them on very rare occasions- sometimes if I'm getting drowsy on a long roadtrip. I prefer a good cup of coffee though. :2thumbsup:

[Divinus Arma]

(A) Energy drinks do not rely on sugar and caffeine, and one of the main ingredients is Taurine (Taurine=Taurus=Bull, i.e. Red Bull). In fact, some extremely potent products have NO sugar whatsoever. Redline is a very powerful energy drink that started as a weight loss supplement. Redline originally claimed to work as a diet supplement by stimulating the bodies "shivering" response, which generates heat and uses up alot of stored energy. Whatever is inside certainly makes me awake, I can tell you that much.


(B) Yep, still a Fire Fighter. Powerpoints are part of continuing training. It is the didactic phase of a period of instruction.

[Csargo]

I drink a Red Bull occasionally. I've tried some other energy drinks, but didn't like them. It's mostly coffee for me. :grin:

[KukriKhan]

Carbonated water, sucrose, glucose, sodium citrate, taurine, glucuronolactone, caffeine, inositol, niacin, D-pantothenol, pyridoxine HCL, vitamin B12, artificial flavours, colors


Red Bull ingredients, from here (http://www.bevnet.com/reviews/redbull/facts.asp) .

Taurine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine) info for those interested.

[Divinus Arma]

Taurine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine) info for those interested.

First sentence, "a major constituent of bile". Nice.

Edit: This should be their marketing slogan- "Red Bull gives you wings! has Taurine which was first isolated from Ox bile in 1827!"



:balloon2:

[naut]

My dentist says drinking them is one of the worst things you can do to your teeth. But certainly goes well with Jager.

[Lemur]

Old ways are the best ways -- two spans to a cubit, a hundred cubits to a stade, mirrors steal your soul, and coffee is the chosen energy drink. All else is blasphemy.

[Csargo]

First sentence, "a major constituent of bile". Nice.

Edit: This should be their marketing slogan- "Red Bull gives you wings! has Taurine which was first isolated from Ox bile in 1827!"



:balloon2:

:laugh4: It's funny in a scary sorta way.:sweatdrop:

[Xiahou]

Anyone remember Josta (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josta)? Now that was a good energy drink. :yes:

[Sasaki Kojiro]

I never notice anything from them...

[Sigurd]

They taste like battery acid.

When studying in Australia and did a all nighter at school (yeah the uni was open 24/7) I brought a couple of Red Bulls or the other one which slips my mind at the moment (black slim can with green droplets). To bitter to actually enjoy but gave great effects.

I think they are illegal here in Norway.

[naut]

(black slim can with green droplets)

V?? (http://www.energyfiend.com/wp-content/v.jpg)

[Sigurd]

V?? (http://www.energyfiend.com/wp-content/v.jpg)

Yes... that's probably the one. At least it looks like it.
It has been 4 years since last time I visited Australia.

[Andres]

I sometimes drink a Vodka Redbull when going out, it tastes good.

Never noticed any "energy boost" from those so called "energy" drinks though. :shrug:

[Sigurd]

Never noticed any "energy boost" from those so called "energy" drinks though. :shrug:
You are probably a regular coffee drinker.

The boost I was looking for was to be able to stay awake when programming from evening to morning.
The caffeine in those drinks does the trick.

[Bijo]

Ah, yes: taurine was the name.

[Peasant Phill]

I've tasted red bull but I don't like it one bit. To me it tastes like liquid bubble gum.
Besides I don't really need energy drinks if I want to stay awake as I rarely drink things that have caffeine in them so one cup of coffee does the trick. Not that it's a principle or something, I just have a habit of drinking orange juice at home or beer when I'm going out.
I once couldn't sleep all night because I drank 1,5l cola during the day. Yes, 1,5l cola during +- 12 hours = staying awake for 38 hours.

[macsen rufus]

I very occasionally have a Red Bull & Vodka, but the first time I tried this I didn't really appreciate the effects, let's just say I "lost" about six hours and had to be dragged back to the ship by crewmates after I (allegedly...) decided it was a good idea to go to sleep on the pavement in the middle of the Reeperbahn.

Very strange flavour to it, not sure if I like it or loathe it, really, but I do know I hate the smell when one of my colleagues brings one into the office. Generally coffee does the trick for me!

[Bijo]

Beer is my energy drink.

[edyzmedieval]

I tasted a Red Bull when I was 7 years old. Big mistake. I nearly threw the whole content out immediately.

Horrible taste.

[caravel]

Beer is my energy drink.
:bow:

The sugar and caffeine combination of energy drinks leads to a quick high followed by a sustained low for the rest of the day. They are, in short, a complete con trick. If you want sustaining energy to get you through the day, try some real food such as a bowl of porridge in the morning.

[Caius]

I dont drink those energy drinks.

My only energy is the tea with sugar at the morning. It work for all the day!

[CrossLOPER]

Energy drinks appear to be another trend that people are picking up. In my experience, energy drinks taste like bile and give no boost of energy. Drinking them in the morning is probably worse than drinking coke.

In any case, drinking a mystery mixture does not sound healthy anyway. Tea is good. Coffee for those who need a stronger boost.

[DemonArchangel]

A good solution would be a can of SoBe Adrenaline Rush mixed in with a Starbucks Espresso Double Shot.

Watch as your heart beats out of your chest.

[Xehh II]

Coffee is my energy drink, lots and lots of coffee, I need at least 10 cups of coffee a day.

[Bijo]

I regard most food and beverage that is processed and sold nowadays (but for a long time already) as light poison. I regard energy drinks as a poison that transcends this... "light poison" type as one of the worst commercial beverages ever artificially created by the vile wretched hands of man to profit from ignorant consumers.


:bow:

The sugar and caffeine combination of energy drinks leads to a quick high followed by a sustained low for the rest of the day. [...]
That is what I have noticed personally in some cases. But there are people who seem to be "fit" by it for a long time. I don't know: placebo effect?

I did notice many a time in the past the symptom you mentioned, but I also noticed -- actually I'm merely thinking back -- that in the case that I actually "psychologically" thought it would function as it was supposed to it would indeed and I was awake for hours. I do not, however, perfectly recall if the drinks were of the same product (I might have used another brand here and there, and if so rendering this observation futile... though we are talking about these drinks in general anyway).



If you want sustaining energy to get you through the day, try some real food such as a bowl of porridge in the morning.
Porridge's taste and nature is horrible to me. It's too... porridge-like. I would rather consume simple cornflakes and milk. However, even cornflakes products nowadays have become ****.

[Del Arroyo]

In our office it's Rip-It, mostly because S4 keeps bringing us mountainous stacks of it. I have yet to try one.

[UltraWar]

Lucozade keeps me going all day long... or is that just because of the Duracell Battery attached to my back?

[Sigurd]

Lucozade keeps me going all day long... or is that just because of the Duracell Battery attached to my back?

As a sidenote it would be interesting finding out who amongst us take other stimulants during a day.
I am thinking of:
- smoking
- drinking coffee or tea
- drinking other caffeine drinks on a dayly basis.
- using snuff (snus)
- other stimulants (tablets or pills)

Would these energy drinks not work better on people not using other stimulants?
I am one that does not use other stimulants on a regular basis (I need to take a tablet (75mg) of Acetylsalicylic acid every day due to a blood illness).
If I am tired and need to be awake for the next hours or so, it is sufficient to drink a bottle of Coca Cola or Urge (better taste).
Back at uni, a stronger dose was necessary (Red Bull or V) and it did the trick. But it left me like as a Berserkr when the flein (psilocybe) mushroom effect stopped.

[Kralizec]

As a sidenote it would be interesting finding out who amongst us take other stimulants during a day.

Usually around half a pack of cigarettes per day. Coffee varies, usually 4 max but sometimes none at all. Tea only occassionally.

I can't say I ever really noticed the caffeine effect with cola. Isn't the amount in cola miniscule compared to a cup of coffee?