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.

[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...

[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 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.

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



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.

[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.

[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.

[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 .

Taurine info for those interested.

[Divinus Arma]

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!"

[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!"

It's funny in a scary sorta way.

[Xiahou]

Anyone remember Josta? Now that was a good energy drink.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

I never notice anything from them...