Is the Extra Boost in Energy Drinks Really Worth It?

Almost everyone out there is looking for an extra boost. Something that will get them going throughout the long, painful, or boring day; something that will energize them and give them a kick in the rear. That extra boost we are all looking for has been found in the latest new fad of energy drinks. Four of them in particular have swept the nation with popularity and sent everyone running on full steam to get the day done. These four include SoBe Adrenaline Rush, AMP, Red Bull, and Rockstar. So what is exactly in these drinks that make us rev our engines and take off at full speed?

Let's look at Sobe Adrenaline Rush first. This all the rage beverage's basic consumption size is that of 8.3 fl oz can. There are 79 mgs of caffeine per serving, 140 calories, 115 mg sodium, 20 mg potassium, 37g total carbohydrates, 35g sugar, 100% vitamin C, 30% folic acid, 250% vitamin B6, 100% Vitamin B12, 100mg Taurine, 500mg D-Ribose, 250mg L-Carnitine, 100mg Inositol, 50mg Guarana, and 25mg Panax Ginsing.

Then of course there is AMP. In a normal 8fl oz can you will find 110 calories, 65 mg sodium, 29 g carbohydrates, 150 mg Guarana Extract, 10 mg Taurnine, 10 mg Panax Ginseng Extract, 71 mg Caffeine, 107 mg Benzoic Acid, and 34 mg Phosphemus.

And we can't forget about the most popular Red Bull that in a regular serving size of 8 fl oz will give you a boost that contains 27g sugar, 1000mg taurine, 600mg glucuronolactone, 80mg caffeine, and contains 160 calories.

And last but not least there is Rockstar. It's 8fl oz, 140 calories can will fill you full of

31g of sugar, Vitamin B2 34 mg, Vitamin B3 20 mg, Vitamin B5 10 mg, Vitamin B6 2 mg, Vitamin B12 6 mg, Sodium 40 mg, Taurine 1000 mg, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract 150 mg, Caffeine 80 mg, Guarana seed extract 25 mg, Inositol 25 mg, L-Carnitine 25 mg, Panax Ginseng Extract 25 mg, and Milk Thistle Extract 20 mg.

Gotta love all of the numbers and long words you have never heard of right? Let me break it down for you.

All four of these energy drinks contained Taurine. Taurine is an organic acid that is found in the tissues of many animals and is also found in plants. Taurine is a conditionally essential amino acid that is naturally occurring in the human body. "Conditionally essential" means that in some situations or under certain conditions, as, for example, in situations of high stress or physical exertion, increased amounts of taurine are eliminated from the body and cannot be replaced by the body in sufficient amounts.

Taurine is involved in vital functions of the human body. Taurine acts as an antioxidant and has been shown to promote detoxification by binding together with harmful substances and thereby accelerating their excretion from the body. Taurine is also used to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, and epilepsy and can also improve health and vision. However, too much taurine can cause breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest as well as skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin.

D-Ribose is another common ingredient to these energy drinks. This is actually a naturally occurring sugar that is found in all living cells and is very essential for life. D-ribose may cause hypoglycemia and elevation in uric acid levels. Those with gout should avoid supplemental D-ribose, and those with elevated uric acid levels and hypoglycemics should exercise extreme caution in its use. Those with diabetes should also exercise extreme caution in its use.

L-carnitine is also another amino acid that is found in nearly all cells of the body and produce biological energy and affects the heart in a positive way as well as lowering cholesterol levels.

Inositol on the other hand is something that is a fundamental ingredient of all cell membranes and is necessary for proper nerve, brain, and muscle function. Therefore our bodies need inositol to function properly. Inositol helps with the transportation of fats throughout the body and also helps neurons communicate better with the body's nervous system.

Of the four main ingrediants of most energy drinks none of them have a listed toxity level or anything noted that you can overdose on... so what makes energy drinks so bad? It's the caffeine!

Individual responses to caffeine vary, and these drinks should be treated carefully because of how powerful they are. Energy drinks' stimulating properties can boost the heart rate and blood pressure (sometimes to the point of palpitations), dehydrate the body, and, like other stimulants, prevents sleep. Energy drinks should not be used while exercising as the combination of fluid loss from sweating and the diuretic quality of the caffeine can leave the user severely dehydrated. Taurine enhances the effects of caffeine, giving you a slightly larger boost than if you had drank only one of the ingredients. This is just a theory however since it has yet to be scientifically tested.

We all know that caffeine is a stimulant, well so is guarana which can be found in most soft drinks and energy drinks and is also used as a dietary supplement to promote weight loss. Guarana is a central nervous system stimulant, which means it quickens perceptions, delays sleep, helps with endurance based activities, can help you to recover from a hangover, impair your appetite, cause a higher blood pressure and an increased heart rate, and can make you feel jittery. Overdose of caffeine or guarana is possible and the fatal dose of pure guarana has been estimated at 10 grams. Caffeine on the other hand, usually in excess of 400 milligrams, more than three to four cups of brewed coffee will affect you with an acute overdose.

Red Bull has recently been a beverage that is used in bars for mixed drinks and one of the reasons is because many people feel more in control when they mix Red Bull with alcohol than if they mix some other drink with alcohol. According to a study carried out at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, people may feel more in control, but tests have proved the opposite is the case.Those who have had Red Bull with alcohol said they felt less impaired than when they drank alcohol without Red Bull. But tests proved this 'feeling' was an illusion. Those who drink Red Bull with alcohol are more drunk than they think they are and this is very, very dangerous considering the illusion he or she feels and thinks they can undertake such tasks as driving a car or handling machinery.

Two people in Canada have reported serious adverse health reaction after consuming Red Bull but no one will say what happened or what the circumstances were.

With all of this information, and yes I know how good Red Bull tastes by itself or mixed with your favorite alcoholic beverage, I would stay away from it. If you need an energy boost, pick one of the other energy drinks out there. Remember that energy drinks are just that, energy drinks. They are not to be used as thirst quenchers or be misinterpreted as a soft drink or a drink for mixing. You're putting your life on the line for an energy boost that could be obtained by going to bed earlier, or getting more rest, and even eating healthier. I know that is easier said then done, but try it sometime and compare the side effects, I'm sure your body will thank you.