Back in the day, Jolt soda was known for having all the sugar and twice the caffeine as regular soda. Monster, Red Bull, Rockstarand SoBe have since taken Jolt’s place, though at a heftier price tag – usually $2-3 a can.
Since the 1990s, energy drinks have gone from being the latest craze and fad to a permanent fixture in our culture. An energy drink is a beverage that contains some form of legal stimulant and/or vitamins which are meant to give consumers a short term boost in energy. Caffeine is the typical culprit, with a pretty hefty dose. In fact, some countries in Europe have banned Red Bull and other energy drinks.
Researchers say the amount of caffeine necessary to produce dependency and withdrawal symptoms is about 100 milligrams a day. An eight-ounce cup of coffee typically has between 100 and 150 milligrams. A can of energy drink has between 80 and 160 milligrams, depending on the size, though such information is not listed on cans.
As an aside, bars around the world mix vodka with energy drinks, especially Red Bull. If you’ve ever had it, you know why it’s so popular. The problem is that you are mixing a depressant (alcohol) with a stimulant (the energy drink). This can have an effect on your heart and claims have been made that this combination has lead to several deaths.
In fact the FDA has asked that manufacturers start adding warning labels and restrictions, although don’t start looking for companies to roll them out voluntarily. Meanwhile, be a smart consumer and decide what’s safe for you and your family.
