With over $1 billion in sales for 2004, energy drinks like Red Bull are the fastest growing division of the beverage industry. However, consumers better beware for such drinks can pack a powerful punch.
Similar to coffee, the surge of energy comes from high caffeine content, and for energy drinks there's lots of it: A typical 8-ounce can of Red Bull, for example, contains 80 milligrams of caffeine--which its maker states is comparable to coffee--and is still more than twice the caffeine in a 12-ounce can of Pepsi or Coke.
And, despite the outrageous cost of $2 per can, sales for these energy drinks continue to skyrocket. Aside from Red Bull, additional brands stocking grocery and convenient store shelves include:
When Abused, Energy Drinks Become Lethal
Mixing energy drinks with alcohol, which is combining a stimulant with a depressant, has become an increasingly popular occurrence at bars. When mixed with alcohol, drinks like Red Bull are instantly morphed into popular club drinks like "Vodka Bulls" and "Yager Bombs."
However, some countries like France and Denmark have banned sales of Red Bull, claiming such drinks are associated with potential health dangers due to high caffeine content. The action followed several reported deaths of people who mixed the energy drink with alcohol. Moreover, while caffeine drinks succeed in making drinkers hyper, they can also raise heart rate and blood pressure.
In response to safety concerns, Red Bull strongly supports its product, stating the drink is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and meets the agency's safety and labeling guidelines. A spokesperson representing Red Bull claims there is no recognized connection between the drink and the deaths mentioned.
Caffeinated Beer?
Along with mixing high-energy drinks with hard liquor, beer has been added to the scene: Anheuser-Busch has released a caffeinated beer with ginseng and guarana called B(E). The beverage sells for about $6 for four 10-ounce cans; and with its 54 milligrams of caffeine and blackberry and cherry aromas, this tartly sweet drink has been projected for success.
WGAL-TV February 4, 2005
Boston Globe February 2, 2005
Many of us would love to have a boost in our energy levels periodically--just beware that energy drinks aren't your best bet for that. It is far wiser to address the underlying reasons why we are challenged to have as much energy as we would like. For many of us it may be due to a combination of factors along with the primary ones including: poor food choices, low quality food, stressful lifestyles, non healed negative emotional events, lack of optimal sleep and exercise.
Steps To Start Optimizing Your Health (And Regain Your Energy) Today:
First, increase your intake of omega-3 fats. While fish would be an excellent omega-3 source, mercury levels in almost all fish have now hit dangerously high levels across the world, and the risk of this mercury to your health significantly outweighs the fish's omega-3 benefits. That is why routine consumption of fish or cod liver oil is another highly recommended method of increasing your omega-3 intake and improving your mental and physical health. (It is important to find a fish oil that is independently tested by a lab and found to conform to the highest purity guidelines. This will ensure that the oil is free of mercury and other toxins.) Those of you who read the newsletter regularly know I'm a fan of the Carlson's brand of fish oil and cod liver oil, as I have seen clear and often substantial improvements in my patients who use it. Plus, Carlson's fish and cod liver oil is one of the few brands that put the extra vitamin E in it for you straight from the get-go, so you don't have to take extra vitamin E if you don't want to. You can find Carlson's fish oil or cod liver oil at your local health food store, or, for your convenience, on my Recommended Products page. Next, optimize your diet based on your body's unique metabolic type. One of the most important factors in helping you achieve a healthy life is to have a diet based on eating the right foods for your specific genetic biochemistry. Please understand that you have an individual nutritional type that is primarily based on the genes you inherited from your ancestors. Each nutritional type demands varying ratios of macronutrients (fats, proteins and carbohydrates) to function optimally. Your metabolic type will help you determine which foods are best for you and which to avoid. You can take your free test to help you better learn what foods you were designed to thrive on. Please understand though that nutritional typing is a process and that the key principle is to listen to your body and change your foods on the feedback your body provides you until you are feeling absolutely terrific. Finally, eliminate grains and sugars from your diet. If you are experiencing any of the below symptoms chances are very good that the excess carbohydrates in your body are to blame. Excess weight Low blood sugar High blood pressure We all need a certain amount of carbohydrates, but through our addiction to grains, potatoes, sweets and other starchy and sugary foods, most of us are consuming far too many.
First, increase your intake of omega-3 fats. While fish would be an excellent omega-3 source, mercury levels in almost all fish have now hit dangerously high levels across the world, and the risk of this mercury to your health significantly outweighs the fish's omega-3 benefits. That is why routine consumption of fish or cod liver oil is another highly recommended method of increasing your omega-3 intake and improving your mental and physical health. (It is important to find a fish oil that is independently tested by a lab and found to conform to the highest purity guidelines. This will ensure that the oil is free of mercury and other toxins.)
Those of you who read the newsletter regularly know I'm a fan of the Carlson's brand of fish oil and cod liver oil, as I have seen clear and often substantial improvements in my patients who use it. Plus, Carlson's fish and cod liver oil is one of the few brands that put the extra vitamin E in it for you straight from the get-go, so you don't have to take extra vitamin E if you don't want to.
You can find Carlson's fish oil or cod liver oil at your local health food store, or, for your convenience, on my Recommended Products page.
Next, optimize your diet based on your body's unique metabolic type. One of the most important factors in helping you achieve a healthy life is to have a diet based on eating the right foods for your specific genetic biochemistry.
Please understand that you have an individual nutritional type that is primarily based on the genes you inherited from your ancestors. Each nutritional type demands varying ratios of macronutrients (fats, proteins and carbohydrates) to function optimally. Your metabolic type will help you determine which foods are best for you and which to avoid. You can take your free test to help you better learn what foods you were designed to thrive on. Please understand though that nutritional typing is a process and that the key principle is to listen to your body and change your foods on the feedback your body provides you until you are feeling absolutely terrific.
Finally, eliminate grains and sugars from your diet. If you are experiencing any of the below symptoms chances are very good that the excess carbohydrates in your body are to blame.
We all need a certain amount of carbohydrates, but through our addiction to grains, potatoes, sweets and other starchy and sugary foods, most of us are consuming far too many.
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