The new high-energy drink named "Cocaine" is being billed by advertisers as a "legal alternative" to the illegal drug, although the drink contains only caffeine.
Some critics have attacked the drink's name as a cynical, exploitative tactic that could lead some young people toward using drugs by making them seem acceptable.
Cocaine is supposedly 350 percent stronger than Red Bull, but is advertised as not causing the jitters or sugar crash associated with other energy drinks. The drink contains 280 milligrams of caffeine, just shy of espresso coffee in terms of caffeine per ounce.
Currently, the drink is being sold only in the Los Angeles and New York metropolitan areas.
Some companies will seek outrageous marketing ploys to grab the attention of consumers, particularly teens. Consider, for example, the marketing of 7-Up as 100 percent natural, even though it is anything but.
Although a visit to the product's Web site reminds people to consume Cocaine responsibly (along with the expected legal disclaimers warning children and pregnant moms not to drink it), also on the site is a page showing some suggested combinations of concoctions with alcohol, a toxic cocktail indeed.
The real problem is not the deceptive name but the contents of the drink. This puppy has more caffeine per ounce than a Starbuck's Grande coffee and nearly 300 percent more than Red Bull.
So this drink clearly should be avoided by all pregnant women as caffeine has been associated with birth defects. The high levels of sugar also will push your health in the wrong direction.
Generally you will want to avoid specialty drinks and soft drinks, as these could have an enormous influence on your long-term health. If nothing else, soft drinks, energy drinks and fruit drinks are tainted with sugars that will raise your insulin levels and contribute to a host of diseases and accelerate your aging process.
Studies have shown that some fruit juices contain as much as 8 teaspoons of fructose per 8-ounce glass. Not to mention that the caffeine in energy drinks can be lethal. And diet drinks are also harmful, because they're loaded with artificial sweeteners like aspartame.
Stick to pure, natural water if you really want to treat your body well.