A Can of Bull? by Heidemann and Urquhart

Marketing Claims

Next, Rhonda perused the marketing claims for each drink:

Red Bull®

The Red Bull energy drink is a functional product developed especially for periods of increased mental and physical exertion.
It can be drunk in virtually any situation: at sport, work, study, driving and socializing.
Improves performance, especially during times of increased stress or strain.
Improves concentration and reaction speed.
Stimulates the metabolism.

XS Citrus Blast®

There is less than 1/2 calorie of sugar in XS Citrus Blast. This qualifies for the government-approved statement “No Sugar.” The 8 calories in XS Citrus Blast are from amino acids and are protein calories that aid your body’s natural metabolic process.
Most 8-ounce energy drinks in the market today have over 100 calories and from 27 to 30 grams of sugar, which is a simple carbohydrate. Most 12-ounce non-diet soft drinks have 170 calories from 40 grams of sugar. Most 5.5-ounce juice drinks have 80 calories from 20 grams of sugar.
Calories from sugar and carbohydrates may increase fat deposits. Simple carbohydrates are also called high glycemic (high sugar) foods. High glycemic foods cause your body to pump insulin to digest the sugar, which sends a message to your body to store calories as fat. Low glycemic foods do not pump insulin to the same degree and aid in your body’s natural metabolism of fat, using your body’s fat resources as fuel. Many experts fear that the epidemic incidence of diabetes in North America today may be significantly contributed to by high-glycemic diets. The 8 calories in XS Citrus Blast are from amino acids and are protein calories that aid your body’s natural metabolic process.
XS Citrus Blast uses a proprietary blend of Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium (Ace K), and fruit essences to give the drinks their great flavor without sugar or empty calories. In fact, the 8 calories in the drink come from the 2 grams of amino acids, which are protein calories.

Sobe Adrenaline Rush®

This maximum energy supplement delivers an energy boost with a natural passion fruit flavor. It’s lightly carbonated with a clean smooth feel.
This maximum energy supplement is fortified with a unique blend of natural energizing elements, including d-ribose, l-carnitine and taurine. It’s pure, concentrated energy in an 8.3-fluid-ounce can.

Impulse®

Elevate Your Performance
Impulse Energy Drink contains special supplements to immediately enhance mental and physical efficiency and give you the energy boost you deserve… replenishing your strength.
Impulse gets its energy from a simple source: nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that occur naturally in the body and foods we eat. Enjoy: the wake-up power of caffeine, the alertness-inducing properties of taurine, the lift you get from vitamins B6 and B12. Combined with Impulse’s other ingredients, these are known to increase mental focus and physical well being, enhance performance, and accelerate metabolism.

Go to “Charley’s List of Questions”

Originally published at http://www.sciencecases.org/energy_drinks/energy_drinks2.asp