A Can of Bull? by Heidemann and Urquhart

Charley’s List of Questions

Rhonda realized that before she could start analyzing the energy drinks, she needed to know the answer to the following question:

When we say that something gives us “energy,” what does that mean? What is a biological definition of energy?

After satisfying herself that she had a good definition, she turned to the first set of questions on Charley’s list.

What is the nature (sugar, amino acid, vitamin, etc.) of each ingredient listed on the cans?
What is the physiological role of each in the human body?
Which ingredients provide energy?
Which ingredients contribute to body repair, i.e., which help build or rebuild muscle tissue?

Rhonda was determined to wade through the confusing labeling of the drinks. For example, XS Citrus Blast® boasted that it had no calories but still provided “energy.” That made absolutely no sense based on what Rhonda knew about biological energy! The first thing she needed to do was sort out the various ingredients on the labels—a task that consumers rarely undertake.

Go to “Ingredients & Nutrition Facts”

Originally published at http://www.sciencecases.org/energy_drinks/energy_drinks3.asp