Starbucks 'Trenta': How The New Size Compares To Your Stomach
Famous Death Row Last Meals
Teen consumption of energy drinks is way up and the reason for their popularity is primarily their caffeine content. A Red Bull has 9.64mg of caffeine per ounce, while a Coke only has 2.83 mg per ounce (Pepsi has 3.17mg). The extra caffeine can help to keep the chronically sleep-deprived awake, but more interesting to the students this time of year is the fact that caffeine can potentially help them concentrate slightly better in class or on exams by making them more alert. Columnists at the Mercury News - judged to be amateur, moderate or pro caffeine consumers - tested three popular drinks: Red Bull, Rockstar (9.38mg/oz.) and Monster (8.75mg/oz.). They rated them on taste and how long it took the boost to kick in. Not completely scientific, perhaps, but an interesting look at the drinks and certainly a good start for anyone looking to get through finals.
Red Bull - sweet, but not unpleasant, taste and slightly syrupy
- Amateur - Kicked in immediately. Felt like she would never need to sleep again.
- Moderate - It took a whole can to perk her up.
- Pro - "Drinking it is somewhat similar to breathing for me." Lasted 45 minutes.
Monster- very sweet, syrupy taste
- Amateur - The drink was twice as big as the Red Bull (16-oz vs. 8-oz) and, though it perked her up, it made her very jittery
- Moderate - Kicked in immediately, but "[her] hands were slightly shaky and it was hard to type."
- Pro - "Monster kicked in immediately and with a vengeance." Lasted 1hr15 min.
Rockstar - tastes the same as the other two
- Amateur - Didn't feel a boost from this one
- Moderate - Drank right after the Monster and almost lost the ability to type at all, let alone complete work
- Pro - No burst of energy, but felt caffeinated all the same. Lasted 30 minutes.
Jane Seymour's Modest And Modern Style
Broke Stars: 11 Celebrities Who Went Bankrupt
LOOK: Amazing Underwater Photos Of Dogs
Adele Five-Year Break? Singer Plans to Focus on Relationship, Write 'Happy Record'
Social Security Is Failing Even Faster Than We Thought
PHOTOS: How You Can Get The 'Miracle' Dress
Man Says Starbucks Discriminated Against Him Because He Has Half An Arm
Chris Brown, Grammys 2012: Embattled Singer Slams Critics
Janice Dickinson's Outrageous Style
Ford's clever Sports Illustrated Swimsuit ad features phantom model
Trace Adkins Reunites With College Crush, 30 Years Later
Photos Of Dead Lacrosse Player's Injured Body Shown To Jury
3 Economic Misconceptions That Need to Die
Van Gogh's Starry Night modded into beautiful interactive light and sound show (video)
PHOTOS: Model Falls At Dennis Basso Show
'Hooker Teacher' Forced To Resign, Now Can't Find Work
Lauren Scruggs Goes On Ski Vacation
WATCH AND LAUGH: Cops In 2-Hour Standoff With Empty Car
Woman's Dead Fiance Is Behind Her Disappearance: Cops
Stephen Wiltshire Draws Cities From Memory
We Meant There WERE Nukes In The Fire
6-04-2006 @6:19PM c harri said... why in the world would teenagers need energy drinks?? Are they even safe for growing bodies??
Reply
6-04-2006 @7:59PM yelena said... redbull is the nastiest tasting crap i have ever had in my life! granted i'm sure there is something around that tastes worse, but for the time being i think i'll stick to coffee and cola to get me through finals.
Reply
6-04-2006 @10:13PM Lintisha said... i love Red Bull.....the ppl who dont suck! interesting essay.
Reply
6-05-2006 @1:18AM Steven said... Redbull is a acquired masicistic taste. Its really sour, but I like sour. It kinda reminds me of cry babys from when I was like 7. Which is a bit over 14 years ago.
Reply
6-05-2006 @2:47AM Fashion said... I was neither tired when I went to bed nor when I woke up after three hours of sleep, yet it did not prevent me from sleeping. I felt a little woozy the next day, but I did not fall asleep in a single one of my classes.
Reply
6-05-2006 @8:49AM Brad Schultz said... If this is about caffeine, why not put in the original caffeine giant? JOLT. With 5 great flavors, and plenty of power..... this is the drink that should have been tested! Try it - you'll like it!
Reply
6-05-2006 @8:57AM greg said... Yes! I like most energy drinks but Jolt Ultra is the best bang for the buck. Nice balance of taste and boost. Not to mention the sweet reusable battery can design.
Reply
6-05-2006 @9:39AM Blue Balloon said... Bawl isn't in listing. It been found only at 7-Eleven which cost $1.99 in blue glass bottle. It sure taste like closer to gum bubble flavor.
http://www.bandddesigns.com/energy/arch/001377.html
Reply
6-05-2006 @12:18PM siri said... As a frequent consumer of "energy drinks", I feel the need to give my 2 cents here. BTW, I'm twice as old as these teens.
My drink of choice is Monster "Low-Carb", which like most diet energy drinks uses sucralose instead of aspertame. It tastes just as good as the regular Monster, sweet but nothing like Rockstar's diet offering. All the energy with just 20 calories for the 16-oz can. Some places even carry the XXL which is a 24oz can. Boundless energy and still a buck and a half cheaper than a venti iced mocha at Starbucks.
Diet Rockstar literally tastes like liquid Double Bubble. It's that sweet. I'll drink it if it's the only thing available.
Diet Red Bull tastes horrible. Its really disgusting. I'm not sure if its the aspertame, or the fact I just don't care for the taste of regular Red Bull (unless you add something to it.. like Jagermeister!) ;-)
Reply
6-05-2006 @3:12PM Alex said... I am a a college student and live off these things. My drink of choice is diet monster. They are dirt cheap at costco, taste good. Don't really work for me but still ...
The best part is after you are done with papers or finals, you can mix the energy drinks with Vodka and have a tasty drink.
Reply
6-14-2006 @2:43PM Kate said... Try Coke Blak..its awesome!
Reply
6-14-2006 @2:46PM Katbird said... I am a 43 yr. old married, mom of three and I love energy drinks. My favorite is the Stinger raspberry. I do like the new Superman made by Sobe. It has a cherry cola taste. These drinks help me make it through a long day taking care of kids , going to work and coming home to do it all over again.
Reply
6-14-2006 @2:56PM Gee said... Why in the world do teenagers need energy boosts? If they eat properly, their good food will provide all that they need without artificial anything. Plain water is a booster if it is taken in proper amount.
Reply
6-14-2006 @3:03PM Gillian Thomas said... One of my best friends is a paramedic. She drinks them all the time and says that they keep her alert and awake. The only thing I've noticed about her is although she is very young and healthy, she's put on noticeable weight since she started drinking them. All that sucrose is making her gain weight at an alarming rate!
I have another friend who is a doctor who has advised us that that much sugar will add on the pounds and the temporary "energy benefit" isn't worth down side of added weight and ill health.
I had a plump friend of mine do an experiment. He went cold turkey of ALL caffeinated and sugary drinks and noticed that his energy level went way up and his weight went noticeably down!
Maybe all these chemicals that we keep stuffing into our bodies might not be such a good thing.
Gillian
Reply
6-14-2006 @3:12PM martha berman said... what happened to milk??
Reply
6-14-2006 @3:17PM janie said... I can't go on without my lo-carb monster. It is fabulous! Taste A++ Energy A ++
Reply
6-14-2006 @3:19PM PisceanGoddess said... Re:Comment 14
I too used to drink a lot of mountain dew and red bull, and when I quit, I lost 20 pounds without even changing my diet. Not only did they make me put on pounds, I had gained a lot of water weight, too. I'm sure that at least half of that 20 lbs was water weight because of how fast the weight came off.
I highly recommend for anyone who needs a boost without the added calories to make a good strong pot of dark brewed coffee, and drink it black. Zero calories, it acts as a duiretic, and kicks in quicker than anything else I've tried, and at 31, I have treid a lot. It may not be trendy, but that's not really the point....
Reply
6-14-2006 @3:20PM Liz said... I'm with those who ask why teens & Moms need pumping up. It worries me that they're driving "pumped up" and "jittery" and their hearts are racing all the while. I'm a 48 mother of 4 kids under 12 and sure, I get tired!! But that's what sleeping is for. If I can't do that, I shouldn't BE a Mom-- or an example to anyone else, or on the road. Eat healthy, drink water and watch your body respond to energy, weight loss and less bags under your stressed out eyes. Who wants to look "caffinated" anyway?
Reply
6-14-2006 @3:32PM Kelly said... Red Bull and Crown Royal over ice, now THAT is a treat !!
Reply
6-14-2006 @3:37PM Tonie said... caffeine is a drug and not good for developing bodies. it can stunt growth and cause behavioral problems. i have seen children act totally diff after being off sodas for 2 weeks. the sugar and caffeine are not good for children!!
Reply