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.
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