Teens test energy boosting drinks

by Nicole Weston, Posted Jun 4th 2006 @ 3:03PM

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.

Source

Filed Under: Cooking With Kids, Trends, Newspapers, Drink Recipes, Tastings
Tags: caffeine, drink, drinks, energy, kids, monster, red bull, rockstar, soda, soft drinks, taste test, teens

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Reader comments (Page 3 of 3)

6-14-2006 @6:37PM Hannah jayne tipton said... ok this is the truth. rockstar is the worst energy drink ever. it does not 'taste like the other two' it taste like cranberries. monster is good. redbull is overratted. THE BEST ENERGY TO GET is full throttle its by coco cola but it makes you incredibly hyper it gives you a good buzz. (and skrew you physco 'momlike' retards out there who want to suck the fun from everything why dont you shut up we seriously dont care what you say) coffee makes my stomich hurt and black ew. thats just nasty.

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6-14-2006 @6:59PM jean sattler said... I used Red Bull for my husband before cancer chemotherepy, caffine in the body attracts the radiation,also Coke, one hour before treatment
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6-14-2006 @7:38PM carrie said... Energy drinks are great if you get the right ones. Try energy drinks with NO sugar!! Great tasting and better for you.
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6-14-2006 @8:37PM Ron said... I don't drink Red Bull anymore. Hate the taste, + 3 cans does absolutely nothing for me. A truck driver.
The huge cans of the other products only taste slightly better, but I don't want to drink that much product.
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