A Can of Bull? Do Energy Drinks Really Provide a Source of Energy? by Merle Heid

Question

A Can of Bull? Do Energy Drinks Really Provide a Source of Energy? by Merle Heidemann, Division of Science and Mathematics Education, Michigan State University Gerald Urquhart, Lyman Briggs School of Science, Michigan State University Objectives Describe and categorize chemically the components of various ts of various popular "energy drinks. Determine the physiological role of these components in the human body. Explain scientifically how the marketing claims for these drinks are supported (or not) . Determine under what conditions each of the "energy drinks might be useful to the consumer. The Case After spending several years working the Sports Desk of the Lansing State Journal, Rhonda had landed the job of her dreams as a writer for Runners World magazine. The job was fantastid! Since high school, where she had excelled in cross country, Rhonda had been a consistent runner, participating in local races and those assigned to her for her job. For her last assignment, she had run and reported on the Leadwood, South Dakota, marathon-it uas a blast As if reading her mind, her boss Charley walked in just then with a can of XS Citrus Blast in one hand and a list of several other energy drinks in the other. We've been getting a lot of inquiries about the different energy drinks on the market, including XS Citrus Blast Do you know anything about them?" Charley asked. "I know that people use them for various reasons,"replied Rhonda. "It seems they're primarily used by athletes to provide some fuel' as they practice and compete. Other people use them more casually as a way to become energized. That's about all I know. That seems to be about all any of us knows," Charley said. “For your next assignment, Charley continued, "I want you to find out what each ofthe ingredients 1n these drinks is and what it does for a runner or for a non-athlete. You need to be very accurate in your analysis determine what each component really does for the body, not what the marketers want you to believe it does. Then look at the marketing claims of some of these drinks and see if the scientific facts match up to them. Many of our readers are using these drinks with some general notion that theyre helpful, but they're basing their use of them on no scientific information. I've got the marketing daims, a list of ingredients and nutrition facts provided on the cans for consumers, and a short list of questions that should get you started. When you research these, be sure to document all your sources of information, keeping in mind that all resources are not cqual. Here's the information."

Explanation / Answer

1) Energy is defined as the strength and vitality that is required for sustaining physical or mental activity. Energy of food substances are measured in calories.

The main energy providers are carbohydrates like glucose and sucrose. The Red Bull drink contains these substances. So their marketing claim of providing energy during increased physical and mental exertion is true.

Proteins are the building blocks. They are essential for muscle building and body repair. The drink Red Bull contains 0% proteins. So, it cannot be used during vigorous physical activities like sports.

Caffeine blocks binding of adenosine to its receptor. Adenosine affects alertness, attention and sleep. Since the drink Red Bull contains caffeine, it cause increased alertness and attention. If taken in large amounts it can cause insomnia.

Chronic sleep loss results in suppression of hormone secretion thereby reducing the basic metabolic functions of carbohydrates. So, chronic insomnia leads to energy loss. This situation may happen if this drink Red Bull, is taken regularly.

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