Teacher JacobEnergy Drinks: Are they good or bad?
Energy Drinks: The Pros and Cons
What is an energy drink?
What are the ingredients of it?
What are the effects of it in the body?
Energy drinks are soft drinks advertised as providing energy to improve physical activity of the drinker, as compared to a typical drink. Rather than providing food energy (as measured in calories),[1] these drinks are designed to increase a user's mental alertness and physical performance by the addition of caffeine, vitamins, and herbal supplements which may interact to provide a stimulant effect over and above that obtained from caffeine alone.
Generally energy drinks include methylxanthines (including caffeine), vitamin B and herbs. Other common ingredients are guarana, which has a high caffeine content, and taurine, plus various forms of ginseng, maltodextrin, carbonated water, inositol, carnitine, creatine, glucuronolactone and ginkgo biloba. Some contain high levels of sugar, and many brands also offer artificially-sweetened 'diet' versions. The central ingredient in most energy drinks is caffeine, the same stimulant found in coffee or tea, often in the form of guarana or yerba mate.
The average 237 milliliter (8 fluid ounce) energy drink has about 80 mg of caffeine, with 480 mL (16 fl. oz.) drinks containing around 150 mg.
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The Latest News About Energy Drinks
Germany bans cola after drug test
adapted from bbc.com
Red Bull says coca leaf extracts were used worldwide as a natural flavouring
The authorities in six German states have ordered retailers to stop selling Red Bull Cola energy drinks after traces of cocaine were found in it.
The recall came after a sample analysis conducted in North-Rhine Westphalia found one litre of the drink contained 0.4 micrograms of the banned substance. Officials said the cocaine levels were too low to pose a health threat but were not permitted in foodstuffs. Red Bull said its cola was "harmless and marketable" in both the US and EU. The company said coca leaf extracts were used worldwide as a natural flavouring, and that its own tests had found no traces of cocaine.
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Discussion
1. Do you drink 'energy drinks'?
2. What can you say about this news?
3. Should 'red bull' be banned in the market due to the findings of traces of cocaine in it?
4. Is it fair this brand of energy drink to be banned?
5. Will you still drink energy drinks (any brand) after learning about this? Why? Why not?