The energy drinks contain high dose of caffeine, which is a powerful psycho-stimulant and is believed to counter effects of alcohol by warding off drowsiness. Red Bull and Burn, both energy drinks, is a favourite with pub goers and night club regulars. Women particularly prefer it because of the taste. Nightclub managers say vodka with energy drinks is very popular in the age-group of 25-30. Ninety per cent of the sales of energy drinks in India is due to consumption of alcohol. Its consumption with alcohol is also on the rise. Energy drinks are not designed to hydrate the body. But they too come with a word of caution - they should be had only if the exercise is intense.Įnergy drinks rapidly increases energy by temporarily increasing heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure.
Products promoted as sports drinks, have glucose and electrolytes that replenish body fluids during strenuous activities and prevents dehydration. There is no mention of water here though. Olympia, a South Delhi gym suggests that Red Bull (sugar free) is best consumed 30-40 minutes before exercise. But this piece of 'advice' is missing from the labels.įitness clubs and gyms promote energy drinks, read 'Red Bull', as easily as they would promote a sports drink. In response to queries by Down To Earth, the company stressed that Red Bull was not a fluid replacement and that a lot of water should be had with the beverage. Those performing in intense sports events can consume one or two cans during the event or at half-time break with adequate water it can also be consumed after an event to aid recovery, the company says. Red Bull India Private Ltd advises athletes to consume Red Bull half an hour before training or competing. Ireland has recommended a ban on promotion of Red Bull in sports events.Ĭountries like Denmark, Uruguay and Turkey have banned energy drinks altogether while Sweden has banned its sale among children. Moreover, the association of energy drinks like Red Bull with Formula 1 car racing adds to the confusion that these can substitute sports drinks. Retailers display the two drinks together, creating a confusion in the minds of consumers. They are being marketed to give instant energy and strength and they are being used as 'before-and-after-gym-drinks', a trend that is catching up and is worrisome.Įnergy drinks are replacing sports drinks. The rules are still in the drafting stage and it is believed that a standard of 320 ppm of caffeine is going to be set.Įnergy drinks like Red Bull, Cloud 9, Burn and XXX have flooded the market. Though Red Bull, the leading energy drink brand with nearly 50 per cent control on the market, debuted in 2002 the food regulators have not yet been able to draw regulations for these drinks. The drinks are under the category of 'proprietary food' and hence are being sold unregulated. The 'feeling' of energy though comes from caffeine, which is a stimulant.Įnergy drinks is a rs 200 crore market is growing at a 20 per cent annual rate. Except for sugar, other ingredients do not provide energy. Energy drink is a misnomer, say health experts. The regulators are ready to allow the caffeine levels in energy drinks to increase three times than what is considered safe. Now the apex food regulatory body, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, is considering a 320 ppm limit for caffeine for a category of drinks called 'Energy Drinks'. 145 ppm was considered as a safe limit for caffeine and was scaled down from the existing 200 ppm. Like letting us know what all those legal additives and chemicals that are increasingly part of the food chain are doing for the health of the nation.How much caffeine is good enough? The Central Committee for Food Standards (CCFS) in 2009 fixed 145 ppm (parts per million or mg/kg) as the permissible amount of caffeine in carbonated beverages (soft drinks). Or maybe they could focus their attention and our tax dollars on something less ridiculous and more fruitful.
Or campaigning to replace baristas with pharmacists. Why isn’t Health Canada regulating soda pop.
of caffeine, should you be knocking back a soda while you’re reading this. Oh, and the average can of Coke has about 35 mg. of caffeine, a grande has 330 and a venti, 415.Ī small Tim Horton’s coffee? Exactly the same amount of caffeine as that can of Red Bull. of caffeine.Īnd who drinks a short, you say? Exactly. of caffeine.Ī 236-ml short Pike Place Starbucks coffee contains 180 mg. Let us, then, compare a black Starbucks coffee with a can of Red Bull.Ī 250-ml can of Red Bull contains all manner of unpronouncable ingredients, and 80 mg. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
0 kommentar(er)
