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There was a period of time in my life in which I’d immediately go to my nearest convenience store and pick up the most appealing “energy drink” or “energy shot” anytime I felt that I hadn’t enjoyed enough sleep or just needed a little extra kick to get moving in the morning.
I’d always be quick to gulp the sludge down and hope it would do it’s job as promised by the clever words on the outside of the can or bottle. Of course, most people assume that energy drinks and shots aren’t “healthy,” due to the high sugar content. However, I think all of us subconsciously ask another question: “What else does this ‘magic energy formula’ contain?” A more direct question may include: “What exactly am I putting into my body?“
A major scare in the energy drink community originated from the product “Red Bull Cola.” Various states in Germany ran tests on the Red Bull Cola product and found trace amounts of coca leaf extracts. The headlines read “Cocaine found in Red Bull,” and the product was immediately banned from Germany. Although Germany requires the beverage to be classified as a narcotic under these conditions, Red Bull insists that its own tests showed absolutely no traces of Cocaine. Furthermore, they state that coca leaf extracts were a very common flavoring ingredient used by many different nations.
I think most people will look at this situation and essentially say, “Well, sounds like people were making too big a deal of all this. This doesn’t really sound all that dangerous.” They may indeed be right in comparison to other products. However, the company Red Bull did slip another interesting slice of “defense” into their argument that really didn’t settle too well with me:
“If you start examining lots of other drinks and food so carefully, you’d find a lot of surprising things!”
Was that actually supposed to alleviate the situation? That statement just makes me think back to the original question: “What exactly are we putting in our bodies anyway when we consume these energy products?” Depending on just how “surprising” these “things” are, maybe we don’t want to know anyway.
After my brief period of carelessly pumping energy drinks down my throat, I’ve had to carefully watch my sugar intake and other miscellaneous ingredients and supplements that can weaken the body’s digestive tract. You’d certainly be surprised how many of these so-called “energy drinks” will actually only wear you out in the long-run.
For now, I’m sticking with this:
Eiro Energy may not necessarily pack the same punch that a 24 oz can of Monster can offer you, but it does offer energy without the expense of loading up the body with garbage. Not to mention, the Eiro Energy formula actually consists of vitamins and Antioxidants that the body requires.
I can’t say I’m missing Red Bull all that much these days. I never enjoyed the flavor, and aside from the rare enjoyment of a random “Red Bull & Vodka” mixed drink, I don’t bother with the stuff. For those that are major fans of Monster, Red Bull, or any other popular energy drink product line (there are quite a few these days), I would urge you to be careful. Don’t suck the stuff down like it’s water on a hot, summer day. You probably won’t like the long-term results.
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- Mr. Ryz
RyzEiro@yahoo.com
