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It’s 3 a.m., and you’ve just started studying for the midterm from hell. You’ve already tried gulping down a Diet Coke or two, and at this point, sleep equals failure. You might have studied before watching re-runs of The Office and uploading pics to Facebook, but this is no time for regrets.
So, what do you do? If you’re like most college students, you head to the nearest convenience store and purchase your favorite energy drink before getting down to business.
Energy drinks. those new campus staples, have come to dominate entire passages of the drink department. They range from sugar-free to “’quila-lime-flavored,” and come in all sizes, from the meagre 8.3-oz Red Bull to the seemingly dangerous 32-oz Monster. The additives, ranging from guarana to taurine, have the potential for mutative health effects but no evidence to speak of yet has surfaced. (Contrary to popular myth, taurine does not come from bull testicles.)
So, what’s the appeal? Is it the taste? Or the short-lived buzz provided by these caffeine-loaded concoctions?
To compare these monstrously popular beverages, the DT Weekend lab pitted six varieties against themselves and each other in search of the truth.
After the 7-11 clerk questioned the sanity of this mass purchase, he said Red Bull and Monster are his most popular sellers. I was determined to find out for myself if this popularity contest could stand up to the test of taste.
The sample included the original flavors of the following aptly named drinks, each priced at $2.49: Full Throttle, Amp, Red Bull, Rockstar, Spike Shooter and Monster. The labels were hidden as not to influence the experiment.
In terms of flavor and overall drinkability, Full Throttle came in first place, with Spike Shooter at a close second. Red Bull came in dead last.
Full Throttle won the overall taste test because it tasted least like an energy drink. I compare it to a Mountain Dew. Amp, a product of Mountain Dew, has that lemon-lime taste but is too thick to enjoy. It’s much like a soft drink that has lost its carbonation.
Rockstar and Monster taste very much like a “typical” energy drink with a syrupy texture, brownish color and a flavor that stands in a class of its own. Monster has a slight edge because of its fruity aftertaste.
Red Bull was the only drink I correctly identified during the test and the only one I had to force myself to finish. Usually referred to as the original energy drink, it has the traditional flavor off of most other energy drinks are based.
Spike Shooter won for the most unique-tasting energy drink with its strawberry flavor and soda-like consistency. As an added bonus, Spike Shooter also serves as a dietary supplement that does not contain calories, carbs or sugar.
However, the warning label reads like a bottle of Viagra. “Do not use if you are under the age of 18 or elderly. Do not use if you suffer from migraine or have asthma. If you have trouble sleeping, do not take within six hours of bedtime. Keep out of reach of children. Never exceed one can daily.” The list goes on, and with 300 mg of caffeine per 8.4-oz can pumping through my system, I could probably ramble on about them for hours.
Many weekend warriors enjoy bombastic alcohol-caffeine blends such as Jagerbombs and Vodka Red Bulls. A strong-tasting drink mixed with an even stronger-tasting drink is a perfect pairing, but mixing caffeine with alcohol can have negative effects on the heart and central nervous system, such as cardiovascular risks, shortness of breath and an increased heartbeat. Also, because both beverages are diuretics, it is easier for the body to dehydrate.
Sixth Street aside, most students drink energy drinks for the extra boost of caffeine that coffee or a Coke just cannot provide. The FDA official limit for soft drinks is only 71 mg of caffeine per 12-oz can; however, a regular Coca-Cola or Pepsi averages out to less than 37 mg per can. An 8-oz cup of coffee can range from 102 mg to 200 mg of caffeine.
The taste does not seem to be a factor. Justin Cowley, an education senior, said that he only drinks them before a big test, despite the not-so-favorable flavor.
Evan Blackwell, an advertising senior, agrees with this reasoning. “I drink them to stay awake. I can only tolerate the grape-flavored Monster,” he said.
The bottom line is we could all use a little extra energy. The caffeine is certainly in abundance, especially if you’re brave enough to finish the tasty but overloaded Spike Shooter. As for the more traditional energy drinks that contain fewer milligrams of caffeine, like Red Bull and Rockstar, give your taste buds a break and try some coffee-flavored ice cream instead.
