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13 Energy Drinks In 3 Sessions

circletimessquare writes "As a member of the cult of caffeine, as I suspect many Slashdot readers are, I was pleasantly amused by this story in The New York Times entitled Opening 13 Cans of Whoop (reg req). Our brave reporter sucks down a number of energy drinks of various parentages and gives us the lowdown on their taste, appearance, ingredients, overall effect, and dubious appeal. Example: 'At this point, my energy level was not only elevated, it was speeding toward the red line. I felt myself staring holes through my computer screen, typing at five times my normal rate and thinking far too creatively about life questions like how many AA batteries I needed to buy when I went to the drug store. My mood was chipper. Too chipper.'"

6 of 374 comments (clear)

  1. Reg Free by bendelo · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here's a registration free link thanks to Google.

  2. related info: why jolt was limited. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    jolt cola was limited to 72mg dose of caffine per 12 oz soda do to food laws. (at least in the USA)

    which ironicly is less then coffee can be (normally 65-175 mg per 8 oz serving) and less then espresso (100mg per 1.5-2oz)

    http://www.freshcoffee.com/html/caffaq-1.html

    these energy drinks are not "soda" to get around the limit.

    LD50 for caffine is 150mg/kg
    (take your weight in kg * 150mg of caffine = a dose that has a 50% chance of killing you)

    200 pounds = 90.7 kilograms => 13.6 grams
    100 pounds = 45.3 kilograms => 6.8 grams

  3. Re:The good old days.... by PeterPumpkin · · Score: 5, Informative
  4. Re:caffeine by The+Analog+Kid · · Score: 5, Informative

    Caffeine is actually benefical, it can help reduce asthma attacks, it helps prevent stone formation, it can help reduce the risk of colon cancer and it's an anti-oxident. There are a lot of others which I won't post here, but a quick googling will turn them up, but sure, too much caffeine like anything is bad for you.

  5. Re:caffeine by duffel · · Score: 5, Informative

    Indeed. Most people don't realise it is actually physically addictive.

    Adenosine is a chemical messenger that tells cells to slow down. Caffeine, being structurally similar, can block adenosine receptors in the brain, and thus prevent this slowdown.

    However, your brain cells compensate to prolonged exposure by creating more and more adenosine receptors... meaning that you'll be really tired unless you block them with caffeine. Repeat ad addictum.

    Check here and here for more info.

    On a more personal note, I always find that drinking something with tons of sugars in it keeps me active far longer than caffeine alone. Caffeine just makes me burn through my energy reserves faster, resulting in me being even more tired after a while.

  6. Re:Whatever by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Almost any sweet beverage you can buy at the supermarket will dehydrate you more than it will hydrate you thanks to all the added sugar they put in those things

    False. 100%, completely, absolutely, totally false. Sugar does not contribute to dehydration except insofar as it may contribute to diarrhea.

    Sugar doesn't interferes with the takeup of water; is even specifically added to oral rehydration treatments because it improves bodily takeup. And the metabolization of sugar releases water, rather than taking it up.