Study

ENERGY DRINKS

Energy drinks are types of beverages which strive to boost mental or physical energy. There are a myriad of brands and varieties of energy drinks. They traditionally contain large amounts of caffeine and other stimulants. Many also contain sugar or other sweeteners, and may or may not be carbonated.

HISTORY

In the UK, Lucozade Energy (an umbrella name for a series of energy and sports drinks that are produced by GlaxoSmithKline) was originally introduced in 1929 as a hospital drink for "aiding the recovery;" in the early 1980s, it was promoted as an energy drink for "replenishing lost energy."

Energy drinks are typically attractive to young people. Approximately 66% percent of its drinkers are between the ages of 13 and 35 years old, with males being approximately 65% of the market. A 2008 statewide Patient Poll conducted by the Pennsylvania Medical Society's Institute for Good Medicine found that: 20% of respondents ages 21–30 had used energy drinks in high school or college to stay awake longer to study or write a paper; 70% of respondents knew someone who had used an energy drink to stay awake longer to study or work. Energy drinks are also popular as drink mixers.

EVALUATING ENERGY DRINKS IN THE PHILIPPINES

MANILA, Philippines a trip to the local supermarket now will overwhelm you with a wide array of new energy drinks, with promises of mental stamina and vitamins, even boasting ingredients like royal jelly and ginseng.

What’s in a bottle?

Ingredients that supposedly enhance performance includes taurine, inositol and sodium citrate.

Taurine is known as a mild sedative, an age-defying anti-oxidant, and has the potential to steady irregular heartbeats. It regulates brain functions and helps improve memory. It’s also isolated from bull bile, although the drinks in the market use synthetically manufactured taurine.

Sodium citrate is used as a preservative in sodas and cheese spreads. It also converts glucose into lactic acid during exercise,...