I have been attending another accident reconstruction school this week. I can honestly say that the lectures are not the most exciting things I've ever sat through. I was almost tapped out this afternoon. The eyelids were heavy and the head was bobbin'. During a break, I went to the restaurant in the host hotel and picked up a sugar free Red Bull. It pepped me up a bit. An hour os so later, I was aimlessly staring at the empty can during class when I happened to read the ingredients:
Carbonated water, sodium citrate, taurine, glucuronolactone, caffeine, acesulfame k, aspartame, inositol, xanthan gum, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hcl, vitamin b12, artificial flavors, colors
Nutrition Facts: serving size: 1 can; calories 10; fat 0g; sodium 200mg; total carb 3g; sugars og; protein less than 1g; RDA- niacin 100%; vitamin b6 250%; vitamin b12 80%; pantothenic acid 50%
What the hell is in this drink???
Here are some facts about a few of the ingredients in a Red Bull that were published in Wired magazine (one of my favorite mags):
Taurine was originally isolated from bull bile in 1827 (hence the name of the drink), but fortunately it is now made synthetically. Taurine's actual effects are wide-ranging - it is an inhibitory neurotransmitter (in some cases acting as a mild sedative), an age-defying antioxidant, and has the potential to steady irregular heartbeats.
Glucuronolactone- Hardly anyone has looked into exactly what this stuff does, and most research on this ingredient was performed 50 years ago - seems a little dated, don't ya think? Rumor has it that this ingredient fights fatigue and increases well-being - but this could be the "bull" that gives the drink its name.
Caffeine does increase concentration and reaction speed, as well as improve emotional state and boost metabolism. One can contains 80 mg of caffeine that is more than three times the caffeine that’s in the same amount of Coke.
Niacin aka, Vitamin B3, increases so-called good cholesterol (HDL) by preventing the formation of triglycerides, making it a terrific cholesterol drug. Unfortunately, there isn't enough niacin in a can of Red Bull to have this benefit. And it's not even pure enough to give you the mild head rush dubbed the "niacin flush."
Here is some info on the other ingredients that I looked up myself:
Inositol helps to promote healthy cell membranes that facilitate nerve impulses in the brain. It is also implicated in the act of serotonin, a neurotransmitter which has beneficial effets in fighting depression and worry.
Acesulfame-K was discovered in 1967 and is 150-200 times sweeter than sugar. Acesulfame-K is a highly stable, crystalline sweetener with a chemical structure is similar to saccharin.
Aspartame is one of the most common artificial sweeteners in use today. It is sold under the brand names NutraSweet® and Equal®. Aspartame is composed mainly of 2 amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are found naturally in many foods.
Aspartame is used in many foods and beverages because it is about 200 times sweeter than sugar, so much less of it can be used to give the same level of sweetness. This, in turn, lowers the calories in the food or beverage. Rumors claiming that aspartame causes a number of health problems, including cancer, have been around for many years. Many of these continue to circulate on the Internet.
Note: This from The National Cancer Institute- "Questions about artificial sweeteners and cancer arose when early studies showed that cyclamate in combination with saccharin caused bladder cancer in laboratory animals. However, results from subsequent carcinogenicity studies (studies that examine whether a substance can cause cancer) of these sweeteners have not provided clear evidence of an association with cancer in humans. Similarly, studies of other FDA-approved sweeteners have not demonstrated clear evidence of an association with cancer in humans."
Calcium pantothenate aka Vitamin B5, is a water soluble vitamin which is found in the cells. Vitamin B5 is produced in the intestines by bacteria and is known to place a role in preventing depression.
Pyridoxine hcl aka Vitamin B6 is essential for amino acid absorption, metabolism and transport, the formation and growth of red blood cells, and for the utilization of many substances used by the nervous system. A deficiency of Vitamin B6 may be associated with side effects associated with irritability, weakness and nervousness.
The body needs this B vitamin to make blood cells and to maintain a healthy nervous system.
The body needs this B vitamin to make blood cells and to maintain a healthy nervous system.
A girl at the power meet I was 10 days ago was appalled when she thought that Chyna was drinking my Red Bull. She claimed that elite athletes would never drink the stuff. Really? I'm not so sure it is all that bad for you. What do you think? Post thoughts to comments.
******************************************************
MAKE-UP DAY 10/12/2011
Make-up a workout you missed in the last cycle....OR....do the Power Hour....OR....work on a skill....OR....rest!
POWER HOUR 10/12/2011
- Shoulder Press 3/3/3
- Push Press 3/3/3
- Push Jerk 3/3/3
******************************************************
