If you have severe chronic fatigue, sometimes redbull can be a life saver. If I’m struggling when having a night out or falling asleep at a family function, redbull can helps me keep it together for a few more hours. Maybe it isnt the healthiest way to get energy, but if you have cfs sometimes it can be the easiest way to get it.
Everyone knows that energy drinks (i.e Redbull) can give you a short term energy boost.
Do You Know What Is Actually in It?
Here are the active ingredients in Redbull that are resonsible for the increased energy.
Glucose – Obviously glucose is Sugar. Cells use sugar and can rapidly convert it into energy. This gives a short term energy boost as glucose is turned into sugar.
Taurine - Taurine is an amino acid that is naturally made in the human body. Each can of Red Bull contains 1000mg of Taurine. Taurine help to move minerals like potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium throughout the cells. This helps to generate nerve impulses.
There has been some controversy over the effects of high levels of taurine on the body. It is believed to be unfounded but there are certain countries that prohibit the sale of redbull.
Its sale is acutally prohibited in Denmark, France, Uruguay, and Norway. In France, Only energy drink without Taurine are sold.
Some CFS patients have actually been found to have low levels of taurine.
Glucuronolactone – Glucuronolactone is a precursor of taurine. It has be known to improve memory and concentration. It also can have stimulant and anti-depressant like effects.
Inositol – Inositol has mood boosting effects and improves how the brain uses serotonin. A chemical that is the same that is boosted by anti-depressant drugs like prozac and zoloft.
Some studies have recently shown that inositol may acually help treat certain problems like bipolar disorder, depression, and panic disorder.
Niacin – Niacin is a B vitamin that helps in energy formation. It metabolizes energy from fat and carbohydrates. Niacin can help the body use energy by releasing it from food.
D-Pantothenol – D-Pantothenol is also known as vitamin B5, or Pantothenic acid. It is known to improve mood and boost energy. D-Pantothenol help turn fat into energy and increases metabolism.
Pyridoxine HCL – Also known as Vitamin B6, Pyridoxine HCL helps red blood cells to form and provides better oxygen utilization. It also help to break down sugar that you have stored in your body to use for energy.
Vitamin B12 – B12 helps in the formation of red blood cells, for better oxygen utilization. It also help with energy production by breaking down fat and protein.
Caffeine – Red Bull contains 80.0 milligrams of caffeine which is almost double the amount of all other soft drinks. The caffeine in Red Bull gives you energy by blocking a chemical in you brain called adenosine. Adenosine promotes sleepiness and without it you would not be able to fall asleep. When adenosine is blocked you body releases a boost of adrenaline which wakes you up.
I sometimes use redbull to help me deal with low energy with chronic fatigue, but usually i pay the price .If you are looking for more information about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Click the link if you want to go the fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue forums.
I find it very interesting that this article glosses over the negative effects that red bull has on the body, that some of this is incorrect and also not cited. Taurine is NOT an amino acid. The use of sugar and high levels of caffeine can be dangerous because of the effects that can have on your blood pressure. The “energy boost” acts just like many other stimulants and can have detrimental effects on your cardiovascular system.
This is not to say that energy drinks should be banned. People should just be more aware of the effects that these drinks can have and the downsides should be well explained.
This article seems to be pro redbull….the negetive effects should be listed as well, because after all it does way more damage to our bodies than it does good.
I still love it though.
Adenosine promotes seepiness – I get seepy all the time
Redbull + vodka the best mix to get you going.
other than taurine, what’s wrong with redbull?
Taurine is NOT an amino acid. Please do not say that it is an amino acid, as this spreads ignorance. Taurine lacks a carboxylic acid, and doesn’t even have a carbonyl. Thus, it is most definitely NOT an amino acid.
As was stated, taurine is not an amino acid.
I have no opinion either way as to whether Red Bull is good or bad.
Right… so lets start with the idiot who said Taurine isn’t an amino acid:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine
Seems to me that it is an Amino Acid.. It even has an Amino Group on the molecule. Do some research before you attempt to correct some ones blog.
But…I do agree, they should have posted the adverse effects of drinking energy drinks.
From the Wikipedia article you cited:
“It is often called an amino acid, even in scientific literature, but it lacks a carboxyl group and therefore does not qualify as an amino acid in biochemical terminology.”
Been reading long?
Taurine isn’t an amino acid. Clearly having an amino group doesn’t satisfy that criteria. It even says so in your own link! Do some research before attempting to correct a comment that could not be more right.
Actually, Wikipedia said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine
“It is often called an amino acid, even in scientific literature,[3][4][5] but it lacks a carboxyl group and therefore does not qualify as an amino acid in biochemical terminology.[6]”
Be careful what you classify as a stupid comment.
The best mix for this is Red Bull mixed with Huckleberry favored Vodka “44 (degrees) North”. Its made in Idaho but I’ve found it as far south as Texas.
Do you know if any of these compounds pass the blood/brain barrier?
Very few compounds do.
Amino acid War… in the loosest sense it has an amino & an acid, so yeah.. it is an amino acid, just no biologist would call it such.
red bull ….bulls..t, try coffee and sugar, at home for 10 cents a cup vice red bull at 3.50. great marketing, if you can sell something for 3.50 and make it for 20 cents including the can…
waste your money if you like
Lol, ban energy drinks? It’s obvious that caffeine affects your body certain ways and people who need to avoid caffeine do. Everyone knows this stuff has caffeine in it. And you were wrong about taurine. Get your facts straight before you randomly criticize someone who obviously knows more than you.
To the above: Perhaps you should do some research on your own links before you snap back.
From Wiki: “It is often called an amino acid, even in scientific literature,but it lacks a carboxyl group and therefore does not qualify as an amino acid in biochemical terminology.”
Seems to me like it’s called an Amino Acid purely to make the life of Bio-chem writer that much easier. But in reality, it is not an Amino Acid.
Wikipedia is wrong. It is most certainly NOT an amino acid. It lacks the basic amino acid backbone -NH2-C(H)-CO2-
The author left out the most important ingredient: placebo. Placebo, like taurine, is not an amino acid. Placebo is your imagination. Note that the caffeine level, described here as being twice as high as in other soft drinks, is considerably less than the amount found in a cup of coffee (about 100mg).
Wow, what a bunch of women.
Yes, Taurine is soooooo very bad for you… you wonder why the main stream media peddles fear. An article doesn’t blindy rave about the convential wisdom that red bull is terrible for you and throw a fit.
Everything is about moderation. Bravo to the author for avoiding the temptation to hop on the “new must be dangerous” bandwagon.
The article doesn’t mention the negative side effects because Red Bull doesn’t contain anywhere near LD50 or non-GRAS levels of anything… looking at wikipedia, even for Taurine it looks like you would need 7 of them to reach non-GRAS levels. If you are drinking 7 red bulls at a time you lack common sense and this is merely evolution taking place.
I think you cleared the part about it not being an amino acid. The people that continue to pound on it proves the lack of reading skills. Dwell elsewhere.
I know everyone loves to debate and argue on here, but how did you all stray so far from the original topic? How DOES Red Bull affect the brain?
Um…I am an amino acid and i’m telling you guys Taurin is definitely not one of us. we wouldn’t be seen in public with a wannabe like Taurine.
RedBull makes me feel goooood! It’s just so expensive!!! I stick with the generic powder mixes they sell out Wal-Mart. Coffee is cheaper but it doesn’t have all the B Vitamins and complicated sounding stuff in it (like Taurine) that people are arguing about in this thread.
Placebo or not i find red bull (and variations of) do help me stay awake overnight at work or out partying. I do also find more then two in a night makes me feel a bit crook. Im a 1 cup of coffee a day person and find that picks me up in the morning also.
Placebo or not, brilliant marketing and the use of “buzz” ingredients like “Taurine” and “Caffeine” will have the masses swilling it down like water for years to come.
All this Taurine talk is making me drowsy…I’m going to get a Red Bull.
I’m an Amino Acid and I’m getting a kick out of these replies.
Rockstar is much better, it also has milk thistle extract which is great for Lowering cholesterol levels, Reducing insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes who also have cirrhosis, Reducing the growth of cancer cells in breast, cervical, and prostate cancers. Milk thistle is also used in many products claiming to reduce the effects of a hangover.
Thanks, ROB. Your check is in the mail.
soooo… Rockstar is a softdrink right? contains sugar eh? wtf do class 1 diabetics care about it?
damn hippies.
oh, and taurine ain’t an AA
oh, class 2…. soz
When adenosine is blocked you body releases a boost of adrenaline which wakes you up. I think it should be your.
Look. As far as I know, All energy drinks have their benefits and downsides. Though drinks such as Monster and Redbull may give you that “energy boost” that we all desire to make it through our days, they do have their downsides. I read through all of the comments above mine and I noticed that everyone was arguing about the position of taurine being an Amino Acid. Though I do not trust the information on the wikisite, I do agree with the fact that it is not classified as an amino acid. First off, amino acids are utilitized by proteins within the body, and if Taurine were capable of that, you would see body builders using it. I have heard of creatine causing “massive muscle build” but the claims aren’t true. Creatine, Taurine, and all these other chemicals you find in energry drinks are just additives to create that energy boost, and they do have their side affects. Hypertension and Drowsiness are definitly some affects. I guess there is a reasonm they say: “limit 2/3 cans per day” or whatever they put on the cans. Honestly, there shouldn’t be a fuss over this product. In my opinion… once in every great while seems ok for a drink like these is to be consumed, but on a daily basis can definitly be harmful towards your lifestyle. So to everyone: drink responsibly.
How much…??? $3.50 a pop?
Down here they’re selling em at US$ 35 cents
Hello, my name is Gary B and I am a taurine addict It all started out chugging the Red Bulls with vodka at my frat, made me feel good, and like I belonged. Later, I discovered I could get all that with taurine alone and now I’m popping 20 tabs a day. I get a calcium like crust on my skin, but boy if sure feels good otherwise.
Hey, seriously, Red Bull tastes like liquid gummy worms. It’s gross.
“Glucose – Obviously glucose is Sugar. Cells use sugar and can rapidly convert it into energy. This gives a short term energy boost as glucose is turned into sugar.”
This is incorrect, glucose is not turned into sugar by the body, on the contrary sugar and other carbohydrates are broken down into glucose by the body. The reason for the energy boost is that the glucose is absorbed into the blood in approx 5 minutes.
I can’t believe people actually reference wikipedia in-faith. You’d be better reeferencing a comic book
they usually go for around $3.00 – $3.50 here in australia.
Can we please to splitting hairs over the taurine is isnt an AA, can some with some definite answers explain what the negative side effects are from redbull other than the usual caffeine warnings.
IMO Redbull is fine in moderation and any side effects are not from taurine but from delayed onset of fatigue caused by insufficient rest and or nutrition kicking in after the caffeine and glucose are depleted.
Ideally redbull should offer redbull with a mixture of carbs and some protein / replacement minerals and multi vit.
The Indonesian redbull isnt real redbull, tastes completely differant. Comes in a dinky size bottle too, and only has 50mg of caffeine from memory.
Nothing is better than Natural Energy, like the “guaraná” fruit.
Why do people keep saying “it costs $$, coffee is so much cheaper!” ?
Who cares? I make enough money to afford to drink whatever i want, and coffee sucks. AND red bull is still cheaper than most of the drinks on the menu at starbucks too btw.
Taurine does not exist. It is made up in order to make you feel like you are getting something. Whether or not it is an amino acid is beside the point–you are just arguing about something that they tell you exists. You are just dust, and taurine is just crap. Red Bull is a red placebo drink.
Maybe we all have too much time on our hands if we can devote this much energy to the ideas surrounding an expensive can of caffeinated sugar water! (and even though I like the stuff occasionally, the description of it tasting like liquid gummy worms is absolutely perfect).
[Right… so lets start with the idiot who said Taurine isn’t an amino acid:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine
Seems to me that it is an Amino Acid.. It even has an Amino Group on the molecule. Do some research before you attempt to correct some ones blog.] – Was posted.
And you did your research on wikipedia???
Forget redbull that only helps some people for a temporary short period use olive leaf extract but it has to contain 20% or over OLEUROPEIN to cure cfs work up to 3 grams per day but watch out for die off.
Don’t drink it after last nights experience. IMO Its the RB that makes me loopy and the above causes that they are saying it causes makes me believe it even more. The increased nervous impulses definitely. I drank around 10 tins of the stuff last night (yes there was vodka in it, but thats not to blame!!)
The keeping you up all night – No. Got home, crashed right out! (once halfway coming out the toilet!) Normally when I drink it I am up all night.
Oh and all the talk about Amino Acids – Boring, who cares if they got that one fact wrong – if indeed it is.
I wouldn’t drink RedBull if it didn’t have Taurine in it. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. And you can always get it @ 2 for $5 at BP stations. BARGAIN!! CHEAPER THAN COFFEE!!
Coffee stinks your breath for the whole day anyway, so thats outa the question.
…
and WHO CARES if Taurine is an Amino Acid… if you’re so wrapped about amino acids.. go take L-Glutamine or L-Tyrosine tablets or whatever they’re called
I think redbull is very bas for you
But I guess one every once in a why is ok right
Just do not drink often
Yell yell yell! Angry angry angry!
I guess… those that like Red bull.. drink red bull.. those that don’t.. drink your coffee, olive leaf, and other natural extracts. You guys are ridiculous. I’m just looking for some information and facts but after reading all of your crazy arguments.. I’ve come out more confused than before.
Please don’t respond to this trying to tell me all your facts. The fact is, none of you seem to know anything and I won’t remember to visit this page again anyways. I just wanted you all to know you tried way too hard to prove your points and this topic is SLAUGHTERED now.
P.S. The wikipedia isn’t so bad. Don’t be so quick to completely disregard it.. but don’t be quick to believe it word-for-word either. Duh, it’s always a work in progress.. that’s the idea. Love it or leave it.