So are "energy drinks" the new cigarette?

[Twigsoffury]

Now that "they" have successfully ran a propaganda campaign against the "evils" of tobacco (I'd be more worried about the 35 liters of exhaust fumes you breath on a average daily basis..but thats just me) It seems to me that evil tobacco has just been replaced by a new substance to abuse.. caffeine a.k.a "Energy Drinks"


Seems like exactly the same thing that "big tobacco" companies did in the past.


Market it as the Cool and Hip thing to use, placing advertisements on Race cars and other "youth" style demographic...things. mass-spamming advertisements on popular venues and television channels targeted towards a younger audience. (i counted 8 caffeine related advertisements on the last episode of south park)

http://67.199.103.164/gallery/photos/2010-2011/2011-03-15_Smiths%20Holden%20Challenge/116%20-%20Promo%20for%20the%20Monster%20Energy%20car-3883.jpg



Just replace the word "energy drink" with tobacco next time you see a 5 hour energy commercial or advertisement for Monster energy drink.


http://surf.transworld.net/files/2009/02/17/am-winners.jpg


Wait until they find out Caffiene has been directly linked with FBD and research studies are starting to reveal that caffeine has a direct link to breast cancer in women...among other things.


In one study of 634 women with fibrocystic breast disease (compared to 1066 women without the disease), the occurrence of fibrocystic breast disease was positively associated with average daily consumption of caffeine

it'll be the propaganda war against energy drinks next.. lol mark my words.

[NightrainSrt4]

I couldn't really care about what they advertise. I don't tend to watch commercials or pay attention to advertisements.

Tobacco is nasty. All it took was one look and smell into a computer case from a smoker to imbed that thought into my brain. Energy drinks make me feel ill.

If they want to make a campaign to show the bad sides to things, then go for it. As long as we don't become any more of a nanny state and they don't take away my right to use those things then I'm fine and couldn't care less. I don't and wouldn't use tobacco or drink energy drinks, but I still wouldn't want my right to choose to taken. Aside from that, propaganda all they want; It doesn't really affect me in any tangible way.

All this IMO of course, but that shouldn't really have to be said.

[SXRguyinMA]

I love Monster energy drinks. Their new Rehab drink is awesome. Iced Tea + Lemonade + energy, non-carbonated = YUM :D

[mDust]

I wouldn't lump makers of the energy shots in with the rest of the crowd of caffeinated sugar-water pushers. I think most energy drinks are just over-glorified soda beverages. I've tried several and the majority were nasty and not something I'd want to drink again unless a gun was to my head. The shots actually have utility and work quite well. There was one I used to get when I was out late and had to be to work early. It was mostly just a B-vitamin, enzyme, and plant extract cocktail. I can honestly say it saved my butt more than a dozen times. No sugar and less caffeine than a cup of coffee.

Energy drinks are not the new cigarette though. Those are still just as popular as ever except doctors no longer recommend them like they did 40 years ago. If anything is the new cigarette, it's vaporized weed.

[Kayin]

I love purple Amp, but honestly, if I have to get work done it's high-quality coffee.

[Mark_Hardware]

So, really, are energy drinks that much worse than regular sodas? Obviously, there is much more caffiene, but I was surprised at the sugar content in comparison to soda.
My biggest concern would probably be when I see kids drinking it. But, for a few years now, we've been seeing kids drinking coffee, thanks to places like Starbucks and McDonalds making such yummy coffee drinks.

Dr. Pepper;
Nutritional Facts
Size: 8 fl. oz. (240 ml)

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *

Calories 100 0%

Total Fat 0g 0%

Sodium 35mg 1%

Total Carbohydrates 27g 9%

Sugars 27g 0%

Protein 0g 0%


*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.


Ingredients
CARBONATED WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CARAMEL COLOR, PHOSPHORIC ACID, ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL FLAVORS, SODIUM BENZOATE (PRESERVATIVE), CAFFEINE.

Note: In some markets, Dr Pepper is made with sugar instead of High Fructose Corn Syrup

Caffeine content 28mg/8oz


Monster Energy Drink
Serving Size
8 fl oz (240.0 g)

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value*

Calories 100

Sodium 180mg


Total Carbohydrates 27.0g

Sugars 27.0g

Vitamin A 0%

Vitamin C 100%

Calcium 0%

Iron 0%

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Caffeine content 80mg/8oz


Coca Cola 8oz bottle
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 bottle
Servings Per Container 1

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value*
Calories 100

Total Fat 0g 0%

Sodium 30mg 1%

Total Carbohydrate 27g 9%

Sugars 27g

Protein 0g


Not a significant source of fat calories, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron
Caffeine Content: 23 mg/8 fl oz

Now, for funsies, lets see the caffeine in coffee;

Type of coffee Caffeine (milligrams)

Dunkin' Donuts, brewed, 16 oz (480 mL) 143-206

Generic brewed, 8 oz (240 mL) 95-200

Generic brewed, decaffeinated, 8 oz (240 mL) 2-12

Generic instant, 8 oz (240 mL) 27-173

Generic instant, decaffeinated, 8 oz (240 mL) 2-12

Starbucks Espresso, 1 oz (30 mL) 58-75

Starbucks Vanilla Latte, 16 oz (480 mL) 150



So it kinda seems like switching to energy drinks is cutting back on caffeine, lol. Plus, how many energy drinks vs how many sodas do ppl drink in a day? I literally see people drink a 12 pack of soda in a day, easy. Grab a 32oz fountain soda on your way to work, there's a half a can of energy drink right there, with 4x the sugar.

[x88x]

So it kinda seems like switching to energy drinks is cutting back on caffeine, lol.
lol, yeah, coffee and especially espresso are much more heavily caffeinated than most energy drinks. Personally, when I do partake in energy drinks I prefer those that use things other than caffeine. ...partly because in college I built up such a high tolerance to caffeine that it was basically pointless anymore. I could down two 8oz Red Bull's (~80mg each) and it have no affect. But, if I got something that also had other stuff in it, like guarana, ginseng, taurine, B-12, etc, it actually worked with much lower doses. They also tend to give less of a crash, in my experience.

[Mark_Hardware]

Talking about crash, when I do drink an energy drink, I exclusively drink sugar free, to avoid that. Xyience, ftw! :D

[BuzzKillington]

Worst tasting/best working/probably the worst for you as it's 18years or older: Endorush (http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/bsn/end.html)

Hmm, looks like theyve updated the formula. Last I had it was probably 3 or more years ago and it literally tasted like liquid soap infused watered down fruit punch. lol

[Twigsoffury]

yes sheeple yes

[farlo]

coffee or tea for me. that's about as much caffeine as i get as i don't drink sodas.

[xr4man]

drink about 8 to 10 cups of coffee a day and smoke like a freight train. energy drinks come in way low on the list of bad stuff i do. lol.

(sometimes i drink half-caf coffee so it's not that bad)

[TheGreatSatan]

I can't stand energy drinks. I really hate Mountain Dew too. I just love coffee. Lots and lots of expensive imported coffee

[Fuganater]

Coke is my coffiee, milk, and energy drink. Can't drink tap water so we drink distilled which has nothing in it so I prefer pop. Although if I could get engrgy drinks here I would probably drink them again.

[mDust]

yes sheeple yes

really?
Do you consume meat from the grocery store? It's got artificial growth hormones that screw up the chemistry of our bodies.
Drink milk or dairy products? Most of it contains rBGH, which is carcinogenic in mice and humans.
Eat vegetables and produce? The list of chemicals sprayed on and around those is just about endless. Many are carcinogenic and/or toxic.
Older landfills were never lined to keep chemicals from leaching into your groundwater. Hell, if that's not bad enough, motor oil and other chemicals were simply dumped in the backyard for a century or more because of short-sighted thinking...if any thinking at all. Use Google to find out what the Big 3 did to the Huron River in the early to mid 1900s. It was the source of water for all of Detroit. Today people still can't swim or fish in it's lower parts and that's after it was 'cleaned' up. Upon further research you would find that it's not an isolated incident. Most industrial cities have very similar stories. Oh, you don't drink tap water?..only bottled? Well that's even worse since it's less regulated than city water.
I still can't figure out why the cancer rate is so high these days...:think:
The only way to make sure your food is safe in America is to farm every last bit of it yourself in soil that has been tested for dangerous chemicals. Good luck.

Caffeine is hardly a threat to you.

[Mark_Hardware]

Damn. And I wanted to live forever. Guess I'm going to die, just like everybody else...

[Twigsoffury]

really?
Do you consume meat from the grocery store?

Hah actually i rarely ever do, most of it comes fresh from the Triple bar S
(---S) ranch out in perkins since one of my best buddies dad owns the place i can go in 1/6th on a heifer or cow. so for like 300$ i can get enough assorted dead cow to stuff 2 deep freezers and feed a family of 3 for like man...almost a year or so. And i'm talking 24oz steaks, tubes of the leanest ground beef ever. 1/4 rack ribs.. hilarious sized portions of meat. i usually take out 1 piece and that feeds all of us with left overs for lunch tomorrow.

But yea pork and chicken comes from the store when were burnt out on steak





It's got artificial growth hormones that screw up the chemistry of our bodies.
Drink milk or dairy products? Most of it contains rBGH, which is carcinogenic in mice and humans.



get my milk from hiland dairy

http://www.hilanddairy.com/

all of there ranchers and farmers have pledged not to use bovine somatotroapin or however you spell that.




Eat vegetables and produce? The list of chemicals sprayed on and around those is just about endless. Many are carcinogenic and/or toxic.


yup have to wash and treat your vegetables properly, but still most of that s@#t has gotten into the veg/fruit itself. if they quit c@#k blocking modified food stufts so much we could probably do away with pesticides.





Older landfills were never lined to keep chemicals from leaching into your groundwater. Hell, if that's not bad enough, motor oil and other chemicals were simply dumped in the backyard for a century or more because of short-sighted thinking...if any thinking at all. Use Google to find out what the Big 3 did to the Huron River in the early to mid 1900s. It was the source of water for all of Detroit. Today people still can't swim or fish in it's lower parts and that's after it was 'cleaned' up. Upon further research you would find that it's not an isolated incident. Most industrial cities have very similar stories. Oh, you don't drink tap water?..only bottled? Well that's even worse since it's less regulated than city water.
I still can't figure out why the cancer rate is so high these days...:think:
The only way to make sure your food is safe in America is to farm every last bit of it yourself in soil that has been tested for dangerous chemicals. Good luck.

Caffeine is hardly a threat to you.



I'm not doubting that at all.

Norman, OK has almost 200x the "regulated" limit for Hexevelent-6 or something like that. Pitcher OK is a superfund site,a modern abandoned ghost city.


I'm just saying that the "big companies" have shifted duty in america from addicting the masses towards one product (tobacco) to another product (caffeine/energy drinks) and to me at least seem to be making a pretty good attempt at hooking a new generation to a new product.






Damn. And I wanted to live forever. Guess I'm going to die, just like everybody else...

Have you heard of the government's new 100% death tax?

[Collinstheclown]

Just drank a 24oz. Monster. Yummy. Now maybe I can make this day productive.

[mDust]

I'm just saying that the "big companies" have shifted duty in america from addicting the masses towards one product (tobacco) to another product (caffeine/energy drinks) and to me at least seem to be making a pretty good attempt at hooking a new generation to a new product.

"Addicting" the masses to a product is the goal of all large marketing departments. Subliminal advertising is everywhere and every demographic is targeted by something. I'll bet any of us could identify literally thousands of brand logos without even thinking about it, only because our senses are inundated with advertising every waking hour of every day unless we live or work in a pitch-black cave.

[crenn]

If you're interesting in advertising, you should look up the Gruen Transfer, it's a show in Australia that talks about advertising and how it works. There are segments available to watch on youtube.

There is a method of getting rid of the insects you don't want, but it's so radical, most probably would have heard of it or be willing to try it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_pest_management