Consumerist: Red Bull

A Medium Starbucks Coffee Has Over Four Times The Caffeine Of Red Bull, And Three More Caffeine Facts

Alex Chasick — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:23:27 EDT

The New York Times has a study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest on the health effects of caffeine. The study analyzes various claims made about caffeine, and it also offers a useful chart listing the caffeine content in typical drinks and foods. For instance, at 320 milligrams per 16 ounces, a Starbucks grande coffee has over four times the 80 milligrams of caffeine of a Red Bull.

Other findings by the Times and CSPI:

Unless you consume more than 575 milligrams, caffeinated drinks don't actually make you pee more.
Coffee does not increase the risk of heart disease or cancer
Even though it stimulates the metabolism, caffeine does not increase weight loss. It does aid exercise, however, by dulling pain and stimulating the body to burn fat instead of carbohydrates.

Sorting Out Coffee's Contradictions [NYT]
Caffeine Chart [Center for Science in the Public Interest]
(Photo: AutumnRedux)

Target's Red Bull Pricing Scheme Rewards People Who Pay Attention

Meg Marco — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:59:01 EST

I typically prefer to make jokes at Wal-Mart's expense. Target, however, is forcing me to make a joke with Target as the punchline. Every time I go into the store, I have to stand and gawk at the point of purchase Red Bull display. A 4-pack is $5.89 and the 12-pack is $19.99. Seems to me that you could just get three 4-packs for $17.67 and save yourself a cool two dollars. Also, this is Target's standard pricing for these items as I check every time I go in Target to see if they have wised up. Also, it saddens me to say that I have seen customers purchase the 12-packs. So maybe Target has it figured out after all?
Grey

Hey, Target just wants to keep you on your toes. Those who pay attention will be rewarded. Or something.

Health Risks of Red Bull & Alcohol

Meg Marco — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 20:29:35 EST

So-called energy drinks are popular, but are they healthy mixers? Apparently not. What a shock. From ABC News:

"You can hinder your respiration," said Roger A. Clemens, of the University of Southern California's School of Pharmacy. "From a public health perspective, you should not mix stimulants with alcohol."

According to Red Bull's website, the product (which has about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee) "supplies tired minds and exhausted bodies with vital substances that have been lost, while reducing harmful substances. It provides immediate energy and vitamins." Oh! Vitamins! It must make binge drinking healthy!

"A Brazilian study found that college students didn't perceive themselves to be as intoxicated as they really were. The study indicated that drinking alcohol and Red Bull together significantly reduces the perception of headache, weakness, dry mouth and impairment of motor coordination." So, it works then? In all seriousness, binge drinking is bad for you energy drink or no. Just ask the chicks on "Girls Gone Wild."—MEGHANN MARCO

Red Bull Not the Best Mixer [ABC News]