Elite Facts Presents
10 Legal Drinks That Could Actually Kill You
10.
Rockstar – Loaded with Sugar
Rockstar sponsors extreme snowboarders, surfers
and BMX riders, and it is marketed as a product
that helps people who lead active lifestyles.
However, ask nearly any nutritionist out there
and it won’t be on the list of beverages
they’d recommend to athletes (or anyone
wanting to party like a “rock star”).
In fact, according to Men’s Health magazine,
the Rockstar energy drink has the same amount
of sugar per can as six glazed Krispy Kreme
doughnuts.
It’s pumped with even more sugar than Red
Bull or Monster as well as caffeine, guarana
seed extract and other stimulants.
Distributed by PepsiCo, this drink was named
in 13 “adverse event reports” between
2006 and 2012 according to the USA’s Food
and Drug Administration.
No deaths were mentioned, but the adverse
events included nausea, increased heart rate
and abdominal pain.
9.
Red Bull
Sales of Red Bull have surpassed four billion
cans in about 160 countries worldwide, firmly
securing its spot as a market leader in the
energy drink industry.
With the marketing slogan “Red Bull Gives
You Wings”, the product’s origins go back
to the 1980s in Thailand and then Europe.
It’s commonly mixed with vodka or other
alcoholic beverages and is known for its high
sugar content, as well as the “buzz” it
provides.
Despite its popularity, Red Bull has not been
without controversy.
Brooklyn man Cory Terry was a regular Red
Bull drinker who collapsed and died in 2011.
An $85 million wrongful death suit was filed
afterwards, claiming that the Red Bull ended
up killing him due to its reportedly dangerous
additives and stimulants.
8.
Nos – High Dose of Caffeine
Nos is an energy drink produced by the makers
of Coca Cola, named after nitrous oxide which
is used to boost the performance of NASCAR
race cars.
However, nitrous oxide is also sometimes inhaled
through balloons by users, causing a euphoric
high (or more dangerous side effects such
as sedation or analgesia).
In early 2012, actress Demi Moore was rushed
to hospital after doing NOS, also known as
“whip-its”.
Like other energy drinks, nutritionists are
most concerned with this drink’s high sugar
content and high caffeine content.
7.
Monster – Versus the State
Monster energy drink is another one that’s
pumped full of sugar and caffeine – and
one that’s come under a lot of scrutiny
in recent years.
In 2012, a lawsuit was filed against Monster
claiming that a 14-year-old American girl
had died in 2011 after drinking two big cans
of Monster in the same 24-hour period.
The coroner determined she died from a cardiac
arrhythmia, due to caffeine toxicity.
Monster’s lawyer said that the company found
there is no evidence to show that the consumption
of the drinks contributed to the girl’s
death and that their drinks are “safe to
consume”.
This has since sparked a lot of debate in
the US state of Maryland.
6.
Hype- Very High Sugar Content
This range of energy drinks was launched in
the 1990s by the founder of Hard Rock Café.
Hype is marketed as being not just an energy
drink, but in fact a lifestyle.
Its worst point has to be its high sugar content,
with almost 11 grams of sugar per 100mL of
the drink.
It also has caffeine, taurine, juice and other
not-so-good ingredients – which are thought
to balance out its “good” qualities such
as the added vitamins and pleasant taste.
The back of the can clearly states that people
should drink Hype in moderation.
5.
5-Hour Energy – Linked to Deaths
This drink, which is more like an energy shot
than an energy drink, has come under huge
controversy.
The Food and Drug Administration in the USA
has received numerous reports of health issues
linked to the consumption of these shots including
heart attacks, convulsions and even a spontaneous
abortion.
As they are technically a dietary supplement,
they aren’t always subject to the same strict
rules as drinks or food.
The company that produces the shot doesn’t
state the exact amount of caffeine inside
each serving, but it’s estimated to be more
than twice what’s in a regular cup of coffee.
4.
Frappuccino – Full of Empty Calories
Coffee isn’t always thought of as an energy
drink, but it is one of the world’s most
popular pick-me-ups.
As far as coffee goes, Starbucks Frappuccinos
are thought to be one of the worst choices
you could make thanks to their empty calories.
Yes, they are delicious, but the ingredients
turn them into a fatty, creamy, high-calorie
snack that will do little to aid your performance.
Frappuccinos have added ingredients such as
a chocolate, caramel, sugar and cream.
Last summer, the Daily Mail reported that
some Frappuccino drinks at Starbucks could
contain the same amount of sugar as roughly
30 digestive biscuits.
3.
Cocaine – 350% Stronger Than Red Bull
Naming a drink after an illegal drug is a
sure-fire way to get attention and prove just
how strong your drink is.
That’s exactly what Reduz Beverages did.
Their energy drink, Cocaine, contains more
than three times the caffeine than a Red Bull
as well as a huge amount of taurine.
It’s so strong that it was taken off the
shelves by the Food and Drug Administration
shortly after it was launched.
Marketed as a drink that may cause “excess
excitement, stamina, fun and possible feeling
of euphoria” it was re-released to the market
again being banned for a short time.
2.
Arizona Rx Energy – Is Not Effective
Appearances can be deceiving with energy drinks,
and this one is the perfect example.
Although it looks like it could be a special
recipe for the ultimate energy boost, with
its “herbal tonic” label, it actually
just contains a whole lot of sugar and about
the same amount of caffeine as what you’d
find in a weak cup of coffee.
With almost 350 calories per can, this energy
drink has about the same about of sugar as
six Pop-Tarts.
Reports show that the taste is good but that
it has very little effect in terms of boosting
energy.
On top of that, it’s not as widely available
as many energy drinks.
1.
Amp – The Caffeine of Three Coffees
Produced by the makers of Pepsi, this drink
has been heavily marketed around the world
and is growing in popularity among teenagers.
It is based on the taste of Mountain Dew and
was originally launched with the name Mountain
Dew Amp.
When consumed in excess, this drink is thought
to have serious side effects thanks to its
high levels of caffeine.
It is designed to “give you all the power
you need to Amp up!” according to its makers.
With lots of sugar and up to 275 calories
per can, it could put people at risk of heart
attacks, high blood pressure, insomnia, poor
dental health, obesity and more.
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