As one of the most popular energy drinks on the market today, Red Bull® is said to have it all. Considered to be an excellent blend of vitamins and minerals that help individuals to perk up and get on with the day, Red Bull® is enjoyed by people all over the world. Here is some information about the origin of Red Bul®l, the contents of the energy drink, and some of the health concerns that are emerging about the product.
Understood to contain elements that help with both physical and mental fatigue, Red Bull® had its origins in Thailand and was adapted for sale in Austria. Since the dawn of the 21st century, Red Bull® has been sold in over a hundred different countries. By 2006, the United Kingdom and the United States represented the largest share of the market for Red Bull®, with over 260,000,000 cans sold in the UK alone during that year. While the formula has remained constant, Red Bull® did begin to offer a sugar free version in 2003, using aspartame as the sweetener in the formula.
The nutritional value of Red Bull® is said to come from the inclusion of a range of B-complex vitamins in the product. Vitamin B is often considered essential for the creation of energy in the body. Along with the B vitamin family, Red Bull® also contains significant amounts of taurine and glucuronolactone. It should be noted that the taurine is produced synthetically, and that the listing of glucuronolactone among the ingredients is a first among energy drinks. While caffeine is often touted as the reason why Red Bull® has such a kick, the fact is that there is less caffeine in one can of Red Bull® than in the average cup of caffeinated coffee. It is the combination of other elements that appears to provide Red Bull® with its ability to make an individual feel energetic for a short time.
One of the major objections to Red Bull® has been due to the taurine content. As a compound that is naturally produced in bull bile, Red Bull® uses a synthesized version. Some countries imposed a ban on Red Bull®, owing to concerns about that process of synthesization. Others based the ban on either the presence of glucuronolactone or the caffeine content. Claims of severe health issues that later proved to be unsubstantiated continue to circulate.
While the urban legends surrounding Red Bull® have all more or less been disproven, many healthcare professionals continue to discourage the consumption of Red Bull®. The objections come from recommending the use of other liquids to replace body fluids and staying away from any energy drink. Many energy drinks provide a temporary lift that is followed by a sense of being fatigued once the effects of the drink wear off. Some health professionals believe this artificially induced state could have long term implications for the physical well being of individuals, and urge the use of liquids with a more balanced composition of vitamins and nutrients to create an more long lasting and even sense of well being.
