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Red Bull
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Red Bull is an energy drink that is sold by Red Bull GmbH. In 2006, more than 3 billion cans were sold in over 130 countries.
Red Bull was inspired by Krating Daeng, an energy drink produced in Thailand that had been used for years by long-distance truckers, kick-boxers, students and others who wanted a boost. The founder of Red Bull created his own formula and flavor, and the company's main headquarters are located in Austria.
The first can of Red Bull was sold in 1987.
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Encyclopedia
Red Bull is an energy drink that is sold by Red Bull GmbH. In 2006, more than 3 billion cans were sold in over 130 countries.
Red Bull was inspired by Krating Daeng, an energy drink produced in Thailand that had been used for years by long-distance truckers, kick-boxers, students and others who wanted a boost. The founder of Red Bull created his own formula and flavor, and the company's main headquarters are located in Austria.
The first can of Red Bull was sold in 1987. One of their most popular slogans is "Red Bull gives you wiiings!".
Product
Marketed as an energy drink "to combat mental and physical fatigue", it contains, per 250 mL (8.4 U.S. fl. oz.) serving, about 21.5 g sucrose, 5.25 g of glucose, 50 mg of inositol, 1000 mg of taurine, 600 mg of glucuronolactone, vitamin B — 20 mg of niacin, 5 mg of vitamin B6, 5 mg of pantothenic acid and 5 µg of vitamin B12 , 80 mg of caffeine. The caffeine in one serving is similar to that found in an average cup of brewed coffee (typically 100 mg/250 ml cup, but 72 mg for a U.S. regular 6 fluid ounces cup of coffee) or twice as much as found in a can of Coke (40 mg/330 ml can). A sugar-free version has been available since the beginning of 2003. Sugar-free Red Bull is sweetened with aspartame and sucralose, as opposed to sucrose and glucose.
Red Bull has the flavor of a carbonated guarana drink. It is commonly used as a mixer with alcoholic drinks such as vodka, and is the base ingredient in a Jägerbomb.
Ingredients
A can of Red Bull from the United Kingdom states the ingredients as:
Water, sucrose, glucose, sodium citrates, carbon dioxide, taurine, agave,glucuronolactone, caffeine, inositol, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, caramel and riboflavin. In comparison, a can of Sugar Free Red Bull from the United Kingdom states the ingredients as: water, acidity regulator sodium citrates, carbon dioxide, taurine, glucuronolactone, sweeteners (acesulfame K, aspartame), caffeine, inositol, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, thickener xanthan gum, colours (caramel, riboflavin).
Taurine is a naturally occurring organic acid in the human body and is also present in foods like poultry, fish, and scallops. In addition to being an antioxidant, it is mainly used by the body during physical exertion and stress. In its natural form, taurine is derived from animal tissue, having been first isolated from bull (Bos taurus) bile, hence the name "Red Bull"; however, the taurine used in the Red Bull drink is produced synthetically. It is also the first energy drink to list glucuronolactone in its ingredient list. Glucuronolactone is a carbohydrate involved in detoxification. The chemical naturally occurs in the human body, but is also present in foods like grain and wine.
It has often been referred to have a similar taste to Dandelion & Burdock, a traditional British soft drink, drunk in the British Islands since about 1265. Traditionally it is made from fermented dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and burdock (Arctium lappa) roots, and is naturally carbonated.
Health effects
A review published in 2008 found no documented reports of negative health effects associated with the taurine used in the amounts found in most energy drinks, including Red Bull.
Commonly reported adverse effects due to caffeine used in the quantities present in Red Bull, are insomnia, nervousness, headache, and tachycardia (see ). In cases of extreme over consumption, death is possible.
A 2008 position statement issued by the National Federation of State High School Associations made the following recommendations about energy drink consumption, in general, by young athletes:
- Water and appropriate sports drinks should be used for rehydration as outlined in the NFHS Document “Position Statement and Recommendations for Hydration to Minimize the Risk for Dehydration and Heat Illness.”
- Energy drinks should not be used for hydration.
- Information about the absence of benefit and the presence of potential risk associated with energy drinks should be widely shared among all individuals who interact with young athletes.
- Energy drinks should not be consumed by athletes who are dehydrated.
- Energy drinks should not be consumed without prior medical approval, by athletes taking over the counter or prescription medications.
Anaerobic muscular endurance and work
A study conducted in 2007 on 15 healthy young adults, found that Red Bull consumption led to an acute increase in upper body anaerobic muscular endurance; however, no effect was found on either peak lower body anaerobic muscular work, or average lower body anaerobic muscular work.
Cardiovascular effects
The results of a single study conducted in 2008 showed that the ingestion of one, 250mL can of sugar-free Red Bull, in a sample of 30 healthy young adults, had an immediate detrimental effect on both endothelial function, and normal blood coagulation. This temporarily raised the cardiovascular risk in these individuals to a level comparable to that of an individual with established coronary artery disease.
Based on their results, researchers involved with the study cautioned against the consumption of Red Bull in individuals under stress, in those with high blood pressure, or in anyone with established atherosclerotic disease.
Red Bull representatives, however, stated that this observed increase in cardiovascular risk was not felt to be different than that associated with drinking a regular cup of coffee. They also stated that they believed that Red Bull must be safe, as it was felt the only way Red Bull could have such substantial global sales is if various health authorities had concluded the drink safe to consume.
There has been at least one case report of Red Bull overdose causing postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome in a young athlete.
A February 3, 2009 article in The Daily Telegraph called, "Red Bull 'may have triggered heart condition that killed student'"
reported on the death of a 21 year-old woman who died after drinking four cans of Red Bull and several VKs, a vodka based drink which also contains caffeine. It was believed, but had not been proven, that she suffered from a rare heart condition called long QT Syndrome. She was on medication for epilepsy. A medical examination found that there were no illegal drugs in her system. The article quoted a doctor as saying, "The QT levels may have grown over a few years, or it may have been artificially pushed over the limit by caffeine."
Advertising
Red Bull has an aggressive international marketing campaign. The numerous sponsored activities range from extreme sports like windsurfing, snowboarding, cliff-diving, surfing, Formula 1 racing, and break dancing to art shows, music, and video games. It also hosts events like the "Red Bull Flugtag" (German for "flight day" or "flying day") and other such contests. Red Bull is also sponsoring football teams, in Salzburg, Austria, and New York, and have included their company name in the club's names. By associating the drink's image with these activities, the company seeks to promote a "cool" public image and raise brand power. In addition, the slender container is used to suggest a "sexier" image than some other cola counterparts. Hence, this one energy drink has helped create a market for over 150 related types of merchandise, like Red Rooster (drink) and Blue lightning. British institution Advertising Standards Authority has upheld complaints about claims made in the publicity of Red Bull in the United Kingdom since 1997. Even with all of the concerns regarding Red Bull, in 2000 the corporation earned around $1 billion in worldwide sales and Red Bull held 65% of the market share.
In Malaysia, however, Red Bull does not use its "Gives you wings" slogan, but instead a single one-word slogan, Bullleh!, a word play on the Malay word Boleh (lit: Can be done) and the word Bull.
The first Wipeout games on the PlayStation had numerous in-game 'billboards' advertising Red Bull on them, but after the release of Wipeout Fusion none have been seen. Instead, the developers have created a fictional energy drink to take its place.
In the Playstation 3's new social app, Playstation Home, Red Bull has developed their own in-game island, specifically advertising its energy drink and the Red Bull Air Race event.
Litigation
Tesco's Kick energy drink was involved in a UK packaging design dispute during early 2007. Red Bull claimed Tesco's product was too close to that of their own product. The attempted legal challenge was resolved after Tesco decided to settle out of court for an undisclosed sum.
Since 2003, Red Bull North America has begun to combat "passing off." Passing off is a practice that many bars and nightclubs have used to save money, it involves them serving a less expensive energy drink to customers who order Red Bull. Red Bull has won many of these lawsuits including a settlement in Florida for $75,000 and in Illinois for $679,827.48 which includes $102,837.48 in attorney's fees.
See also
External links
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- Wired.com (June 2007)
- Medical News Today (February 2004)
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- CBC Marketplace (February 2005)
- Rebuttal to the CBC Marketplace article above (March 2005)
- Urban legends pertaining to Red Bull (October 2004)
- BBC News (March 2006)
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