Reader’s Poll: What is the Definition of an Energy Drink?
Instead of cooking up some material for you to consume, this time around I’m turning to you Energy Fiends, to tell me what you think.
Here’s the subject: the energy drink market has proliferated so extensively that it’s become imperative to create boundaries for our definitions of an “energy drink”.
For example, consider these three types of products which all exist: flavored water with ginseng and gingko biloba, a vitamin-enriched smoothie with extra B-vitamins, and a soda with extra caffeine.
Can we call any of these energy drinks? What if that flavored water packed in some taurine and guarana? No? What if the B-vitamins in that smoothie offered over 3,000% of your daily value? What if the caffeine in the soda is over 100mg?
If we can get enough responses from readers, it just may be possible to establish a definition that we can all follow! For me, the drink must either explicitly mention an ability to boost your energy, or directly use the word, “energy.”
So, readers, where do you draw the line?
What is the definition of an Energy Drink?
- Any drink with multi-energy enhancing ingredients such as vitamins, caffeine, and taurine. (51%, 84 Votes)
- Any drink with more than 100mg of Caffeine. (20%, 33 Votes)
- Any drink that has at least one energy enhancing ingredient. (13%, 22 Votes)
- An energy drink must have caffeine in it. (8%, 13 Votes)
- Any drink with the word energy on the can/bottle. (5%, 8 Votes)
- Other, add your comment below. (3%, 6 Votes)
Total Voters: 166
Loading ...Written by Dusty Smith
13 Comments
As a collector, I’ve suffered endlessly with this question; and I’ve finally nailed it down to a set of criteria:
-If it’s marketed as an energy drink, regardless of ingredients.
-If the drink contains taurine.
-If it contains caffeine, with intent to energize.
-If it contains some common energy drink ingredient, with an intent to energize.
-Only canned convience-store coffee counts; energy drinks are always comparing themselves to coffee, and if it’s in a can in a gas station, it has the same intent as an energy drink. If it’s some foofy Starbucks Mochafrapacappachinoieatograndeventihula stuff, it’s for taste and doesn’t count.
-Tea doesn’t count; it’s meant to “sooth,” “enlighten,” etc…
does it really matter?
I chose, “Any drink with the word energy on the can/bottle.” If it’s marketed as an energy drink or a drink that promises energy but doesn’t say “energy drink,” then I consider it an energy drink. Only reason I didn’t chose, “Any drink with multi-energy enhancing ingredients such as vitamins, caffeine, and taurine” is because a drink can contain caffeine and vitamins and not be an energy drink, like some kind of enhanced tea, so it isn’t always the case.
Gah. I hate when there’s more than one right answer. “Any drink with multi-energy enhancing ingredients such as vitamins, caffeine, and taurine” AND “An energy drink must have caffeine in it.” It’s got to have caffeine, but it has to have other energy ingredients, too. Something with B-vitamins and taurine but no caffeine is not an energy drink, but a Jolt-style highly caffeinated soda isn’t an energy drink either.
I want an energy drink that will make my heart explode. Also it should cause sever rage and make you berserk. I also think it should be packed with Meat, like some liquefied red bull meat. NOW THAT’S ENERGY!!!
Bare minimum 80 mg of caffeine per 8 fluid ounces. However, to be an energy drink proper, it’s gotta have the taurine and the B vitamins in there.
I think that the definition of an energy drink is something that’s both marketed as an energy drink and contains a lot of kick. It has to contain caffeine, of course, but like G said it’s got to have the taurine and B vitamins to be a real energy drink. Sodas with enough raw caffeine to jump-start a car shouldn’t count.
Drinks with stimulators and loads of vitamins, and usually carry warning labels…
I agree with Mr Angry. I want an energy drink that makes me feel like a savage beast, a real monster that is about to rip something’s head off just because I can!!! Immediate and long lasting intense energy is all I want out of it, I don’t care to know what’s in it.
My energy drink needs to 1: Help me focus on the task at hand whether its gaming, working or drinking more.
2) have at least 120mg of caffeine.
And that is all.
I guess vocabulary is dead, right along with science, liberty, etc. in the new “progressive” world.
“Energy” is not in these drinks. You will not get any “extra energy” from any of them. If you did, the “social conservatives” (translation: busybodies with guns) would ban them.
Our New Lord And Master, The Honorable Uncle O’Bama (may the peace and blessings of a mindless, easily-led socialist horde be upon him) has finally told you all you need to know. Here’s your new word: “STIMULATIVE”.
The energy comes from FUEL, of which, in these drinks, only sugar provides. I don’t have the equipment to perform a scientific study (hint, hint), but the FUEL from the fat reserves in your body, plus whatever carbohydrates and fat you have recently eaten, plus whatever sugar or complex carbs exist in your drink, are the only sources of ENERGY available.
All the amino acids, caffeine, etc. do is drive your metabolism faster than your natural rate, which does not increase “energy”, but actually increases (”stimulates”) your CONSUMPTION of “energy”.
In honor of our new Master, Lord Obama (may the financial resources of the Mindless Masses be upon him), and his Utopian visions of a glorious brave new economy, we should all start calling them “STIMULATIVE DRINKS”.
Call me when the price comes down. Meanwhile, I’ll be getting MY “energy” from “FUEL”, as in “FOOD”.
Jimbo, maybe in part you’re right, but you’ve oversimplified everything. The energy drink’s greatest achievement is not what it does to your body physiologically. What the energy drink does to your perception of energy, however, is where the magic happens.
Now, what goes into the modification of our energy perception does not always adhere to your statement. That is, not all of the effects of energy drinks are from stimulating natural digestive processes… breaking down glucose. The single most important component of the energy drink movement is caffeine. Caffeine has nothing to do with our breaking down of glucose. Rather, it slows the accumulation of the neurochemical adenosine, which is responsible for sleep debt.
To put it shortly, energy drinks do not supply only the natural energy you’re speaking of. They supply energy artificially by tricking your body into feeling like it’s there.
Whether it’s perceived energy or natural energy, the products still have every right to be called energy drinks. Who cares if the energy you feel from one of these drinks isn’t the real wholesome thing. I don’t. If it makes you feel energetic… if it gives you the energy to stay awake longer and complete tasks… it’s an energy drink!!
I usually only think of drinks as energy drinks if they make it obvious or it can be assumed that they are meant to provide energy. I think it’s a good thing that the line is getting somewhat blurred between energy drinks and all other drinks because it means that eventually some soda and even some water may provide the same kick as “energy drinks”. If that happened, energy drink companies wouldn’t be able to charge the ridiculously high prices that they currently do for their drinks.