BREWED October 2014 | Page 16

By Bo Koot Don’t we all love to have a energy drink once in a while? We are all hard working students of course, and besides all the studying and partying we don’t have a lot of time to sleep. So sometimes it’s understandable that we just long for an energy boost. But do you know exactly what’s inside? What are the long term side effects of drinking this popular stimulant drink that looks like pee? The famous vodka red bull! Did you know that it is actually really dangerous to drink alcohol with energy drinks? I don’t mean to preach, but this is probably worth knowing: 220 calories 56 grams carbohydrates 18 % of daily intake 20 grams of sugar 1000 mg taurine 600 mg yeast 80 mg caffeine Alcohol has a calming effect and makes you feel chilled, so you feel like you can hit on the hot person at the bar. If you mix it with an energy drink you get a sugar rush, then the next thing you know you’re dancing like an idiot in front of the hot person at the bar. Anyway, the point is that you’re not in control, you’re actually pretty drunk and you don’t even know it. This mixed drink will also give you the ultimate dry mouth syndrome and you’ll be dehydrated, so grab a glass of water and maybe just a beer next time and you’ll keep your dignity Well, I hear you thinking; what the hell are all these ingredients when you walk over to the hot person at the bar. and what do they do to your body? A little bit of caffeine is never bad, but too much blocks the effects of adenosine. Now what is adenosine