Red Bull, a caffeine and taurine-based 'energy drink', was first invented by an Austrian, Dietrich Mateschitz, who took his original inspiration from a drink he'd encountered in the Far East. Red Bull was launched in Austria in the late 1980's and spread throughout the world fairly quickly ... Read review
Advantages: Refreshing, Invigorating, Low in Calories, Keep You Alert Disadvantages: Some Dubious Ingredients & Quite Expensive...
Red Bull, a caffeine and taurine-based 'energy drink', was first invented by an Austrian, Dietrich Mateschitz, who took his original inspiration from a drink he'd encountered in the Far East. Red Bull was launched in Austria in the late 1980's and spread throughout the world fairly quickly thereafter.
I started drinking it in the nineties, along with another, less readily available product that came in a garish green ... ...In short, I was a Red Bull junkie. I secretly suspected that it probably wasn't all that good for me, but carried on drinking it all the same.
THE LOOK: Red Bull stood out from the outset, packaged as it is in a rather stylish fashion, in a sleek, narrow (and slightly unusual) 250ml can. Beneath the logo, two red & raging bulls charge at each other in front of an enormous yellow sun. When the brand reached its zenith, in the ... more
Red Bull, a caffeine and taurine-based 'energy drink', was first invented by an Austrian, Dietrich Mateschitz, who took his original inspiration from a drink he'd encountered in the Far East. Red Bull was launched in Austria in the late 1980's and spread throughout the world fairly quickly thereafter.
I started drinking it in the nineties, along with another, less readily available product that came in a garish green can. I drank Red Bull as though it were going out of fashion, and looking back, maybe it was. I drank it thoughtlessly, carelessly, incessantly, whether in a glass with ice, or gulped directly from the can, mixed with vodka or all on it's own. It insinuated itself into my routine, in a wicked, seductive way, always perking me up and keeping me going. In short, I was a Red Bull junkie. I secretly suspected that it probably wasn't all that good for me, but carried on drinking it all the same.
THE LOOK: Red Bull stood out from the outset, packaged as it is in a rather stylish fashion, in a sleek, narrow (and slightly unusual) 250ml can. Beneath the logo, two red & raging bulls charge at each other in front of an enormous yellow sun. When the brand reached its zenith, in the late 1990's, those bulls were everywhere, and I recall counterfeit Red Bull t-shirts doing a roaring trade in the back street markets of Koh Samui one long-ago summer…
The Sugar-Free version was introduced to the UK market in 2003, almost as an after-thought. I can't picture 'Sugar-Free' t-shirts ever being quite so popular, somehow, and the packaging of this version is slightly more insipid. It is identifiable by its pale, apologetic blue tinge. The claims, however, remain the same. Red Bull Sugar-Free, it seems, 'Vitalizes Body and Mind'.
SUGAR-FREE this Red Bull may be, but in an age of synthetic sweeteners, the fact that a product is sugar-free needn't mean that it isn't sweet… In this case, however, despite being sweetened artificially (and pretty comprehensively too, I might add) this isn't a particularly sweet drink. If anything, it's actually rather sour.
THE CAN opens with a discreet little click and fizz, and the aroma is so strong that it escapes almost immediately. Pouring the drink into the glass, this smell becomes stronger, a sweet and artificial aroma that hangs in the air. It is a little reminiscent of a sweet and sickly infant's cough syrup, or of those synthetic sugar & spice scents applied to Hello Kitty erasers, or Scratch & Sniff stickers. Whatever this aroma is, it is clearly, deeply unnatural, redolent of the laboratory rather than any organic source. Unsurprisingly, a cursory glance at the ingredients confirms this suspicion beyond all doubt. (Acesulfame, anyone? How about a drop of Phenylalanine in your favourite tipple?) Red Bull Sugar-free is the same light yellow colour as its full-sugar equivalent, a little like the colour of weak beer or apple juice. The drink is carbonated, but only 'lightly'. It fizzes and bubbles up if poured over ice, for example, but this recedes fairly quickly and the carbonation doesn't last long if left. I rather suspect that this light carbonation is intended to enable it to be drunk quickly.
THE TASTE is sharp and acidic, almost metallic, with (once again) a decidedly chemical aftertaste. As mentioned, it actually isn't all that sweet, certainly not as sweet as the original Red Bull. There is a faint citrus twinge, but this is barely discernable. If pressed, I think the flavour might be best described as a Tonic-water & cough-syrup-cocktail. Sugar Free Red Bull is certainly tarter in flavour than the original, and the difference between the two is quite a bit more pronounced than it generally is with 'Diet' or 'sugar free' versions of other drinks. Although certainly refreshing if served very cold, you probably wouldn't drink it 'Just for the Taste of it'. And whilst I do like Red Bull, I don't really like this. Furthermore, I'm rather tempted to wonder how many people actually do?
In some respects, of course, the taste of Red Bull Sugar-free is frankly immaterial. It is largely drunk for what it is, and what it does (or is claimed to do) rather than what it tastes like. It is a high-octane drink, a drink in a hurry, designed to be slammed down fast and forgotten about, not lingered over or sipped politely.
THE BIG SELLING POINT with Red Bull is that it 'Vitalizes Body & Mind'. A further statement on the can announces that Red Bull Sugar-free is 'especially developed for periods of increased mental and physical exertion'. It is furthermore claimed to 'improve performance, increase concentration and reaction speed, improve vigilance and stimulate metabolism'. So does it? Well the short answer is probably yes. In my experience Red Bull Sugar-free does do what it says on the tin, both proverbially and literally. It refreshes, it enlivens and it invigorates, and this can't all be down to the caffeine, as there's no more of that in a can of Red Bull Sugar-free than there is in an average cup of coffee. Normal Red Bull is loaded with sugar, so could reasonably be expected to produce an energy rush on that basis alone, but of course this doesn't apply to the Sugar-free version. So what's its secret?
THE INGREDIENTS: You'd probably need a degree in Chemistry to make head or tail of the table of contents, a rather alarming little list which includes Glucuronolactone, Taurine, Asesulfame K, Caffeine, Inositol, Niacin, Panthogenic Acid, Vitamins B6 (100% RDA) & B12 (200% RDA), Xanthan gum and Phenylalanine. Red Bull Sugar-free contains no fat, no sugar, no carbohydrates, no protein and just 14 kj (or 3 calories) per 100ml.
Glucuronolactone is a 'naturally occurring' chemical compound produced by the metabolization of glucose in the human liver. It is a popular ingredient in body-building supplements, and is reputed to 'accelerate the elimination of harmful substances, and to have a detoxifying effect. There have been (unsubstantiated) links between this substance and brain tumours, which have been adressed and largely debunked.
Taurine (from 'Taur' as in 'Ox' as it was first discovered in Ox bile) is otherwise known as 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid. It is a 'conditional' amino acid which has been used with varying degrees of success in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions, including liver and cardiovascular diseases. It is believed to enhance the effects of caffeine, and thereby stimulating the nervous system, hence its popularity in a variety of energy supplements and drinks, such as Red Bull.
Phenylalanine is one of the essential amino acids found in proteins, and occurs naturally in many foods. It is found in many artificial sweeteners. Although harmless in small quantities, Phenylalanine has a rather nasty reputation, because when taken in very large doses it can become a neurotoxin.
Red Bull Sugar-free is certainly a refreshing and 'Vitalizing' drink, but not one to be trifled with. It is essentially a recreational drink, and certainly not suitable for children, or anyone with sensitivities to caffeine or any of its other ingredients. Personally, I prefer the original version anyway. It tastes better, and has far fewer nasties, which more than compensates for those few extra calories. Neither drink, however, should ever be taken in excessive quantities.
Red Bull Sugar-Free generally retails at around 90p a can at supermarkets, and a little more at smaller retailers.
Advantages: Keeps you awake and alert Disadvantages: keeps you awake!!! ( 2 sided argument there)
Sugar free red bull. Im sure everyone has heard of the high caffeine energy drink available at most supermarkets. Some people like it with vodka. Some people like it on its own. Some people need it to keep them awake and some people use it to get plain HYPER!!!
Ok where to start. Red bull is a high caffeine energy drink on the commercial market that retails for about 99p per can at local supermarkets. You can also get it in 4 and 6 packs and even ... ...It-
Lots of people drink red bull for different reasons. Some people use it to keep them awake whilst driving at night (in-fact the AA and the RAC recommend you have a can spare for long car journeys) some people use it to improve performance at sports and some people might drink it at clubs to stay partying all night long.
-What is in it-
Ok the main ingredients of sugar free red bull are as follows
Taurine
Caffeine
Plus many more weird and ...
ILIKEMONEY 10.03.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Red Bull Sugarfree Energy Drink
Advantages: TASTES NICE, HELPS KEEP YOU AWAKE Disadvantages: DOES NOT ACTUALLY GIVE YOU WINGS
Red Bull is a very popular drink nowadays. It is certainly one of my favourites and my partners too. My partner drinks at least a can a day!
For those of you who do not know, Red Bull is a carbonated energy drink that comes in original and sugar free.
I usually drink Red Bull straight from the can during the day but in the evening it is nice to mix with alcohol. Vodka seems to be the most popular to mix it with at the moment but I have tried it ... ...have not noticed this with Red Bull. It is one of those drinks where you either really like it or completely hate it. The taste is quite hard to describe, it is sweet and is a kind of cross between cola and cream soda. It has an aftertaste similar to that of other fizzy drinks and is quite pleasant. To me the sugar free version tastes the same as the ordinary version.
THE SMELL
------------------
Red Bull, to me, smells very sweet and sugary. ...
sear69 12.05.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Red Bull Sugarfree Energy Drink
Advantages: Effective, Only 3 calories per can Disadvantages: Expensive, High levels of caffeine are bad for you
Red Bull markets itself as “the world’s number one energy drink”. It is not just your common or garden soft drink to be knocked back when you are feeling thirsty, oh no. Red Bull is a tonic or “utility drink” that is intended to be drunk to relieve mental and/or physical exertion, or as they put it “to give you wiiiiings!”. It has been around since 1987 when it was first released on the unsuspecting public in its home country of Austria (this rather ... ...was an American thing). Red Bull obviously went down very well, as it began to be exported from 1992 onwards. This latest incarnation of the drink – Sugar Free Red Bull – has been around since early 2003, and is now sold alongside its more famous partner in most shops that sell original Red Bull.
I have to admit that I was never a great drinker of the original Red Bull, I found it just a bit too sweet (probably something to do with the 27g of sugar ...
Collingwood21 23.11.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Red Bull Sugarfree Energy Drink
Advantages: Less sugar Disadvantages: High Caffeine
Red Bull gives you wings, ok yes, we have all heard this marketing line but it says what it is made to do, an Energy Drink to stimulate body and mind.
Red Bull is my all time favourite energy drink and the only one I would consider buying as I enjoy the taste and like the brand although I know it does not appeal to everybody. However, in 2006, more than 3 billion cans were sold in over 130 countries. That is a lot of energy! Red Bull contains a ... ...that a can of Red Bull contains about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee so in my opinion it is not that much. It seems to be a lot because I think people are more likely to drink quite a few cans of Red Bull in one sitting and don't really do that with coffee so that may be the difference. The caffeine and taurine work to increase your metabolism which in the short term improves concentration, energy, and endurance. Like any energy drink ...
Spottydog11 23.07.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Red Bull Sugarfree Energy Drink
Advantages: Energy, low calorie, no sugar Disadvantages: health benefits of sweetners is debateable, a weaker taste than the original stuff
...I stumbled upon sugar free Red Bull, as I'm in an almost never ending state of exhaustion energy drinks and chocolates bars have been coming to my saviour recently. As I've been through Lucozade, Powerade, Gatorade, Monster, Relentless, Rockstar and the original Red Bull I've had varying amounts of effects, with Lucozade alert actually being the best so far in waking me up, the original Red Bull coming a close second and Relentless tracking a long ... ...very similar to the original Red Bull just a lighter shade of blue. As we all know Red Bull have expended from being a well marketed caffeine drink into a bit of a global empire which has seen them own an F1 team, sponsor a plane racing competition and numerous other feats as they charge on to try and take on Pepsico and Coca-Cola head on in the drinks market. The drink has been marketed as giving you wings, and is there to help you out when you ...
iamasadlittleboy 01.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Red Bull Sugarfree Energy Drink
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