Red Bull

Red Bull is the most popular energy drink in the world, according to market share. Red Bull is an
adaptation of the Thai energy drink Krating Daeng, which means 'Red Bull'. The company was
founded by Thai national Chaleo Yoovidhya and Austrian national Dietrich Mateschitz. Together
with his son, Chaleo owns a controlling 51 percent interest in the company; however, Mateschitz
is responsible for the company's operations through the Austrian company Red Bull GmbH.

Red Bull's slogan is "it gives you wings" and the product is aggressively marketed through
advertising, tournament sponsorship (Red Bull Air Race, Red Bull Crashed Ice), sports team
ownerships (Red Bull Racing, Red Bull New York) and celebrity endorsements

Ingredients

Red Bull contains taurine, glucuronolactone, caffeine, B vitamins, sucrose, phenylalanine,

and glucose. The beverage contains no high fructose corn syrup.

Red Bull GmbH also manufactures Red Bull Cola, which shouldn't be confused with Red Bull as it
has slightly different ingredients. Unlike Red Bull, the Cola contains the coca leaf, which has
sparked a controversy in Germany regarding minute traces of cocaine.

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 Caffeine intoxication). 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:

1. 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.”
2. Energy drinks should not be used for hydration.
3. 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.
 4. Energy drinks should not be consumed by athletes who are dehydrated.
5. Energy drinks should not be consumed without prior medical approval, by
athletes taking over the counter or prescription medications.

Red Bull's Claims

Red Bull claims to:

 increase performance
 increase concentration and reaction speed
 improve vigilance
 improve emotional status
 stimulate metabolism