Training & Nutrition - Red Bull.

I was reading the energy boost posts and I was wondering what the consensus on this board is about Red Bull as an energy drink?

I've used Red Bull under very specific circumstances,
and never for riding.
When I lived in Africa, when returning from dive trips,
we had a 1000m climb about 40 minutes from the coast.
Due to a combo of Nitrogen in the bloodstream from
diving, and the altitude you would become VERY tired.
this is not a good thing on a 2 lane road with lots of
twists and turns and no guard rails.
I'd drink a red bull about 10 minutes before hitting that
climb/pass. It seemed to work but I crashed kind of
hard about an hour later (no not the car, someone else
was driving then :lol: )
I don't think in cycling it would work. I have some doubts
about Taurine, Guarana etc. Look at all the
(justified) broohaha about Ephedra and Ma Huang.
nope, I just don't think its all that good idea.
just my $.02
Marty

Red Bull? no thanks.


http://www.epinions.com/content_9882668676

Guarana is just a source of caffeine. No rocket science there.

But doesn't it also have ephedrine in it? Not just caffeine. IOn combination they are many times more powerful than just coffee.

I haven't tried it because ephedrine is very illegal up here (arg it sucks) But when I was bodybuilding I did use supplements of similar chemical design for years(When I had a supplier in Ontario). You get several affects from it.

1 - Weight loss
1a - muscle retention. The chemical makeup stops the body from using muscle as a fuel and forces it to use fat
2 - slight increase in body temp (.5 to 1.5 degrees celsius)
3 - you are UP and very awake and more alert

Some downsides if you take to much

1 - you are WAY UP. This can cause sleep problems and headaches
2 - There are other similar ones to headaches but they generally varry.

Would I use it again? In a heartbeat if I could find a supplier. IMO it has been made illegal wrongfully. I know the risks and probably understand the supplement better than ANY doctoc I have ever seen. I know how much is safe for me and when and how to cycle it properly. That is my last warning too. Don't overuse and use to long. If you plan to use a supplement cycle it in and out. 6 weeks on a few weeks off. DRINK LOTS OF WATER:)

Originally posted by Maelstrom

Some downsides if you take to much

1 - you are WAY UP. This can cause sleep problems and headaches
2 - There are other similar ones to headaches but they generally varry.
Might I add to this
3 - Known to cause heart attacks
4 - Known to cause stroke
5 - Indicated in changes to psyche which can
lead to psychotic episodes or affective dissorders.

I think that about sums up why I won't be using any
ephedra.

Marty

But you can continue to add to that the caveats of those results. Known heart problems overuse or usage with other dietary or upper style drugs or use with halucinagenics. Sorry but taken as the dosage issues for your size there has never been a death...

As for number 5...is there any proof you can show me of that. I know that claim on steroids but this is the first I have ever heard of it with ephedra (which btw has been used in its purest form for 1000's of years in Asia)

FDA (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpephedr.html)
fda2 (http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-ephe2.html)
ohio state university (http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5409.html)
CNN report on HHS action (http://www.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/06/14/hhs.ephedra/)
health canada (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/protection/warnings/2002/2002_01e.htm)

Maelstrom,
I have no problem with use of stimulant (i.e. coffee/guaranna
etc.) but Ephedra is dangerous. Do a google search on
Ephedra, 1/2 the returned sites are for lawyers offering to
sue everyone and their dog because of ephedra.
The other problem with it is, alot of the supplements are
using a synthetic version of Ephedra, and god knows what that
is doing to you.
Do the work, read the information out there (and not just
the nut case lawyers).
We tout health and fitness here, well personally I'd rather
take my chances smoking 3packs of marlboro reds a day than
take this crap.

Marty

It's great if you like massive nosebleeds after exertion (thins your blood) as well as the SHARP dropoff in your "high" afterwards. STAY AWAY AT ALL COSTS!!

If you have to use it stick with the herbal form Ma Haung not standardized extracts or synthetic version as I recall there are other components in the herbal form that counter the dangerous negative side effects(though not the wired feeling).It is more useful as a fat burner(speeding up metabolism)rather than an energizer and I definately would only use it with low intensity activity/exercise.I could never tolerate it on an empty stomock when it is reportedly most effective or during activity more intense than walking and use to occasionally drink it in a bodybuilding formula that contained 20 grams of whey protein and 20 grams of complex/simple carbs and viewed it as more a meal replacement when I was away from home and engaged in low intensity activity such as beach or mall.I don't miss that they no longer make the formula and have not used ma haung in a number of years.

They had Red Bull on the Cycle South Carolina this year. I've never tried it before that.
All I know is, that when I drank one I needed to be near my bike!! It was GO TIME.

Thanks beowoulfe, for a minute there I thought I was losing my post to all the techno jargon about ephedrine and its side effects. All I needed to know was what people thought of it as an energy booster. :(

Originally posted by CycleMON
I was losing my post to all the techno jargon about ephedrine and its side effects. All I needed to know was what people thought of it as an energy booster. :(
CycleMon,

yah, you were losing it to technobabble, but we do that
here.
As I stated in original post (albeit not too clearly) its
an OK energy booster, but runs out rather quickly.
I wouldn't use it in a race situation or during long
organized rides.

Marty

God yeah it is a stimulant in the same classification of 'speed'. BTW is it legal or illegal in the states. I know it isn't allowed up here. And what in the world does it tastes like. Ephedra isn't the tastiest supplement.

Lotec thank you for the documentation it was an interesting read. But as it continuously states the problems relating to the many side affects (granted there are lots) is of overuse. As for the pyscosis I believe you would have to be predisposed to that. Those articles mention it once and unless I saw the medical studies where there was a case of mental disturbance caused by ephedra I have a hard time believing it.

Cheers.

All that about Red Bull is pure crap. It is a fine energy booster. The can is the perfect size to fit in the jersey pocket and it works better than a can of Coke.
It is NOT dangerous, for me or anyone that I have heard, and doesn't even pump you up like an esspresso for me. I don't drink it that much but it has no ill effect and gives a good boost- about the same as liquid Enervit.
I like the taste and the only downside is that it is expensive. Try the Hansens Energy (taurine, ginseng and ginkgo) that works well too. Same size can.

Originally posted by RacerX
All that about Red Bull is pure crap. It is a fine energy booster. The can is the perfect size to fit in the jersey pocket and it works better than a can of Coke.
It is NOT dangerous, for me or anyone that I have heard, and doesn't even pump you up like an esspresso for me. I don't drink it that much but it has no ill effect and gives a good boost- about the same as liquid Enervit.
I like the taste and the only downside is that it is expensive. Try the Hansens Energy (taurine, ginseng and ginkgo) that works well too. Same size can.

I agree - other than cotton mouth (if you drink it while you ride) or a stomach cramp (if other types of caffine do this to you so will red bull) its fine. I personally don't like it for riding because of the carbonation - but a couple times when i was driving all night it came in handy.

I also don't, generally, drink RedBull because of carbonation and its high price, but I have had it before a ride. It works.

I tried it once and once only. I found that it did absolutely nothing for me except waste some serious $. I think the illusion of extra energy is created because one's wallet is so much lighter after the purchase.

:lol: There was an article some time ago in Outside Magazine to the effect that Redbull was 90% hype and 10% caffeine. The author had an amusing run-around with a rep about what "Taurine" actually is. If I remember correctly, Redbull has a curious history in Europe - I couldn't find the story online.

As an energy booster my wife and I prefer Hansens. It hits you slower, lasts longer and does not cause you to crash because it leaves the body slower. Also tastes better and you can buy it by the case at Costco relitively cheep.
Slainte:beer:

Hey dude that's where I got my Hansens stock- Costco has the deal. Plus with the coupon for buy 1 get 1 free, 2 cases for the price of 1!

*gnaws a powerbar thoughtfully

I have never tried Red Bull. However, I have done a considerable amount of reading on nutritional supplements and energy boosters. Opinions seem to be divided on the boosters. Those that say the boosters are the way to go probably have some reason for saying so.

I do know what has worked effectively for me. In the heat and sun I have experimented with freshly extracted celery and carrot juice. I would drink a quart of 50 - 50 mixture before doing my thing. Everytime after drinking the juice I noticed a definite increase in my resiliance to the sun and heat. Everytime I did not drink the juice I noticed a diminished resiliance to the sun and heat. The difference, while not exactly profound, was very definitely noticeable. I highly recommend it.

I found that while cycling over the Rockies, Snickers bars gave quite a boost, but after the initial kick I was left feeling somewhat frazzled. I also noticed an increase in energy by taking vitamins, minerals, and various herbs while cycling, including ginseng in liquid form.

On one tour on which I averaged eighty-five miles per day (flat land) I snacked on carrots and (what are those little round red vegetables you find in salads? They are so bitter as to be almost inedible). Going over the Apls I snacked on dates and figs. It worked for me, and they help keep you regular.

Freshly extracted, unprocessed fruit and vegetable juices are the most effective energy boosters I have found yet. I will also add that I have not tried these energy bars and drink boosters because I always felt that they were too expensive.

JS has it. If you decide not to use an energy supplement, then bring enough snacks so you can keep enough "fuel" in your system to keep you going.
One other thing about the guarnine and ma-hung, they both act as diuretics so you need to consune more water then normal. Also remember that supplements will affect every one differently.
Slainte:beer:

I used some Red Bull on the Tour De Cure. I liked it. We were 20 miles from the end and riding at a fast pace, I was dying. I was so sick of Chocolate Ravage Gu's that I could puke. Then the Red Bull truck pulled up and handed me an icy cold one, I drank a little of it ful power, and then mixed the rest in a water bottle. I made it to the end, with no more Gu's. I like Red Bull!

I used a redbull to wake me up for todays century... 6am rides really suck! ;)

When mtn biking, I would pour a can of redbull into my 100oz camelbak, It always seamed to work for me, the taste was much better with redbull then without.

Originally posted by Joe Gardner
the taste was much better with redbull then without.


Yup! The water bottle I used still gives water a cherryish taste. And that was back in May!!! I'm impressed!

Radishs ?

if i were ever tempted to resort to pharmaceuticals to boost my performance on the bike, i would immediately slap myself across the face and ask myself an important question:

"why do i ride?"

to which i would answer:

"because it's fun and it's good for me."

i don't ride to bulk up with ephedra or steroids; or to spin like a maniac with caffeine. i respectfully submit that if you ride for those reasons, perhaps you are defeating the purpose of riding? surely we must all realize that artificially boosting performance will, in the long run, be detrimental?

perhaps if million-dollar contracts and stage wins in a major tour were in my future, i might be tempted to do whatever it takes to boost my performance. but they're not and i don't.

nope. i ride because it's fun and it's good for me. and i wouldn't think of doing anything to counteract that simple fact.

I went to a friend's birthday party and they had a cooler full of Red Bull on ice. They were using it to mix with Drambuie. :eek:

Oh and yes, they were up all night!

I bought a can today on impulse, because they had no sparkling spring water.

I read all the warnings on the can and remembered all these posts of gloom and doom and I chickened out of drinking it!:(

Scared stiff I might have a stroke or be up for 5 nights without sleep:D

Originally posted by Maelstrom
But doesn't it also have ephedrine in it? Not just caffeine.

According to the ingredients listing on the Red Bull web site, there is NO ephedrine in Red Bull. The drink contains taurine, glucuronolactone (a naturally-occurring metabolite, a carbohydrate produced by the human metabolic system) and caffeine (Guarana), in addition to vitamins and carbs.

FWIW, if you consume caffeine on a daily basis, you probably won't much feel the effects of the caffeine in Red Bull. I eliminated caffeine from my daily diet over 3 years ago, so when I drink a Red Bull (or consume anything else containing a jolt of caffeine), I definitely get a boost.

Originally posted by Jeepbikerun
I went to a friend's birthday party and they had a cooler full of Red Bull on ice. They were using it to mix with Drambuie. :eek:

Oh and yes, they were up all night!

And people wonder why ephedra mixtures get a bad rap. That is just stupid. (unless it wasn't real red bull then it doesn't matter)


Looks like Red Bull in America isn't what it used to be. You can discard previous statement

Originally posted by Trek2Kgirl


According to the ingredients listing on the Red Bull web site, there is NO ephedrine in Red Bull. The drink contains taurine, glucuronolactone (a naturally-occurring metabolite, a carbohydrate produced by the human metabolic system) and caffeine (Guarana), in addition to vitamins and carbs.

FWIW, if you consume caffeine on a daily basis, you probably won't much feel the effects of the caffeine in Red Bull. I eliminated caffeine from my daily diet over 3 years ago, so when I drink a Red Bull (or consume anything else containing a jolt of caffeine), I definitely get a boost.

Ahhh then they changed the ingrediants. Red Bull was banned in canada because it did contain Ephedra is 'lethal' dosages. I am also pretty sure the european stuff still contain the ephedra. It was originally designed as a speed replacement supplement at raves in europe. Trying to get kids to not use the 'real' deal. :)

Hmm I wonder if I can find red bull anywhere then.


Funny - now it is banned because of the Taurine in it relating to muscle growth and potential steroid side affect. Oh man am I glad there is a gray market in this country.

Someone left an AMP Energy Drink in my 'fridge and I decided to drink it before my ride today. I had never had an energy drink before. Firstly, it was carbonated and tasted like concentrated Mountain Dew (which I cannot stand). Here's the ingredients:

Ingredients: carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup and/or sugar, citric acid, orange juice from concentrate, natural flavors, guarana, sodium benzoate, sodium polyphosphates, maltodextrin, caffeine, gum arabic, erythoric acid, taurine, panax ginseng, calcium disodium edta (to product flavor), potassium benzoate, brominated vegetable oil, yellow 5

Nutrition Facts: Serving size: 1 can (8.4oz); calories 120; total fat 0g; saturated fat 0g; cholesterol 0mg; sodium 75mg; total carb. 32g; dietary fiber 0g; sugars 30g; protein 0g; riboflavin 20%; vitamin B6 10%; vitamin B12 10%; niacin 10%; pantothenic acid 10%


This stuff gave me a stomach ache of biblical proportions. They ought to call it "Cramp". It's a five-star diuretic and laxative also.
The first 20 minutes of the ride were terrible but afterwards, I must admit I had a good deal of 'energy'. I got a ton of stuff done today too. Still, I think I'll stay clear of this garbage in the future.

Originally posted by lotek

Might I add to this
3 - Known to cause heart attacks
4 - Known to cause stroke
5 - Indicated in changes to psyche which can
lead to psychotic episodes or affective dissorders.

I think that about sums up why I won't be using any
ephedra.

Marty

No wonder it gives me a helluva headache. Really. I drank it in Thailand, so maybe it had ephedrine in it. Don't know, but it put thunder in my cranium.

have you guys ever tried the glass bottles of red bull that come straight from thailand?

I have a few cases of these, and find them to be FAR stronger and more effective than the watered down, carbonated cans...

they are available in Toronto, I can find them.

Hey Astroboy, can you send me one, please?:D

I probably could.
email me if you're serious.

Starbucks frappacino....the little glass bottles
they keep in the fridge. Great stuff, intensely refreshing.. Don't get the flavored ones, I disliked those a lot. First time I had one, was a hot day
in August and I had been over a mountain, nearly puked over lunch because it was hotter in the restaurant than outside, stopped at a gas station,
bought one, sent it down the chute, went back in, and bought another. In the middle of a long, hot, ride, the stuff is a little slice of heaven.

Yeah the Starbucks stuff is deffinately what you want to try. This summer a bunch of the people I was riding with and myself started buying the "double shot" espresso and cream in the black cans durring breaks at convience stores. It's like a serious kick in the rear, can is half the size of redbull (same diameter, but shorter) tastes good too.:fight: