1. Energy is the ability to do work against some opposing force. This work consists of a wide variety of activities.

Our bodys cells are constantly doing work, and need a constant intake of energy to do this work. We get this energy through consuming macromolecules like carbohydrates and sugars and breaking them down to molecules the cells can use such as glucose or storing them as fats for later use. 2. The body gets the majority of its energy to sustain life from carbohydrates, most notably glucose. It breaks these molecules down through cellular respiration, which releases energy for the cells to use. Although carbohydrates such as glucose are the main source of energy in cellular respiration, other macromolecules can also be broken down and used for energy. For example, our body stores lipids and fats for energy reserves. These lipids can be broke down to their components: glycerol and fatty acids. Glycerol can be converted to dihydroxyacetone phosphate, an intermediate in the glycolysis, the first step in cellular respiration. The fatty acids can be converted to acetyl CoA through beta-oxidation. The acetyl CoA can then enter the citric acid cycle, the second step of cellular respiration. Along with lipids, cells can also use protein to create energy through cellular respiration. So although carbohydrates are the most energy efficient macromolecule to break down for energy, cells can also use other molecules for energy to perform necessary processes for life. 3. In a literal sense, calling energy drinks energizing is not an accurate statement. Unless these drinks contain carbohydrates that are fueling cellular respiration, energy drinks are not literally giving you energy. Instead they simply use ingredients such as caffeine and sugar to make you feel energized by stimulating the brain and neurotransmitters. After the introduction of the popular energy drink Red Bull in the United States in 1997, energy drinks have become the drink of choice of many people looking for a quick fix of energy. Athletes, college students, businessmen, and many others look to the claims of energy drink companies that promise boosts of energy, improved performance, and accelerated metabolism through the use of natural ingredients such as vitamins and Taurine. But are these claims legitimate? This article will analyze the ingredients of these energy drinks to see if these drinks really deliver what they promise to consumers. Energy drink companies promise the sought-after energy boost. But what is energy? A simple biological definition of energy is the ability to do work (http://employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe/biol115). Going down to the cellular level, energy is created through the break down of macromolecules into energy molecules such as ATP. These molecules are then used to complete cellular functions which allow the body to live and do work. Do energy drinks actually increase your ability to do this work? Lets first take a look an in-depth look at the ingredients of two popular energy drinks, Sugar-Free Red Bull and Impulse, and see if any of these ingredients actually increase our bodys ability to do work.

One primary difference between these two drinks is the way they are sweetened. For Red Bull we have three different sweeteners, an amino acid called aspartame, a potassium salt called acesulfame K, and an artificial sweetener called sucralose, also known as Splenda. All three of these sweeteners are used because they are sweeter than sugar itself but do not contain the energy or calories of sugar. These wont be contributing to any of the energy-boosting claims of the drink. (http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/) However, for Impulse, we find about 27 grams of sugar in one can. This sugar will be broken down into glucose and fructose, which can then be used to create energy. But you can find greater amounts of sugar in a can of soda for example, which would give you more energy based on sugar content. Next on the ingredient list is the controversial amino acid, Taurine. Taurine is a naturally occurring amino acid that is abundant in the bodys muscles. Both Red Bull and Impulse claim that Taurine is a detoxifying agent, and that it can also improve cardiac performance. There have been few studies done on the effects of Taurine in energy drinks, many with differing opinions. There is not enough evidence yet to make a definitive statement on the effects of Taurine on the body. Some studies support the claims that Taurine can increase cardiac performance, but many scientists are still unsure whether this claim is true. Since there is such an abundant source of Taurine in the body, some scientists believe increasing Taurine concentration may have no effect on the body. (http://www.exrx.net/Nutrition/Supplements/Taurine.html) A recent study done by the Cornell Medical College suggests that Taurine may possibly play a role in the crash that some people experience after consuming these energy drinks. (http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/feb08/wcmc.taurine.html) Another controversial ingredient in these drinks is the naturally occurring carbohydrate Glucuronolactone. It is actually produced from the break down glucose in the metabolic system. Since this is a carbohydrate, Glucuronolactone does have possible energy-giving capabilities, but there is a significant lack of scientific research on this chemical and its effects on the human body. Neither drink makes claims to any benefits of Glucuronolactone. (www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/etc/medialib/hsa_library/applied_sciences/analytical_sci ence/Files1.Par.98139.File.dat/DETERMINATION%2520OF%2520GLUCURONOLAC TONE%2520IN%2520BEVERAGES.pdf+glucuronolactone+carbohydrate). Next we have the ever so popular, caffeine. Both drinks have around 80 mg of caffeine in one can, comparable to the average cup of coffee. Caffeine is a chemical stimulant that is known to give rise to effects of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine, and also to block receptors for adenosine, a neurotransmitter responsible for making one feel tired and ready for sleep. Links have also been made to increased substrate availability, which gives muscles fuel, which in turn gives a person the perception of reduced exertion while exercising. (http://tuftsjournal.tufts.edu/2009/03_2/professor/01/) So although caffeine makes a person feel energized, it is simply a drug that induces reactions in the body to give the consumer the feeling of being energized, but it does not actually energize. And in regards to our energy drinks, this amount of caffeine can be found in coffee and sodas, which can be both cheaper and possibly healthier.

Finally on the list of ingredients is the slew of B-vitamins. Red Bull contains inositol (vitamin B8), niacin (vitamin B3), D-pantothenol (vitamin B5), pyridoxine HCL (vitamin B6), and vitamin B-12; while Impulse contains inositol, niacinimide (vitamin B3, and pyridoxine HCL. All of these vitamins play a vital role in converting energy in food into energy our bodies can use. This is the energy-giving ingredient we have been looking for in these drinks. Unfortunately, our bodies get our daily dose of B vitamins from our diet, mainly in meat and dairy. And all the extra B vitamins that these drinks offer will simply be excreted out of the body, so they dont actually have any significant benefits for the consumer. (http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-skeptic142008jul14,0,3939169.story) So do these energy drinks actually live up to their promises? Can we really call them energy drinks? Both drinks make the vague claim of improved and elevated performance along with increased energy, but these terms are hard to measure. Yes, the caffeine in these drinks can increase ones focus and alertness when performing, and gives you that pick-me-up when feeling tired, but this can be found in your average can of soda. There is no scientific proof showing actual higher, improved levels of performance. For athletes searching for energy, they should consume calories and carbohydrates, neither of which are offered in these drinks. If youre a college student staying up late writing a paper, Id recommend the cheaper choice and buy a can of caffeinated soda that offer similar levels of caffeine. These drinks also make the claims of stimulated and accelerated metabolism. This claim is backed by the B vitamins that aid in metabolic processes, but scientists have proved that an excess of B vitamins will not accelerate the metabolism, they will simply be flushed out of your system. So as weve seen, the claims of these energy drink companies are either false or have yet to be proven with scientific research. In a literal sense of the word energy, these drinks are nothing more than a can of caffeine with some false claims on the side.