| In the old days, a drink high in caffeine and sugar was | | | | ascorbic acid, caffeine, sodium chloride, niacinamide, |
| enough for an athlete or regular office worker to stay | | | | riboflavin, guarana seed extract, inositol, |
| awake or alert. These drinks, usually a cola drink or | | | | glucuronalactone, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cyanobalmin |
| coffee, came with unwanted side effects like the | | | | Full Throttle by Coca-Cola. Ingredients: caffeine, ginseng |
| jitters or increased trips to the toilet. Some even | | | | extract, guarana extract, carnitine fumarate, B |
| resorted to caffeine pills. | | | | Complex vitamins B3, B6, B12 |
| Along came a new breed of drinks comprising of | | | | NO-Xplode by BSN. An all-in-one pre-workout |
| caffeine and Tyrosine or Taurine which were classified | | | | supplement designed to address all 4 of these critical |
| as “mental alertness” or | | | | issues simultaneously: energy, mental focus, work |
| “neurotransmitter” drinks. | | | | intensity, and maximum pump. |
| Why are they called neurotransmitter drinks? Tyrosine | | | | Fierce by SAN. Ingredients: Cell Hydration Matrix |
| blocks the release of Tryptophan in your brain, which is | | | | (Dicreatine-Malate, Creatine-Malate, |
| the amino acid that gives you the sleepy or sedative | | | | Creatine-Ethyl-Ester HCI), Neuro Substrates (L-Taurine, |
| feeling during a near-maximal effort, usually after 20 | | | | N-Acetyl-L-Glutamine, L-Tyrosine & Caffeine |
| seconds of exertion. | | | | Anhydrous), Creatine AssimilatorTM (Betaine |
| Tryptophan is also found high in turkey meat and | | | | Anhydrous & Glycocyamine, Guanidinopropionic Acid |
| warm milk, both of which can make you sleepy after a | | | | (3-GPA™), DuralastTM Matrix (Glucuronolactone & |
| huge Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Whether or not | | | | L-Aspartic Acid, b-Alanine), Nitro NO |
| it can cross the blood-brain barrier is another open | | | | (L-Arginine-Alpha-Ketoglutarate & L-Ornithine |
| topic for discussion. | | | | Alpha-Ketoglutarate) |
| Here is a summary of selected drinks to give you | | | | Xenergy by Xyience. Ingredients: Niacin, Vitamin B6, |
| energy, stay focused and be mentally awake! They | | | | Vitamin B12, Sodium, and Proprietary Blend of Taurine, |
| can be consumed by an ordinary office worker, or | | | | glucoronolactone, caffeine, guarana extract, panax |
| used as a pre-competition drink to an athlete. | | | | ginseng extract, inositol, l-carnitine. |
| Some of the items on this list may only be available in | | | | Redline RTD by VPX. Ingredients: Caffeine Citrate, |
| North America in this highly competitive market. Some | | | | Caffeine Anhydrous, Evoburn (pure Evodiamine), |
| even include ingredients such as ginseng extract or | | | | N-acetyl-L-tyrosine, Yerbe Mate, Green Tea, |
| gingko biloba to label itself as a “healthy” | | | | 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, CAMP (adenosine Cyclic |
| alternative. | | | | 3?,5?-monophosphate), Vinpocetine, Yohimbine HCL |
| Red Bull primarily contains caffeine and Taurine. | | | | Mad Croc by Mad Croc. Ingredients: caffeine, taurine, |
| Ingredients: Carbonated water, sucrose, glucose, | | | | and B complex vitamins, carnitine fumarate, B Complex |
| sodium citrate, taurine, glucuronolactone, caffeine, | | | | vitamins B3, B6, B12 |
| inositol, niacin, D-pantothenol, pyridoxine HCL (i.e. vitamin | | | | Rockstar by Ingredients: caffeine, taurine, ginko biloba, |
| B6), vitamin B12, artificial flavours, colors | | | | ginseng extract, guarana extract, L-carnitine, inositol |
| Monster drink by Monster Beverage is also good at a | | | | Disclaimer: Consult your physician before altering your |
| fraction of the price of Red Bull. It used to taste like | | | | diet or taking supplements. It is your responsibility to |
| stale lemonade! Monster has been reformulated with | | | | evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness |
| an improved taste. Ingredients: carbonated water, | | | | of any information, opinion or advice contained in the |
| sucrose, glucose, citric acid, taurine, natural flavors, | | | | above article. |
| sodium citrate, l-carnitine, panax ginseng root extract, | | | | |