'RED BULL - IT gives you wings'. That is the slogan used in advertisements promoting the product, a very popular energy drink. And, apparently it is giving its legions of fans something, because it is the number one energy drink in the United States, and is rapidly gaining in popularity in Jamaica. But is it safe?
Four European countries - France, Denmark, Norway and Iceland - say no, and have banned the sale of the drink, citing health concerns. Recently it was investigated in Britain and Sweden and is currently causing concern in the United States, especially when it is mixed with alcohol.
The bans and investigations come in the wake of three deaths in Europe in the past few years. One of the deaths occurred at a Swedish nightclub in March 2001. A woman collapsed and died after drinking a can of Red Bull mixed with vodka, reports said.
In Ireland, 18-year-old Ross Cooney died from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome after drinking three cans of Red Bull before playing in a basketball match.
Red Bull's Austrian manufacturers deny that their drink is involved in the deaths of the persons. "The alleged consumption of the Red Bull energy drink has no connection whatsoever with the cause of the death of these three young people. Any harmful effects are generally connected to that of the alcohol," said a press release on the company's official website redbull.com.
Meanwhile, its local distributors, Caribbean Producers Jamaica Ltd., also say that the drink is safe. Casey Osbourne, team manager for Red Bull, told THE STAR that "No concerns have been raised locally about the drink."
Safe for drinking
She added that the drink, "is safe for public consumption and has been approved by the Bureau of Standards."
A representative from the Bureau of Standards told THE STAR, that they have found no problems with the beverage and therefore approve of its sale. "We would not allow it to be sold if it were a health hazard," said the agency representative.
According to Red Bull's official website, the main ingredients in a 250 ml can contains 1000 mg of taurine; 600 mg of glucuronolactone and 80 mg of caffeine. The amount of caffeine is equal to what would be found in one cup of coffee.
A 1999 European Union study evaluating the safety and effectiveness of taurine and glucuronolactone was unable to answer the question, much less determine an upper safety limit for the ingredients. However, another study claimed that consumption of a blend of Taurine and Glucuronolactone enhanced athletic performance.
One local doctor who spoke with THE STAR admitted that his knowledge of bio-chemistry was limited but wondered about the high concentrations of Taurine and Glucuronolactone. "They sound rather strange especially in such high concentrations to me - just off the bat - they are raising some eyebrows," said Dr. Michael Kenton.
In the meantime, local consumers say they will continue to enjoy the drink. Shane Walker, a 27-year-old university student, has declared Red Bull, "the world's greatest study aid." "If I am tired and need to study, Red Bull is the perfect weapon," said Walker.
