Doesn't give you wings, but certainly stimulates! (Red Bull)

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Red Bull
Date:	21/05/09 (41 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Appealing taste, does the job

Disadvantages: Expensive and too much isn't good for you

Let's be honest: the cleverest thing about Red Bull is its marketing strategy. A series of appealing adverts, a well designed logo and hitting a niche in the market better than anyone else has caused Red Bull to be the most famous of instant energy giving drinks.

However, it doesn't really do anything that other similar drinks don't do. The idea is to provide a tasty, energy giving drink in a can, and the main target is younger people. It is often drunk on its own, but I think more commonly with vodka for those who want a bit more energy for socialising. Its sweet taste appeals very well, and the colour is distinctive, with a clear yet bright orange look making it easy to spot in a glass.

I used to drink a lot of energy drinks when I was playing sports on a regular basis. I found them to work, on the whole, and Red Bull was one such drink. However, it's also one of the more expensive ways to gain energy, with a can coming it at around £1 for 250ml. Each can has approximately 32mg of caffeine, about the same amount you might find in a decent cup of strong coffee, but this gives you a cold drink as opposed to waiting for the kettle to boil and then the drink to cool down. You also don't have that coffee breath. You get Red Bull breath instead, which is a sweet but not sickly smell.

This does, however, not do you much good. The amount of chemicals in one can isn't too good for you, and you should drink this in moderation. And you're paying over the odds, too, in my opinion. There are other drinks, such as Tesco Kick, which is their own brand version of Red Bull, and I found it gives you as much energy for half the price.

As with most energy giving drinks, there is a bit of a come down from the energy rush, so be prepared for that. If you drink too much, it can act as a laxative, so if you go out all night and drinking nothing but vodka and Red Bull, be prepared for the consequences the following morning!

Overall, it's a decent product, and it does the job you need it to do, if you're looking for an stimulated energy boost. Similarly, it tastes okay, and can therefore be drunk socially, as I explained. I find it useful on occasion, but am more likely to go for a cheaper substitute instead, if indeed I go for an energy drink at all.

Summary: Decent energy drink, but over valued