No bull, sugar free (Sugar Free Red Bull)

Member Name: famouslastwords

Product:	Sugar Free Red Bull
Date:	04/04/09 (145 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tasty, low in calories and a good morning pick-me-up

Disadvantages: horribly chemical ingredients

Having spent my whole life insensitive to caffeine, as well as on a diet, I never expected to review anything like Red Bull. I have a tremor which is worsened by caffeine, and I have other lousy reactions to it such as feeling sick. However, over the years I have built up my tolerance with people poisoning me with caffeine on various occasions, (accidentally, I'm sure) as well as a good degree of medication, I occasionally test the boundaries with a caffeinated treat. This week, I decided to test Red Bull Sugar Free.

Packaging
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Red Bull Sugar Free comes in a can almost identical to the original red bull. Tall and thin, with four distinct patches of blue and silver. The trademark logo of the two unmistakable red bulls are on the centre, with 'Red Bull Sugar Free' written across the middle. The distinguishable difference between the original and the sugar free it the blue tone. Original is dark blue, sugar free is a lighter, aqua blue shade.

Taste?
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Before drinking Red Bull you need to consider a few things. It has a very high level of caffeine and taurine and if you are allergic, or sensitive, you need to be aware of this before you try it. Personally, I would not recommend this drink for young people as whilst it is alcohol free, it's not that great for you in other ways. I won't lecture because I really would be throwing stones is a very bijou glass house, but worth a thought before gulping it down.

The taste is very hard to explain, and is part of the reason I wanted to try it! The drink is carbonated, and very fizzy. My other half swears that the full calorie and sugar free taste very similar. It's a refreshing flavour, slightly fruity by very synthetic tasting. No organic flavours here!

As far as ingredients; It contains group B-vitamins, said to increase metabolism and energy. Alongside Caffeine which increases fat burning power, and energy. Also, Glucuronolactone which is a detoxifying carb. Taurine is an naturally occurring amino acid, which helps promote energy and regulate body temp. If your losing weight or dieting, these are all pros. If you need one sitting on the bus however, is debatable.

Also, much lower in calories due to the switch of glucose to Aspartame sweeteners. the difference is down from over 100 calories, to the sugar free version having around 12 calories. According to the Red Bull website, it is proven to 'Improve performance, increase concentration and reaction speed, improve vigilance and increase metabolism'.

Red Bull is vegetarian, Kosher and Halal, so suits most diet needs.

Where to buy?
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Most places, Red Bull is around £1.10. Slightly cheaper than Relentless, but the can is significantly smaller. The best deal is to buy Red Bull from supermarkets in multi-packs, as it's often on special offer and is much more expensive to buy in individual cans from corner stores.

You can also get Red Bull from most bars and clubs, and is a firm favourite with vodka but tends to be a pricey tipple!

Overall
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I actually liked Red Bull Sugar Free! It certainly didn't have me swinging from the light fixtures with uber-energy, but it was refreshing and gave me a good morning boost. Would well consider having on with vodka as a night out pick me up, and much better being lower in calories. Thumbs up!

Summary: Nice every now and again, but not a daily treat - low calories or not!