Coffee or Energy Drinks? Pick 'Em

Heh. I know someone in the retail petroleum business who might find this interesting. I think the never ending energy drink resets are a bur in his saddle.

Despite such speedy-sounding names as "Full Throttle," "Amp" and "Rush," energy drinks pack a punch that is generally no stronger than coffee, according to a report released on Monday.

A comparison of 12 popular energy drinks, published in the September issue of Consumer Reports, found that the caffeine in 8 ounces of various brands ranged from 50-145 milligrams (mg), though most were in the 75- to 80-mg range.

Results were rounded to the nearest 5 mg.

By comparison, the caffeine in an 8-oz cup of brewed coffee can range from 65-120 mg, with an average of 85 mg, according to the National Coffee Association.

I'll give energy drinks this much-they frequently include other "boost" ingredients like niacin. Coffee doesn't. Just the same, energy drinks are over rated, and I don't know of anyone who regularly drinks Red Bull without a depressant, vodka, mixed in with it.