Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2015 Feb 24.
The Effects of Red Bull® Energy Drink Compared With Caffeine on Cycling Time Trial Performance.
Abstract
This study investigated the ergogenic effects of a commercial energy drink (Red Bull®) or an equivalent dose of anhydrous caffeine in comparison to a non-caffeinated control beverage on cycling performance. Eleven trained male cyclists (31.7±5.9yrs, 82.3±6.1kg, VO2 max=60.3±7.8mL·kg-1·min-1) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled and cross-over designed study involving three experimental conditions.
Participants were randomly administered Red Bull® (9.4mL·kg-1 BM, containing 3mg·kg-1BM caffeine), anhydrous caffeine (3mg·kg-1 BM given in capsule form) or a placebo 90mins before commencing a time trial equivalent to 1hr cycling at 75% peak power output. Carbohydrate and fluid volumes were matched across all trials.
Performance improved by 109±153s (2.8%, p=0.039) after Red Bull® compared with placebo and by 120±172s (3.1%, p=0.043) after caffeine compared with placebo. No significant difference (p>0.05) in performance time was detected between Red Bull® and caffeine treatments.
There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in mean heart rate or rating of perceived exertion among the three treatments. This study demonstrated that a moderate dose of caffeine consumed as either Red Bull® or in anhydrous form enhanced cycling time trial performance. The ergogenic benefits of Red Bull® energy drink are therefore most likely due to the effects of caffeine, with the other ingredients not likely to offer additional benefit.
I only drink it if I have to stay awake while driving late. It keeps me awake a lot better than coffee. Maybe it is just the caffeine but I still think it works better.
Caffeine and coffee do not have the same effects. I cover that HERE if interested.
You’d save a lot of $$$ by simply getting caffeine tabs like No Doz or similar. Caffeine is dirt cheap and I’ll bet the can costs them more to produce than the product in Red Bull.
It’s only like 80mg of caffeine, so not much to expect but a slight bump. If you want to try something you’ll feel and is good for you to boot, try my Bomb Proof Coffee recipe.
I can’t stand Red Bull, but I believe in Five Hour Energy. That stuff has kept me awake when all I wanted was sleep on many occasions. My one criticism is that it takes time to metabolize, so it really should be called “Five Hour Energy After an Hour to Digest.”
Red Bull is the only energy drink I can stomach, and like others have said here, It’s only when I am driving long distances that I even drink it. I have become addicted to caffeine and Soda for awhile now, I am on my second stop drinking soda try this year and just got past the migraine phase.
Not trying to derail the thread but wickedwillis have you heard of or tried kombucha? It’s fermented tea, easy to make, and good for you. We turned a neighbor onto it that was trying to quit soda and he now drinks nothing but.
I’m surprised it didn’t have a negative effect to be honest - it’s a sugary carbonated beverage, but I guess caffeine is just super awesome.
I’ve had some instances where doing max exertion stuff after (basically chugging two servings of caffeinated drunks on an empty stomach in the morning) I can successfully get both a massive niacin flush and racing HR to where my performance is utter crap, but being somewhat used to consistent caffeine and being in relatively bad shape to do dumb stuff like climbing 1000ft of singletrack on a bike, I should probably have been in worse shape.
I love the way it tastes. I actually wish they made a non caffeinated version just so I could enjoy it when I’m not looking for a stimulant! I’ve never drank it under the impression it would do anything for me energy wise past whatever amount of caffeine it has in it.
Btw the can is actually pretty drab when you compare it to everything else in the refrigerator case. They do have some spot on marketing however.
I got sick drinking Vodka/Red Bulls at a party years ago (what a revolting combination), and haven’t been able to even smell a Red Bull since without feeling nauseated. Monster and that other crap is just that: crap. At work, I’ve seen guys put it in Camelbaks before going to work in 100+ degree conditions, and then they wonder why they’re suffering heat stress injuries, cramps, and insomnia. Water, dude. Or Gatorade, if that’s your thing.
I’m a morning coffee drinker with the occasional soda (2-3 per week, nothing heinous), but I might have to try the no-doze or caffeine pills for a perf bump before strenuous work days or athletic events.