-4350
What You Need to Know
They're Super Popular.
Energy drinks are currently the fastest-growing portion of the beverage market. According to a Bloomberg/Businessweek report, U.S. energy drink sales increased 6.7 percent to $9.7 billion in the year ended May 19, 2013. Additionally, according to data from Bevnet.com, Red Bull sales were $2.9 billion in 2012, and Monster Energy Drink sales were a not-too-far-behind $2.6 billion. Monster is of note because, according to a Forbes write-up, Monster had grown to 35 percent of the energy drink market. Monster drinks are the ones that come in black cans with goth-inspired "M" logos. Other players in the energy drink beverage niche include RockStar, Amp, NOS, Full Throttle, Xyience Xenergy andVPX Redline.
They're Loaded With [Hidden] Caffeine.
Energy drinks derive their energy-boosting properties from their caffeine content. For example, a Consumer Reports investigation found the basic Monster Energy drink to contain 92 mg of caffeine in every 8 oz. serving--or 184 mg of caffeine per 16 oz. can. Monster X-presso clocked in at 221 mg of caffeine per 6.8 oz. serving! Monster Energy Drink also contains other stimulants, including guarana, a natural caffeine-containing plant panax ginseng and taurine. In October 2012, the Consumer Reports investigation found that 27 of the most popular brands of energy drinks in the US contained a different amount of caffeine than was on the label, or did not list the amount of caffeine at all.
Energy Drinks 101