Over 22 years ago while visiting Asia, a man named Dietrich Mateschitz discovered a new type of beverage called a “tonic drink” that was used to help keep factory workers awake during their shifts.

One specific type of tonic drink from Thailand was called “Krating Daeng” or, as we know it today, Red Bull.

Since Red Bull’s debut in 1997, energy drinks have grown into a billion-dollar industry, with more than 100 different competitors on the market.

So, what is an energy drink? It is a soft-drink-like beverage that contains vitamins, minerals and, in most cases, high levels of sugar and legal stimulants.

The most effective of these stimulants and the key ingredient in energy drinks is caffeine, a nervous system stimulant that slows down the process that makes us drowsy and replaces it with the feeling of alertness.

In addition to helping one stay alert, caffeine can cause a burst of adrenaline and the release of dopamine, a chemical found in the brain that stimulates the body’s pleasure center.

Energy drinks have become so popular that you can find them almost anywhere, from the campus bookstore to your favorite bar on Water Street. Some of the most popular are Full Throttle, Mountain Dew Amp, Rock Star, Monster, Crunk Juice and, of course, the undisputed king, Red Bull.

They range in price from $1 to $3, with most of them priced competitively around the $2 mark. Most come in two different sizes: the 8.3 oz. can made popular by Red Bull or the 16 oz. can introduced by the makers of Rock Star.

Some brands offer larger sizes, but once the caffeine is out of your system and your sugar level crashes, you may experience side effects such as irritability, fatigue and mild depression, not to mention a serious wrench thrown into your sleeping schedule.

Even though caffeine can have positive effects, it is still a stimulant and should be used in moderation.

Now that you know all about energy drinks, keep your eyes open. Whether it’s the sleepy-looking guy in your 8 a.m. lecture or a rowdy crowd at the bar slamming Jaeger bombs, someone is probably drinking one nearby.

Sources: bized.com, bevnet.com, redbull.com, howstuffworks.com

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