(May 11, 2005) — Whether it’s the game or your grade on the line, energy drinks all claim to revitalize body and mind. But with so many energy drinks out there with random vitamins and minerals only pronounceable by science majors, it can be tough picking a drink suitable for you. Where does the energy come from? Taurine: Research on taurine is still underway, and yet the FDA has approved of its safety. It’s currently illegal in Canada and parts of Europe. Taurine is believed to be sulfur-containing amino acid that is already present in the body. Taurine comes from the word Taurus, because it was first discovered in ox feces The body contains 1% of taurine compared to a person’s body weight in kilograms, meaning a 70-kilogram person would have 70 grams of taurine in their body. The body is said to use it during times of physical or mental strain, and it is used quickly and becomes liquid waste, which explains the increased urge to urinate after drinking an energy drink. Taurine “revitalizes body and mind” because it is said to aid in digestion, letting one get energy faster out of food. Also, several studies have said it is essential to muscle and heart contraction. Increasing or replenishing taurine levels in the body by even a little would then give a noticeable energy boost. Taurine is present in breast milk as well, aiding in a baby’s brain development, which could explain the increased concentration for those late night AP test cram sessions. Caffeine: All energy drinks contain caffeine. Most people are familiar with this stimulant and know that it can give that jolt needed to survive first block. Most people also know that after it wears off, one tends to crash and feel just as sleepy as before. Sucrose: If the taurine is just a placebo, then the average 21 grams of sugar per can of energy drinks will certainly get someone’s juices going. Glucuronolactone: Yet another sugar that will get anyone hyper. It naturally occurs in human bodies and is made from glucose. Red Bull : The infamous Red Bull. This eye-appealing can of taurine certainly gives you wings. It took approximately half an hour to work, and the boost only lasted for about an hour. People have described the taste from carbonated urine whereas it tasted like bubblegum with a Barq’s root beer bite to me. It contains 1000 mg of taurine and contrary to belief, the taurine used in Red Bull does not come from ox testicles. RockStar Energy Drink : Its slogan is party like a rock star, and apparently rock stars need twice as much taurine as normal people. RockStar contains 946 mg of taurine per serving, but each can is two servings, making it have 1892 mg of total taurine. The effects lasted for about an hour and a half, but unlike Red Bull, I crashed immediately when its 150 ml (five times as much as Coke) of caffeine wore off. It tastes and looks exactly like Red Bull, but because of its higher taurine content, I ended up going to the bathroom at least three times within an hour. Monster Energy Drink : The mean looking one. Its black intimidating can emphasizes that this MONSTER drink provides MONSTER energy. Monster energy then doesn’t compare to rock stars and bulls because this was the weakest of the three. I felt tired only after an hour, even though it was double the size of Red Bull and the same size as RockStar. It tasted like Sweet-tarts in liquid form, went down smoother, and had a less tart taste than the other two. It “dehydrated” me as many times as RockStars due to its alarming 2000 mg dose of taurine.