After receiving a pretty good response from the Powerade Zero post, I decided to follow it up with another ingredient post of the Monster Khaos drink . It’s a hybrid of such between and energy drink and juice. It contains 90 cal/8 0z serving. Personally, I like the taste of all the Juiced monsters but this one has the least calories. As far as energy goes, it does about the same as Red Bull for me.

Water – not much to explain here folks!

Fruit Juice Concentrate- includes apple, orange, peach, tangerine, pineapple and white grape)

Turine- organic acid made from bull sperm. It is also a major constituent of bile. Monster adds in 2000 mg/16 oz (1 serving) 440.9 mg/100g compared to Red Bull even s out about the same. It has not been proven to be energy-giving. A study of mice hereditarily unable to transport taurine suggests that it is needed for proper maintenance and functioning of skeletal muscles.

Natural Flavors- not really sure about this one! I’m sure they are natural flavors, think positive!

Citric Acid- Involved in the physiological oxidation of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates to carbon dioxide and water.

Panax Ginseng Root Extract- The main active components of Panax ginseng are ginsenosides, which have been shown to have a variety of beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Results of clinical research studies demonstrate that Panax ginseng may improve psychologic function, immune function, and conditions associated with diabetes. Overall, Panax ginseng appears to be well tolerated, although caution is advised about concomitant use with some pharmaceuticals, such as warfarin, oral hypoglycemic agents, insulin, and phenelzine. Associated adverse effects include nausea, diarrhea, euphoria, insomnia, headaches, hypertension, hypotension, mastalgia, and vaginal bleeding. Panax ginseng may interact with caffeine to cause hypertension, and it may lower blood alcohol concentrations. (www.aafp.org)

Potassium Sorbate- polyunsaturated fatty acid salt. which acts to prevent mold and microbes and to increase shelf life, and is used in quantities at which there are no known adverse health effects. So pretty much it just keeps stuff from growing inside the can.

Caffeine- It has many effects on the body’s metabolism, including stimulating the central nervous system. This can make you more alert and give you a boost of energy. Too much caffeine can make you restless, anxious and irritable. It may also keep you from sleeping well and cause headaches, abnormal heart rhythms or other problems. If you stop using caffeine, you could get withdrawal symptoms. I envy anyone who can make it through an entire day without consuming caffeine.

Grape Skin Extract- Used for color

Sodium Benzoate- Used in foods with high acidic content to inhibit the growth of yeast and bacteria. There have been some health concerns about the combination of sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid or vitamin C. When the two are mixed, they can form the chemical benzene, which is carcinogenic. However, sodium benzoate on its own is not considered a carcinogen, and you would have to consume a huge amount of it in order to have toxic levels in your body. In mice studies where the animals were fed sodium benzoate, no adverse effects were reported, and the mice’s life expectancies were not shortened, nor were their health affected in any way. (www.wisegeek.com)

Ascorbic Acid- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin, which is necessary in the body to form collagen in bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels and aids in the absorption of iron. Dietary sources of vitamin C include fruits and vegetables, particularly citrus fruits such as oranges. High doses of vitamin C have been associated with multiple adverse effects. These include kidney stones, severe diarrhea, nausea, and gastritis. Rarely, flushing, faintness, dizziness, and fatigue have been noted. (www.nlm.nih.com/medlineplus)

Beta Carotene- Also used for color

Niacinamine- (B3)- More than 3g/day is dangerous; anti-inflammatory and anti-acne vitamin; anti-anxiety properties (work similar to benzodiazipines).

Guarana Seed Extract- Guaraná contains a substance similar to caffeine called guaranine. Guaranine stimulates the central nervous system, increases metabolism, and has a mild diuretic effect. It has been suggested that in combination with other herbs, guarana (guaranine) may be effective in helping to promote weight loss. This effect is probably due to an appetite suppressing mechanism, an increase in calorie burning, or both. (www.nutrasanus.com)

L- Carnitine- Carnitine is a nutrient responsible for the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the energy-producing centers of the cells (known as the mitochondria). In other words, carnitine helps the body convert fatty acids into energy, which is used primarily for muscular activities throughout the body. The body produces carnitine in the liver and kidneys and stores it in the skeletal muscles, heart, brain, and sperm. Carnitine deficiencies may be caused by genetic disorders, liver or kidney problems, high-fat diets, certain medications, and low dietary levels of the amino acids lysine and methionine (substances needed to make carnitine). (www.umm.edu)

Inositol- plays an important part in the health of cell membranes especially the specialized cells in the brain, bone marrow, eyes and intestines. The function of the cell membranes is to regulate the contents of the cells, which makes effective functioning possible. Inositol is said to promote healthy hair, hair growth, and helps in controlling estrogen levels and may assist in preventing breast lumps. It may also be of benefit in reducing blood cholesterol levels. (www.anyvitamins.com)

Glucuronolactone- naturally occurring chemical compound produced by the metabolism of glucose in the human liver. It is an important structural component of nearly all connective tissues. Glucuronolactone is also found in many plant gums. It has received some notoriety due to urban legends that it was a Vietnam War-era drug manufactured by the American government. The rumor goes on to say that it was banned due to several brain tumor-related deaths. The rumor has since been proven false, as neither the cited British Medical Journal article nor the “banning of its consumption” ever occurred. Furthermore, no warnings appear on the Food and Drug Administration website regarding its potential to cause brain tumors or other maladies. Glucuronolactone is present in many energy drinks. Most of these drinks also contain caffeine, and glucuronolactone is included because it is purported to fight fatigue and provide a sense of well-being. According to “The Merck Index” (14th edition) it is also used as detoxicant. (The Merck Index)

Acesulfame Potassium- 0 calorie sweetener; 180 to 200 times as sweet as table sugar; FDA approved artificial sweetener, no research has shown (yes there has been some done) a carcinogenic correlation.

Pyridoxine Hydrochloride- Pyridoxine assists in the balancing of sodium and potassium as well as promoting red blood cell production. It is linked to cardiovascular health by decreasing the formation of homocysteine. It has been suggested that Pyridoxine might help children with learning difficulties, and may also prevent dandruff, eczema, and psoriasis. In addition, pyridoxine can help balance hormonal changes in women and aid in immune system. Lack of pyridoxine may cause anemia, nerve damage, seizures, skin problems, and sores in the mouth. It is needed in the production of monoamine neurotransmitters, dopamine and norepinephrine.

Riboflavin- Riboflavin is a type of B vitamin. It is water soluble, which means it is not stored in the body. You must replenish the vitamin every day. Deficiency of riboflavin is not common in the United States because this vitamin is plentiful in the food supply. Symptoms of significant deficiency syndromes include sore throat, swelling of mucous membranes, mouth or lip sores, anemia, and skin disorders. Because riboflavin is a water-soluble vitamin, leftover amounts leave the body through the urine. There is no known poisoning from riboflavin

Maltodextrin- easily digestible carbohydrates made from natural corn starch. The starch is cooked, and then acid and/or enzymes are used to break the starch into smaller polymers (a process similar to that used by the body to digest carbohydrate). In diabetics, Maltodxtrins should be considered the same as glucose (dextrose)

Cyancobalamin- (B12)- water soluble vitamin; inactive form of B12 however, the body converts into methylcobalamin. Methylcobalamin is active in the central nervous system as a coenzyme essential for cell growth and replication. This form of the vitamin is dissolved under the tongue.



This entry was posted on Thursday, June 5th, 2008 at 9:13 pm, by Katie, and is filed under Food/Drink. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.