Originally published December 7 2005
Sales figures show energy drinks are more popular than ever
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
According to Beverage Digest, energy drinks are the most rapidly growing non-alcoholic drinks, with sales totaling more than one billion dollars in the U.S. last year, as high school students have latched onto the huge caffeine boost offered by drinks like Red Bull.
Energy drink sales for 2004 topped $1 billion and have become the fastest growing portion of the non-alcoholic beverage market, according to Beverage Digest.
"They pack a buzz, man," said John Menneke of Hesperia.
"That's why I pay 3 bucks a can.
They sell it for that much because I'll pay for it.
Dozens of energy drink brands have hit store shelves since the introduction of Red Bull to the U.S. market in 2001.
Prices for the drinks are often close to $3 a can at convenience stores, which is where most energy drinks are sold.
The drinks, which come in cans of all sizes, promise to contain ingredients that will provide the drinker with sustained energy.
Caffeine levels in some energy drinks are so high, the makers place warning labels on the cans.
Certain brands of energy drinks contain as many as 80 grams of sugar in an 16-ounce can.
Energy drinks have become especially popular among high school students.
Pazdral said people develop a tolerance to caffeine and then consume more energy drinks to achieve the same effect.
More energy drinks means more calories and more sugar.
France and Denmark have placed a ban on the sale of Red Bull, citing health concerns.
Even still, energy drinks are selling at record numbers with new brands being introduced all the time.
The success soft drink makers have seen with energy drinks has seeped its way into the beer aisle also.
Several brands of caffeinated beers are available, including one brewed by Budweiser.
The beverages are gaining popularity, with some having an alcohol content as high as 6.9 percent.
"That's about all I drink these days," said Frank Onid of Hesperia.
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