energy drink
The Real Science behind Energy Drinks
1. When we say that something gives us "energy”, what does that mean? What is a biological definition of energy?
When we say that something gives us “energy” it means we can get sugars or carbohydrates and lipids from that. Humans need to eat carbohydrates and lipids to provide fuel for our body’s metabolism. Human body must have these chemicals in order to function and different food sources provide different types of energy. The biological definition of energy is the element that is stored by cells in biomolecules (carbohydrates and lipids). The energy is released when there molecules are oxidized during cellular respiration and transported by an energy carrier called ATP [1].
2. For each ingredient, research and record the following information:
a. What it is (very brief description: 1-2 sentences)
b. What it does (very brief description of its physiological role in the body: 1-2 sentences)
Red Bull®
Ingredients: carbonated water, sucrose, glucose, citric acid, taurine, sodium citrate, magnesium carbonate, caffeine, glucuronolactone, inositol, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine HCl, vitamin B12, natural and artificial flavors, colors.
Carbonated water
What it is: Carbonated water is the primary ingredient of carbonated soft drinks. Carbonated water is created (or exists naturally) by dissolving carbon dioxide gas (CO2) in water.
What it does: Carbonated water can hinder the absorption of calcium. Carbonated water also decreases satiety and improves dyspepsia, constipation and gallbladder emptying [2].
Sucrose
What it is: simple sugar
What it does: Can be converted into a form for entry into the primary metabolic pathway in which the chemical energy of its bonds is converted into ATP.
Glucose
What it is: Glucose is a carbohydrate, and is the most important simple sugar in human metabolism. Glucose is one of the primary molecules which act as energy sources
1. When we say that something gives us "energy”, what does that mean? What is a biological definition of energy?
When we say that something gives us “energy” it means we can get sugars or carbohydrates and lipids from that. Humans need to eat carbohydrates and lipids to provide fuel for our body’s metabolism. Human body must have these chemicals in order to function and different food sources provide different types of energy. The biological definition of energy is the element that is stored by cells in biomolecules (carbohydrates and lipids). The energy is released when there molecules are oxidized during cellular respiration and transported by an energy carrier called ATP [1].
2. For each ingredient, research and record the following information:
a. What it is (very brief description: 1-2 sentences)
b. What it does (very brief description of its physiological role in the body: 1-2 sentences)
Red Bull®
Ingredients: carbonated water, sucrose, glucose, citric acid, taurine, sodium citrate, magnesium carbonate, caffeine, glucuronolactone, inositol, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine HCl, vitamin B12, natural and artificial flavors, colors.
Carbonated water
What it is: Carbonated water is the primary ingredient of carbonated soft drinks. Carbonated water is created (or exists naturally) by dissolving carbon dioxide gas (CO2) in water.
What it does: Carbonated water can hinder the absorption of calcium. Carbonated water also decreases satiety and improves dyspepsia, constipation and gallbladder emptying [2].
Sucrose
What it is: simple sugar
What it does: Can be converted into a form for entry into the primary metabolic pathway in which the chemical energy of its bonds is converted into ATP.
Glucose
What it is: Glucose is a carbohydrate, and is the most important simple sugar in human metabolism. Glucose is one of the primary molecules which act as energy sources