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Which Energy Drinks Can Excite Your Taste Buds?

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 22, 2008

What's New: Alternative Energy Drinks

The massive energy drink industry keeps getting bigger. Nearly every day there's a new competitor. While Red Bull and similar items push the virtues of caffeine for that added boost, healthier options promote vitamin content or a lack of chemicals or sugar. One common thread: it seems every one of them wants to be the most "EXTREME' drink out there. Here's two of the latest:

Verve by Vemma Nutrition Co.

Cost: 12 8-oz. cans $35 and shipping

Available online at http://www.myverve.com/dbrad

The good news is this so-called "insanely healthy energy drink" is packed with a grocery store of vitamins, as well as trendy supplements such as taurine (an organic acid) and mangosteen — a tropical superfruit and antioxidant. The minerals, green tea and aloe claim to provide an "energy rush that lasts, without the backlash."

The bad news is that Verve's regular and sugar-free drinks are an acquired taste. Poured in a glass, it resembles carbonated carrot juice. The orange-like flavoring attempts to mask the mineral flavor, but there's no ignoring that it's a vitamin supplement. Taste tests done with people ranging in age from 12 to 60 noted that taste was such a drawback no one commented on any resulting energy surge.

Verve — as with most things that are good for you — may be the additional vitamin boost you've been wanting. Just remember it may feel a little like drinking your vegetables.

B Clear Diabetes Energy Drink by B Clear USA

Cost: 20 individual packets $14.99

Available online at www.bclearusa.com

The supplement claims to be an all-natural supplement for fighting fatigue and dehydration, and is endorsed by professional surfer Scott Dunton, the only Type 1 Diabetic currently competing on the pro surfing circuit.

Aimed at diabetics, B Clear does offer an alternative to sugar-laden sports drinks such as Gatorade. One 20-something diabetic taster noted that when mixed in with water, B Clear tasted a lot like a carbonated, watered-down sports drink.

B Clear definitely was refreshing, according to the taste tester. It did not, however, include an energy boost comparable to Rock Star, Red Bull and the like. And the yellow powder mix, if spilled on your hands, will turn your skin yellow.

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