The fast rise of energy drinks

Nowadays it is hard to imagine a world without energydrinks. You must have been living under a rock if you haven’t heard of the existence of brands like Red Bull and Monster. Almost everyone has had a can of energy drink at some point. For many, it is part of their daily ritual. But what is in such a can?

Energy drinks usually contain stimulating ingredients such as taurine and caffeine. Often vitamins or carnitine are also added. So, energy drinks are also often seen as a food supplement, rather than a normal drink. Also, the link is often made between sports drinks and energy drinks, but none of this is true. In fact, sports drinks are used to replace water and electrolytes during or after exercise, while energy drinks provide you with an energy boost to help you concentrate and perform better.

History

Let’s also take a step back in time to the origins of energy drinks.Originally, energy drinks came from Japan, and amphetamines were very popular in the post-World War II period.Laws restricted its use in 1950, to which in 1962 the company Taisho Lipovitan D introduced the first legal energising tonic.Over the years, the high-caffeine drink was enriched with vitamins and became a popular drink among Japanese managers struggling to concentrate around 1980.

The big breakthrough of energy drinks came when Austrian businessman Dietrich Mateschiz visited Bangkok in Thailand. It was here that he first encountered energising tonics, and he was amazed by their effects. In 1984, he partnered with producers who made Krating Daeng. This resulted in the drink becoming known worldwide.

Krating Daeng is the Thai translation for Red Bull, a name that soon conquered Europe. Red Bull became an overnight sensation due to the combination of caffeine, taurine and carbon dioxide. In 1997, Mateschiz first introduced energy drinks in the United States. This was the beginning of the energy drink market we know today.

By the early 2000s, energy drinks were here to stay, and brands were popping up everywhere. For instance, the Rockstar brand was introduced in 2001, followed by Monster Energy in 2002. Both brands have experienced tremendous growth since their inception and are now known worldwide.

Fun Fact

Did you know that in some countries there are restrictions on the sale of energy drinks? In fact, in some countries it is forbidden to sell energy drinks to people under a certain age, because of the possible health risks.

Disclaimer: Energy drinks are not suitable for everyone, so always read the label before use. Do not overdo its use!