Blonde By Nature

Society has reached a point where energy drinks have become a big seller in order keep up with the array of information and the speed at which we live. I’ve never understood it myself – the stuff tastes like chemicals that the manufacturers attempted to cover up the bad flavour with faux sugars. In fact, mixing energy drinks (a stimulant) with a depressant like alcohol has been under serious speculation since the introduction of the beverage in 2001 (Check out: Combining Energy Drinks With Alcohol Potentially Dangerous).

The main ingredient in this beverage is taurine. For those of you who don’t know this is what taurine is, I’d like to take a moment and help clarify this for you - Slightly off topic…

Taurine, or 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, is an organic acid. It is also a major constituent of bile and can be found in the lower intestine and in small amounts in the tissues of many animals, including humans. (wiki)

BUT Taurine can also be made in the lab…

Taurine in the pharmaceutical and lab setting is synthesized through a combination of cysteine, methionine, and vitamin E. It is naturally produced in the testicles of many mammals. Urban legends surrounding the source of taurine have included bull urine extract and bull semen. While it’s true that taurine is found in both sources, it is not the source of taurine in the pharmaceutical or food industry. (wiki)

Now let’s turn our attention to a new type of drinking about to emerge into the marketplace called Slow Cow.

It is the exact opposite of the energy drink – it is a relaxant – and boasts plant ingredients such as chamomile, passiflora/passion flower, valerian, linden and hops sodium.  It’s main ingredient is an amino acid called L-Theanine that is commonly found in tea that, according to the Slow Cow site, “increases mental awareness, helps in relaxation without causing sleepiness, reduces stress and anxiety,  improves cognition, concentration and sleep quality.”

With all the energy drinks and stimulants on the shelves at the grocer, it was only a matter of time that this anti-stimulant beverage evolved.

The site seems to really push the holistic and healthy ingredients in the beverage (claiming it to have similar effects to acupunture or a one-week vacation) , so it will be interesting to see if it appeases the health-conscious and sensitive-to-chemicals consumers in taste.

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