Is Red Bull a drug?

Answer 1

It contains caffeine and something called 'taurine'. Caffeine is certainly a drug, classed as a nervous system stimulant. It is addictive and enhances the effect of paracetamol (and some other painkillers, I believe).

Wikipedia says, amongst other things, that "In recent years, taurine has become a common ingredient in energy drinks. Taurine is also often used in combination with bodybuilding supplements such as creatine and anabolic steroids, but there is no evidence to suggest that it has any positive effect on muscle growth."

It is a natural constituent of the body, occurring in many animals as a part of the bile. Taurine is apparently essential for cats, who can't synthesise it! It doesn't appear to be necessary or beneficial for most humans to supplement their diet with it!

As for the rest of Red Bull, it's mostly sugar, water, citric acid, some vitamins (alcohol tends to destroy the B vitamins so supplementing them is useful for those who drink it as a mixer) and some rather disgusting flavoring. I can only conclude that most people drink it straight from the can because it could easily be mistaken for something else if put in a glass!

Answer 2

Absolutely.

It is basically sugar, vitamins, caffeine, and water. Each of those has well-documented physiological effects, and any of them might easily be considered a drug in the right circumstances.

There are, after all, many drugs that governments choose not to regulate. But that hardly makes them any less druggish. Even if you consider it to be a food, there are many foods that are considered to be drugs as well!

Ask yourself this: How is the physiological effect of Red Bull any different from any other drug?

Answer 3

No, Red Bull is not a drug, but drinking to much is hazartise to your health. Red Bull is also a MANS sports drink, there are WOMEN sports drinks. If a women drinks Red Bull, it can do more damage in her body than in a mans. (NOTICE THE MORE, Red Bull can damage a man's body as well.)

Answer 4

no red bull has a chemical that speeds up your body but red bull is not a drug

Answer 5

You decide:

Each 250 ml can of Red Bull contains the following:

Medicinal ingredients:

Taurine
An amino acid, taurine is important in several metabolic processes of the body. Also known as 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid. Taurine functions in electrically active tissues such as the brain and heart to help stabilize cell membranes. It also has functions in the gallbladder, eyes, and blood vessels and may have some antioxidant and detoxifying properties. 1000 mg

Glucuronolactone
A naturally occurring substance manufactured by the human body. Like taurine, glucuronolactone is supposed to detoxify the body. Little research has been done on the effects, and the only relevant studies have been conducted on animals so the risk to humans cannot be adequately assessed. Glucuronolactone has received some notoriety due to rumours that it was a Vietnam War era drug manufactured by the American government and led to several brain tumour deaths at the time. These rumours are not based on documented facts. 600 mg

Caffeine
An alkaloid found naturally in such foods as coffee beans, tea, kola nuts, Yerba maté, guarana, and (in small amounts) cacao beans. 80 mg

Niacin (niacinamide)
Also known as nicotinic acid or vitamin B3, niacin is a water-soluble vitamin whose derivatives such as NADH play essential roles in energy metabolism in the living cell. Severe lack of niacin causes the deficiency disease pellagra, whereas a mild deficiency slows down the metabolism, which in turn decreases cold tolerance and is a potential contributing factor towards obesity. 18 mg

Pantothenic acid (calcium d-pantothenate)
An antioxidant, water-soluble vitamin needed to break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. It is found in whole grain cereals, legumes, eggs, meat and other foods. 6 mg

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxide HCI)
A water-soluble vitamin that exists in three major chemical forms: pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine. Vitamin B6 performs a wide variety of functions in your body – for example, protein and red blood cell metabolism. The nervous and immune systems also require vitamin B6 to function efficiently and it is also needed for the conversion of tryptophan (an amino acid) to niacin (see above). 2 mg

Riboflavin
Also known as vitamin B2, riboflavin is an easily absorbed, water-soluble micronutrient with a key role in maintaining human health. Like the other B vitamins, it supports energy production by aiding in the metabolizing of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins and can be found in milk, cheese, leafy green vegetables, liver, yeast, almonds and mature soybeans. 1.65 mg

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamine)
Helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells, and needed for the production of DNA, the genetic material in all cells. Deficiency of vitamin B12 is the cause of several forms of anaemia. Also called 'cobalamin' because it contains the metal cobalt.

Answer 6

Definitely!

Answer 7

It'd a drink, but more like a drug.

Answer 8

NO. It is a drink made of sugar and caffeine. It also has some other things for flavor, and supposedly to help with the buzz.

Answer 9

If you consider caffine a drug then yes

Answer 10

haha. no. Its an energy drink. Do u really think they could advertise for for a drug that "gives you wings" on TV?