Does it work? Does it really unleash the monster within you?
As a serious answer: no one really knows for sure. There's tons of independent research and persuasive articles pushing both for and against energy drinks in general. Some say the stuff is potion, some say it is approved poison, some say it is all snake oil. It's a modern mythology, really.
Personally, I think there's a lot of experimental chemistry involved to be sure. There's some scientific consensus on things like taurine and L-carnitine being naturally occuring chemicals that can be good for you, but not a lot of agreement on exactly how well they work, whether or not they can cause side effects, or if the amount included in one can is even enough to have a positive effect. I'd say individual placebo effects from the drink largely determines how well the stuff works for you in the long run.
Just be careful not to turn your system to slag by chugging these down every day. I've seen people do that; it's not pretty.
As a serious answer: no one really knows for sure. There's tons of independent research and persuasive articles pushing both for and against energy drinks in general. Some say the stuff is potion, some say it is approved poison, some say it is all snake oil. It's a modern mythology, really.
Personally, I think there's a lot of experimental chemistry involved to be sure. There's some scientific consensus on things like taurine and L-carnitine being naturally occuring chemicals that can be good for you, but not a lot of agreement on exactly how well they work, whether or not they can cause side effects, or if the amount included in one can is even enough to have a positive effect. I'd say individual placebo effects from the drink largely determines how well the stuff works for you in the long run.
Just be careful not to turn your system to slag by chugging these down every day. I've seen people do that; it's not pretty.
I think in the end we should strive to never become overly dependant on ANY manner of "Drink this to stay awake!" drinks. But hey like you said it depends on the person chugging them down. What some people take everyday might be considered 'unhealthy' to others but just another ritual to them.
Although I thought the general consensus was that cheapo energy drinks are by and large worse for you than normal coffee...