Premium
The thermic effect of sugar‐free R ed B ull: Do the non‐caffeine bioactive ingredients in energy drinks play a role?
Author(s) -
MilesChan Jennifer L.,
Charrière Nathalie,
Grasser Erik K,
Montani JeanPierre,
Dulloo Abdul G
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.20905
Subject(s) - caffeine , respiratory quotient , sugar , placebo , food science , thermogenesis , chemistry , calorie , medicine , biochemistry , adipose tissue , alternative medicine , pathology
Objective Consumption of energy drinks is increasing amongst athletes and the general public. By virtue of their bioactive ingredients (including caffeine, taurine, glucuronolactone, and B‐group vitamins) and paucity of calories, sugar‐free “diet” versions of these drinks could be a useful aid for weight maintenance. Yet little is known about the acute influence of these drinks, and specifically the role of the cocktail of non‐caffeine ingredients, on resting energy expenditure (REE) and substrate oxidation. Therefore, the metabolic impact of sugar‐free Red Bull (sfRB) to a comparable amount of caffeine was compared. Methods REE and respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured in eight healthy young men by ventilated‐hood indirect calorimetry for 30 min baseline and 2 h following ingestion of 355 ml of either: sfRB + placebo, water + 120 mg caffeine, or water + placebo, according to a randomized cross‐over design. Results sfRB and water + caffeine both increased REE to the same degree (+4%). Additionally, sfRB briefly increased RQ. Water + caffeine had no effect on RQ relative to water + placebo. Conclusions sfRB enhanced thermogenesis and marginally shifted RQ to favor carbohydrate oxidation. The stimulatory effects of sfRB on REE are mimicked by water + caffeine, indicating that the auxiliary ingredients do not influence this thermic effect. The metabolic effects of sfRB are primarily due to caffeine alone.