Starbucks A drink called Iced Energy was launched in stores across the country on Tuesday, containing up to 205 milligrams of caffeine, about the same amount as six cans of Coke. The fruity energy drink debuts less than two months after bakery chain Panera Bread announced its launch. Stopping Its Controversial Charging LemonadeThe drink was blamed in the lawsuit for causing two deaths and was called a “dangerous energy drink.”
According to reports, the ice energy drink comes in three flavors, including the tropical citrus flavor with the highest caffeine content, which contains 205 mg of caffeine. Starbucks website. It’s not just a great starbucks latte, contains 150 milligrams of caffeine, but is significantly less than Panera’s Charged Lemonade, which comes in a large 30-fluid-ounce glass (without ice) and contains 390 milligrams of caffeine. Panera began phasing out Charged Lemonade on May 7 and has denied any wrongdoing, saying it removed the drink as part of a broader menu transformation.
With the exception of the Frozen Tropical Citrus Ice Energy with Strawberry Puree, Ice Energy is sugar-free and contains artificial sweeteners. All flavors contain caffeine, vitamins and taurine (an amino acid) Commonly found in popular energy drinks touted as helpful Improve sports performance, although more research is needed. Although taurine is not a stimulant, some animal studies suggest that regularly consuming high doses of taurine may Harmful to adolescent brain development.
On the other hand, charged lemonade contains sugar and Guarana Extracta stimulant said to help with weight loss and improve cognition, but that may be Not safe for long-term use A lot.
Experts say rechargeable lemonades and iced energy drinks belong to the growing “functional drinks” category that chains large and small are eager to enter. Such drinks contain ingredients said to improve health.
“You’re going to see a lot of interest in functional beverages across many different beverage sectors,” said Brian Warrener, director of the Center for Beverage Education and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. interest. “Consumers believe there are some benefits to this. “
Starbucks’ new beverage appears amid many similar options elsewhere. In February, when Panera multiple lawsuits On its electric lemonade, Dunkin’ launches SPARKD’ energy drinka carbonated energy drink containing guarana and taurine, available in peach and berry flavors and with a whopping 192 mg of caffeine. Smoothie King offers refreshing lemonade drinks Contains up to 125 mg of “natural caffeine” from green coffee beans.
The entire energy drink market has exploded: According to data from Chicago-based market research firm Circana, annual sales of energy drinks in the United States have soared from about $13.5 billion at the end of 2019 to nearly $22 billion as of mid-May.
Energy drinks contain more caffeine than ever before. Red Bull, which has been sold for decades, contains 114 milligrams of caffeine per 12-fluid-ounce can, while many newer brands, including Celsius, have 200 milligrams or more. Others, like Bang, have 300 milligrams.
this Food and Drug Administration It is said that healthy adults can generally consume up to 400 mg of caffeine per day, which is equivalent to about four or five cups of coffee.
Starbucks has items on their menu that are close to that level, e.g. Grande Blonde Roasted Hot Coffeehas 360 mg.
While most adults can consume caffeine, the American Academy of Pediatrics says it does not offer any benefits to children, specifically stating: Teens should avoid energy drinks Because of health problems.
More and more countries have Ban the sale of energy drinks to childrenand Russia is latest country to halt sales Persons under 18 years of age. Similar state-led efforts failed.
Starbucks’ iced energy drinks differ from its refreshing drinks, which are popular caffeinated juices that contain about 30 milligrams or more of caffeine, slightly more than the amount in a can of Coke. A Starbucks barista shared on TikTok that parents don’t always realize when drinking tea that the drink contains caffeine. order for their children.
Starbucks did not respond to multiple requests for comment about its Ice Energy, including whether it would take any steps to prevent children from drinking it.
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