In our research project, we will try to compare the qualitative contents of some energy drinks. These drinks will vary from international drinks to simple local energy drinks. To differentiate energy drinks form other drinks, such drinks can be compared t

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Chemistry

Background Information:

When a person is exercising, or undergoing some sort of a strenuous activity, it has often been observed that they drink a lot of drinks. This maybe in the form of water, energy drinks, juice or it may even be carbonated sodas. Why is this so?? What Benefits do athletes get from drinking energy drinks?? How does fitness relate to energy drinks??

This answer lies in the basic chemical structure of energy drinks. These drinks consumed during exercising are much more complex than what they look like. They comprise of some vital nutrients which give the respective drinkers quick energy.

Energy Drinks  

Energy drinks are drinks designed to increase stamina and improve physical performance. Some energy drinks are designed especially for elite athletes, but most are produced and marketed for the general community.

The main ingredients in energy drinks are caffeine, taurine and glucuronolactone. Some new drinks on the market also contain opium poppy seed extract or ephedrine.

Details of the ingredients present in some energy drinks:

Chlorine

Ions

pH

Glucose is the body’s preferred fuel. Energy drinks contain a ton of sugar which means, they contain a lot of energy. It’s a carbohydrate, and a lot of exercise regiments suggest a good dose of carbohydrates for workouts lasting more than an hour. However, to much sugar intake has been proved to cause diabetes.

Taurine is an amino acid that our body naturally produces. It helps regulate heartbeat, muscle contractions, and energy levels. Usually the body makes enough that supplements are not needed. It’s thought, but not proven, that under “stress conditions” like illness, physical exertion, or injury, the body does not create enough and supplements can help. Taurine might be a “mild inhibitory neurotransmitter”, some studies show it helps with excitable brain states, suggesting its addition to most energy drinks.

Ginseng, an adaptogenic herb, is known to increase energy, relieve stress and increase memory. However, it does contain some anti-fatigue components. Right now it’s suspected that ginseng helps stimulate the hypothalamic and pituitary glands, which then secrete something called adrenal corticotropic hormone. Ginseng is nothing that’s naturally created in the body, so having it in drinks certainly won’t hurt. 200mg/day is the standard dose, but one can safely take up to 2700mg.

 Anti-oxidants help the body gracefully recover from the damage of free radicals. Vitamin C is the most common anti-oxidant. Energy drinks containing a lot of Vitamin C can be compared to a really fresh orange juice. Anti-oxidants help fend off illness and prevent cellular damage. Vitamins C, E, and Vitamin A, are all anti-oxidants.

Besides these common ingredients, energy drinks contain, sodium, magnesium and other ions. They are all a mixture of different chemicals performing their desired actions when it enters the human body.

Thus, in this research project, we decided to analyse energy drinks and perform different types of qualitative tests on these drinks; so as to verify whether or not what the labels on the drinks, say, are true. As a result, different drinks are to be tested qualitatively. At the end of the experiments, a much more general idea of energy drink contents would be seen.

In our research project, we will try to compare the qualitative contents of some energy drinks. These drinks will vary from international drinks to simple local energy drinks. To differentiate energy drinks form other drinks, such drinks can be compared to carbonate ones as well. We will be performing the following qualitative tests:

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  1. Test for Chloride Anion
  2. Test for Reducing Sugars
  3. Test for pH
  4. Test for Electrolyte

Aim:

To test numerous energy drinks for some essential chemicals present, and validate its ingredients, as suggested by the manufacturers.  

Apparatus:

To carry out these tests in a systematic order, a lot of materials are required. The list of the apparatus needed is given below:

  • Test Tubes (3-4)
  • Beakers
  • Dropper
  • Tripod Stand
  • Bunsen Burner
  • Distilled Water
  • pH meter
  • Connecting Wires
  • Battery
  • Mili-Ammeter
  • Light Emitting Diode (LED)
  • Benedict’s solution
  • Silver Nitrate (AgNO3) solution

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