monster energy drink hammer experiment

Science in School

Cans with a kick: the science of energy drinks teach article.

Author(s): Emmanuel Thibault, Kirsten Biedermann, Susan Watt

If you ever buy an energy drink as a pick-me-up, do you know what it contains? Here we use laboratory chemistry to find out.

Look along the shelves in any local convenience store, and you’ll see an increasing number of ‘energy drinks’, all offering the promise of improved performance in sports and other activities – and with a strong appeal to many teenagers. But what’s in these drinks, and how much of it? Are they just high-priced sugar solutions – or can they actually be dangerous?

In this article, we show how you can check out some of the ingredients of energy drinks and their concentrations using the laboratory techniques of chromatography and colorimetry. Because of the advanced techniques involved, these activities are most suitable for older students (ages 14–19), and together take around 3–4 hours to complete. If your own school does not have all the equipment needed, perhaps link up with other schools: the activities work well as a collaboration.

Preparation: reading the labels

Manufacturers have to list the ingredients of energy drinks on the packaging (figure 1) or a website, so we start with this without doing any chemistry. Later on, we will compare the manufacturers’ information to the laboratory results.  

The ingredient in energy drinks that has the greatest effect is caffeine, which is also found in other drinks including tea, coffee and Coca-Cola®. Its effect as a stimulant is well known. In this preparatory activity, students research and compare caffeine concentrations in different drinks and work out how many portions would be needed to cause harmful side-effects. We suggest allowing 30–60 minutes for this activity.

• Internet access to carry out research
• Notebooks to record findings

Ask the students to do the following, on their own or in groups:

• Make a list of around five energy drinks, especially those that are promoted as containing caffeine. Include coffee (as a single espresso) for comparison.
• Use the internet to research each drink’s ingredients, including caffeine. Note the amount of caffeine in a single can or bottle and per 100 ml, if listed. If not, note the volume of the can or bottle so that you can work out the caffeine concentration (we will use this in one of the experiments).
• Use the internet to find out the caffeine dose at which harmful side-effects are expected. Does this depend on any other factors, e.g. body weight, or whether the consumer is an adult or a child?
• Make a table showing the following characteristics for each drink:
• List of ingredients
• Amount of caffeine in one can
• How many single espressos this is equivalent to
• How many cans you would need to drink to risk harmful side-effects.

Discuss the results as a class. What do students conclude about the ingredients of energy drinks and how safe they are? Could they kill you?

In our research, we found that an average can (250 ml) of an energy drink contains about 80 mg of caffeine, which is similar to the amount in a single espresso (60–100 mg). This is close to the dose that is likely to cause side-effects (100–160 mg).

Extracting the caffeine

Now we move on to the practical chemistry: extracting the caffeine and other organic compounds from the energy drink, and then identifying the caffeine using thin-layer chromatography. This activity takes 1.5–2 hours to complete.

Safety note

This procedure involves the use of pure caffeine (figure 2), which is toxic and should therefore not be available to students as a reagent. Teachers are advised to prepare the very small quantities needed for the experiment in advance.

See also the general safety note on the Science in School website.

For the extraction

• 50 ml of an energy drink
• 2 x 15 ml of an organic solvent that evaporates easily, e.g. ethyl ethanoate (ethyl acetate)
• 10 ml of a 1 M solution of suitable alkali, e.g. sodium carbonate
• 10 g anhydrous magnesium sulfate (for drying)
• Rotary evaporator, if available
• Universal indicator paper
• Separating funnel
• Filter paper
• 100 ml beakers
• Graduated cylinder
• Glass rod for stirring

For the chromatography

• Stationary phase: thin-layer chromatography plates pre-coated with silica gel, about 10 cm x 5 cm
• Eluent (mobile phase): 10 ml of a mixture of 30% methanoic (formic) acid and 50% butyl ethanoate (butyl acetate)
• Sample of pure caffeine (to provide a reference spot), made by dissolving the tip of one spatula of caffeine in 2–3 ml of ethanol
• UV light source
• Take 50 ml of the energy drink and add it to 9 ml of a 1 M solution of sodium carbonate in a beaker.
• Using indicator paper, check that the pH of the solution is between 8 and 10. If not, adjust the pH by adding a little more alkali or energy drink.
• Pour this solution into a separating funnel and add 15 ml of ethyl ethanoate. Shake the mixture well and leave it to settle so that the aqueous phase and the organic phase separate.
• Run off the aqueous phase (lower layer), then collect the organic phase (the top layer) in a clean beaker (figure 3).
• Add another 15 ml of ethyl ethanoate to the beaker containing the organic phase and repeat the operation, shaking and then collecting the organic phase.

• Remove the water from the organic phase by adding the anhydrous magnesium sulfate (figure 4).

• Evaporate the solvent from the organic phase using the rotary evaporator, if you have one. The water bath temperature should be 40 °C. Once the solvent has evaporated, you are left with a white powder – this is the caffeine extract. If you don’t have a rotary evaporator, continue to the next step with the caffeine extract still dissolved in the solvent.
• Now you are ready to analyse your sample. If you evaporated the solvent, add 1 ml of ethyl ethanoate to the caffeine extract powder to re-dissolve it.
• To begin the chromatography, prepare the 10 ml of eluent and pour this mixture into an elution tank (or a beaker with a cover).
• On a chromatography plate, make one spot using the pure caffeine solution (as a reference) and one spot using the caffeine extract solution.
• Allow the chromatography to proceed (figure 5; 10–15 mins), and then carefully remove the chromatogram.

• Finally, view the chromatogram under UV light, so that the spots become visible (figure 6). What do you see?

After the practical work, the whole class can discuss what they found. Try the following questions:

• In the extraction, why is the caffeine found in the liquid and not on the filter paper? (The caffeine dissolves in the solvent.)
• Why do we use an organic solvent for the extraction rather than water? (Sugars and minerals dissolve in the water, while caffeine dissolves better in organic solvents.)
• Why is UV light needed to see the caffeine on the chromatogram? (Caffeine is not coloured, but its chemical bonds absorb light in the near-UV region.)

For some drinks, there will be other spots visible on the chromatogram under UV light as well as caffeine, which students can try to identify from the drink’s list of ingredients. Probable compounds are the vitamins B 3 (niacin) and B 6 (pyridoxine), because some of the bonds (figure 7) in these compounds also absorb light in the near-UV region.

Testing the concentration

In this final activity, we use another chemical technique – colorimetry – to work out the concentration of caffeine in an energy drink and compare this to the advertised figure. Allow 60–90 minutes for this activity.

The strategy here is to use a set of reference solutions of caffeine at different known concentrations, and to compare the absorption of the energy drink to these values via a calibration graph.

As with the previous activity, this procedure involves the use of pure caffeine, which is toxic and should therefore not be available to students as a reagent. Teachers are advised to prepare the reference solutions of caffeine needed for the experiment in advance.

 Materials

• Energy drink (at least 20 ml)
• Reference solutions of pure caffeine in distilled water at concentrations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 mg/l (at least 20 ml of each)
• Distilled water
• Colorimeter that is sensitive to wavelengths between 250 nm and 380 nm (near-UV light)
• 20 ml volumetric flask
• Weighing balance and weighing dish
• Calibrate the colorimeter using distilled water.
• Using the colorimeter, measure the absorption at 271 nm of each reference solution in turn and record these readings. (Caffeine absorbs very strongly at this wavelength; figure 8.)

• Use the readings to plot a calibration graph linking absorption at 271 nm to caffeine concentration, drawing a straight line of best fit between the points (figure 9).

• Using a volumetric flask and pipette, dilute the drink by a factor of 20. (In normal concentrations, the absorption of caffeine is too high for the colorimeter to measure accurately.)
• Measure the absorption of the diluted drink at 271 nm.
• Using the calibration curve you have drawn, estimate the caffeine concentration of the diluted drink solution. Multiply this by 20 to find an estimate of the caffeine concentration of the original energy drink, in mg/l.
• Compare this result to the concentration of caffeine stated by the manufacturers (making sure you are using the same units in each case). Are they the same? If not, can you think of any possible reasons why this is? Has the manufacturer cheated?

Ask students to compare their results for the caffeine content of different energy drinks as a class discussion.

Then discuss what they found when they compared their own results to those published by the manufacturers. Were any of the experimental results higher than those published?

To explain this, students should think back to the first part of the experiment where some compounds other than caffeine were revealed by the chromatogram – typically the vitamins B 3 and B 6 . In fact, these same compounds also absorb at the 271 nm wavelength, so they increase the energy drink’s absorption at that wavelength. So when the drink’s absorption is used to find the caffeine concentration via the calibration graph, the reading is higher than it should be as a measure of the caffeine alone.

Caffeine and the brain

Energy drinks are popular because of their branding and association with sports and physical stamina. But can they also affect the way our brains work by stimulating our mental powers?

If you would like to find out about ways to investigate this, two classroom experiments that assess mental agility by measuring thinking and reaction times can be downloaded from the additional material section w1 . One is a number-matching task, the other a catching task.

Acknowledgement

This article is based on an activity published by Science on Stage, the network for European science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teachers, which was initially launched in 1999 by EIROforum, the publisher of Science in School . The non-profit association Science on Stage brings together science teachers from across Europe to exchange teaching ideas and best practice with enthusiastic colleagues from 25 countries.

At Science on Stage workshops, as well as discussions via email, 20 teachers from 15 European countries worked together for 18 months to develop 12 teaching units that show how football can be used in physics, chemistry biology, maths or IT lessons. These units were then published in 2016 by Science on Stage Germany as iStage 3 – Football in Science Teaching w2 . The project was supported by SAP.

The follow-up activity of iStage 3 is the European STEM League, which readers are invited to join and compete to become the European STEM Champion w3 .

Web References

• w1 – Download the supporting classroom experiments from the additional material section.
• w2 – The iStage 3 publication can be found on the Science on Stage website.
• w3 – Find out more about the European STEM League .
• The US Department of Agriculture website provides a breakdown of ingredients for a huge variety of foods and drinks available in the USA .
• The Authority Nutrition website has an informative article about the amount of caffeine in coffee .
• The How Stuff Works website has an accessible article on the history and composition of energy drinks .

Institutions

Emmanuel Thibault is an associate professor of physics and chemistry at Vaucanson High School in Tours, France. As well as teaching, he works on scientific and technical projects with his students, which has allowed them to win several prizes in national and international contests. Since 2013, Emmanuel has been involved with Science on Stage, and he contributed to the recent iStage 3 publication.

Kirsten Biedermann teaches at Widukind-Gymnasium (high school) in Enger, Germany. A graduate in physics, mathematics, fine arts and education, he specialises in teaching gifted and special-needs students. He is president of Ravensberger Erfinderwerkstatt, a non-profit club that supports STEM activities for young people, and is also active with Science on Stage, presenting projects at national and international festivals.

Susan Watt worked as a freelance science writer and editor before joining Science in School as an editor in 2016. She studied natural sciences at the University of Cambridge, UK, and has worked for many publishers and scientific organisations, including UK science research councils. Her special interests are in psychology and science education.

Do you need to teach organic chemistry but are worried that your students are not enthusiastic about the subject? Then this article is what you need to really engage your students.

Starting from energy drinks, a very popular beverage among teenagers, the authors provide activities that cover a wealth of science topics ranging from chemistry (including analytical techniques) to physics, biology, and health and nutritional education.

The activities begin with a web quest before continuing to qualitative and quantitative investigations, which together provide a progressive understanding of the topic and ensure your students stay engaged.

The activities may also be valuable for promoting critical thinking and encouraging students to make responsible choices about nutrition and health.

The online extension activity provides teachers with the opportunity to perform inspiring experiments on the effect of energy drinks on the brain, with further opportunities to address scientific methods, experiment planning and data processing.

Possible questions include:

• Which of the following beverages does not contain caffeine?
• How much caffeine is contained in one litre of an average energy drink?
• The concentration of caffeine in energy drinks measured with a colorimeter (according to the article protocol) is:
• Lower than that stated by manufacturer due to the presence of vitamin B 3 and B 6
• Higher than that stated by manufacturer due to the presence of vitamin B 3 and B 6
• Equal to that stated by manufacturer because vitamin B 3 and B 6 do not interfere
• Higher than that stated by manufacturer due to the presence of vitamin B 3 , C and B 12

Giulia Realdon, Italy

Supporting materials

Supporting classroom experiments (Word)

Supporting classroom experiments (Pdf)

Download this article as a PDF

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True North Energy Drink Review From My Personal Experience

• Post author: Clayton S. Johnson
• Post category: Life Style
• Post comments: 0 Comments

Looking for a cleaner energy boost? T rue North Energy Drink might be just the right choice for you. With zero sugar, calories, and artificial additives, it’s an appealing option for anyone seeking natural energy without the extra ingredients typically found in traditional energy drinks. 

Available in unique flavors like Cucumber Lime, Black Cherry, and Grapefruit Lemon, it caters to a wide variety of tastes. 

You can order True North Energy Drinks conveniently online, from places like Amazon and their official website, making it super easy to get your hands on them anytime.

Now, let’s break down everything you’d want to know about this refreshing, plant-based seltzer energy drink. I’ll cover the pros and cons, maintenance tips to maximize benefits, comparisons with other brands, and an FAQ section at the end to answer common questions. 

This way, you’ll have a complete look at True North to decide if it’s your next go-to drink.

What Makes True North Stand Out?

True North prides itself on using a blend of plant-based ingredients to provide natural energy. The drink is enhanced with an immunity-support blend of essential vitamins, such as Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Zinc, along with energizing B vitamins like B3, B5, B6, and B12. 

The caffeine comes from a mix of natural sources, including Guayusa, Ginseng, Guarana, and Green Tea, which provide a smooth energy boost without the jitters or crash.

For anyone who is health-conscious and cautious about what they’re putting in their body, True North’s zero-calorie, zero-sugar formula is a huge plus. 

Let’s face it: many people turn away from energy drinks because they’re loaded with sugars, synthetic ingredients, or other additives that might leave you feeling tired rather than energized. 

True North aims to change that perception by delivering a drink that’s refreshingly light yet effective.

Flavor Profiles and Variety Options

True North’s flavors are one of its main attractions. Here’s a quick taste of what each of their popular flavors offers:

• Cucumber Lime : This flavor combines the light and refreshing taste of cucumber with a hint of lime for an unexpectedly bright and clean taste. It’s perfect for warm days or after a workout, giving you the refreshment you need without a sugary aftertaste.
• Black Cherry : For anyone who loves bold and fruity flavors, Black Cherry is a fan favorite. It’s just the right balance of tart and sweet, offering a nice change from the more common citrus flavors found in other brands.
• Grapefruit Lemon : Tangy and slightly bitter, Grapefruit Lemon has a sophisticated profile that doesn’t overwhelm. It’s a solid pick for those who enjoy flavors with a bit of an edge, providing a bright and zesty flavor that feels invigorating.
• Mandarin Yuzu : If you’re a citrus lover, this might be your go-to. It’s a complex mix that brings together the sweetness of mandarin with the unique tartness of yuzu, resulting in a flavor that’s crisp and just slightly exotic.
• Watermelon Mint : Light, refreshing, and just a touch herbal, Watermelon Mint provides a cooling experience, perfect for warm days or as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.

Each flavor is carefully balanced so that it isn’t overly sweet, making them easy to drink whether you’re relaxing or on the go.

Pros and Cons of True North Energy Drink

No product is perfect, and it’s important to look at both the advantages and disadvantages of True North.

• No Sugar, No Calories : True North stands out because it provides energy without adding any sugar or calories, making it ideal for those watching their weight or sugar intake.
• Natural Ingredients : The use of plant-based energy sources (such as Guayusa, Ginseng, and Green Tea) offers a smooth and sustained energy release without the harshness of synthetic caffeine.
• Vitamin and Mineral Boost : True North’s added vitamins and minerals, particularly B vitamins and Zinc, offer immunity support while boosting energy.
• Unique Flavor Range : Unlike some brands that stick to the typical cola or citrus flavors, True North offers unique and refreshing options that are worth exploring.
• Environmentally Friendly Packaging : The cans are made from recyclable materials, and the brand promotes sustainable practices.
• Availability : True North might not be as widely available in stores as big brands like Red Bull or Monster, so you may need to order online.
• Premium Price : It’s priced slightly higher than mainstream energy drinks, which could be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers.
• Mild Energy Boost : For people used to higher doses of caffeine, the 120mg per can might feel too mild. It’s best for those looking for a moderate lift, not a high-stimulation experience.

Tips: Getting the Most Out of True North

Using True North as part of your daily routine can provide lasting benefits if done right. Here are a few tips to ensure you’re getting the maximum out of each can:

• Hydrate First : Start your day with a glass of water before diving into your True North drink. It helps with hydration and allows you to absorb the drink’s benefits better.
• Pair with Light Snacks : While it’s tempting to use an energy drink as a meal replacement, your body will thank you if you pair it with a healthy snack, like nuts or a banana. This way, you’re getting a balanced intake of caffeine and nutrients.
• Space Out Your Intake : Stick to one can a day, ideally in the morning or early afternoon. The caffeine in True North is moderate, but if you consume it too close to bedtime, it may still affect your sleep.
• Experiment with Flavors : Since True North offers a range of flavors, try out different options to keep things interesting and discover which flavors best suit your tastes. Some people enjoy alternating between fruity options and more herbaceous choices like Cucumber Lime.
• Alternate Flavors
• If you’re someone who likes a variety, alternating flavors can keep things interesting and prevent flavor fatigue.
• Drink It During Energy Slumps
• True North is great for that 2 p.m. slump when energy levels dip. It provides a steady boost without the crash, and you can enjoy the flavors without feeling overloaded.

True North Vs. Other Energy Drinks

When choosing an energy drink, it’s helpful to consider how True North compares to other brands like Red Bull, Monster, and Celsius.

• True North Vs. Red Bull

Red Bull is a classic, known for its signature taste and higher caffeine levels. But it comes with 27 grams of sugar per can and has around 110 calories. For people looking to avoid sugar, True North is a better option, providing caffeine without any sugar or artificial additives.

• True North Vs. Monster Energy

Monster Energy has a wide variety of flavors and options with intense caffeine content, sometimes up to 160 mg per can. True North, on the other hand, has 120 mg, making it a gentler option. While Monster is often favored by those who need a quick, strong energy hit, True North caters to a health-conscious audience looking for a clean energy boost without sugar.

• True North Vs. Celsius

Celsius is also marketed as a health-focused energy drink, similar to True North. Celsius contains 200 mg of caffeine, almost double that of True North, and includes ingredients geared towards metabolism. However, for those who are sensitive to high caffeine levels, True North’s moderate caffeine makes it a preferable alternative.

• True North Vs. Hiball

Hiball was another popular plant-based energy drink with clean ingredients, though it had a much stronger taste profile. Since Hiball has become harder to find, True North serves as a great alternative for those who miss Hiball’s plant-based caffeine and clean ingredient list.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes, True North is generally considered healthier than traditional energy drinks. With no sugar, calories, or artificial ingredients, it provides a clean energy boost from natural, plant-based caffeine. The added vitamins and minerals support immunity, making it a balanced option for energy seekers.

Each 12-ounce can of True North contains 120 mg of caffeine, which is moderate compared to other energy drinks. It’s enough to give you a noticeable lift without overwhelming your system.

True North, Celsius, and brands like Bai are often rated among the healthiest because they avoid excessive sugars and artificial ingredients. True North stands out for its all-natural, plant-based caffeine sources and zero-calorie content.

Yes, True North is a brand under the Monster Beverage Corporation, which allows it to benefit from Monster’s distribution network while offering a unique product profile that’s separate from Monster’s traditional lineup.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, True North offers a refreshing alternative to conventional energy drinks by focusing on natural ingredients, moderate caffeine, and a clean, guilt-free energy experience.

It’s well-suited for those looking to sustain energy without adding sugar, calories, or artificial flavors into their diet. If you’re ready to try an energy drink that feels good from the first sip to the last drop, consider ordering True North Energy Drink online and find your perfect flavor today.

Clayton S. Johnson

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