Caffeine/Red Bull addiction
Discussion
It's my main weakness.....sugar free caffeine drinks (red bull, tescos "kick", monster etc....you know the type. I don't have the ones full of sugar (instead, I go for the ones full of aspartame 
) and I'm going to try to at least significantly cut back, if not basically stop altogether.
I have been having 2-3 cans per day (500-750ml) which really cannot be doing me any good long term. Yesterday I had 1 in the morning and that was the last one of a multipack I had left, and today is my first day without one for god only knows how long. Mild (and I mean mild) headache at times and feeling a tiny bit tired but nothing horrendous....but I did want one earlier....
Anyone else tried cutting back on caffeine or these types of drinks?
My diet in general is very healthy; easily get 9-10 of my 5-a-day each day, I do lots of cycling (typically 10 hours a week or so, some times more, some times a bit less), I'm a skinny so-and-so at under 54kgs and 5ft 6", occasionally have a really bad "binge" day, where I'll eat absurd amounts of chocolate, ice cream, cake, biscuits or whatever, and then I won't touch the stuff for several weeks on end, so generally I'm healthy but this is something I'd really like to at least significantly cut back on....maybe have 1 or 2 per week tops, instead of about 20!
) and I'm going to try to at least significantly cut back, if not basically stop altogether.I have been having 2-3 cans per day (500-750ml) which really cannot be doing me any good long term. Yesterday I had 1 in the morning and that was the last one of a multipack I had left, and today is my first day without one for god only knows how long. Mild (and I mean mild) headache at times and feeling a tiny bit tired but nothing horrendous....but I did want one earlier....
Anyone else tried cutting back on caffeine or these types of drinks?
My diet in general is very healthy; easily get 9-10 of my 5-a-day each day, I do lots of cycling (typically 10 hours a week or so, some times more, some times a bit less), I'm a skinny so-and-so at under 54kgs and 5ft 6", occasionally have a really bad "binge" day, where I'll eat absurd amounts of chocolate, ice cream, cake, biscuits or whatever, and then I won't touch the stuff for several weeks on end, so generally I'm healthy but this is something I'd really like to at least significantly cut back on....maybe have 1 or 2 per week tops, instead of about 20!
Is it the taste or the buzz that you think you're addicted to? While I've never had issues with energy drinks, I was quite heavily addicted to fizzy drinks for a long time (Irn Bru being my main weakness!).
I found that drinking diluting juice helped a lot, I would make the drinks very concentrated to give a strong taste. After a while, I started drinking tap water instead. Now if I drink Irn Bru the taste is so intense it is unreal, it made me realise how much I was desenitized to the sweetness.
I found that drinking diluting juice helped a lot, I would make the drinks very concentrated to give a strong taste. After a while, I started drinking tap water instead. Now if I drink Irn Bru the taste is so intense it is unreal, it made me realise how much I was desenitized to the sweetness.
I tried giving up caffeine some years ago, and was forced to realise just what a powerful drug it is.
Got fed up with feeling rubbish in a morning, with coffee being the only thing to sort it out. I drank it at all times of the day though.
I was same as you with niggly head and struggling to concentrate. Strangely I also found I would have hangover symptoms even after 2 pints of beer.
Now I do drink coffee again, but generally only up to lunchtime.
If you are going to slow down on the caffeine, do it gently and don't underestimate its effects.
Got fed up with feeling rubbish in a morning, with coffee being the only thing to sort it out. I drank it at all times of the day though.
I was same as you with niggly head and struggling to concentrate. Strangely I also found I would have hangover symptoms even after 2 pints of beer.
Now I do drink coffee again, but generally only up to lunchtime.
If you are going to slow down on the caffeine, do it gently and don't underestimate its effects.
Rich1973 said:
I tried giving up caffeine some years ago, and was forced to realise just what a powerful drug it is.
Got fed up with feeling rubbish in a morning, with coffee being the only thing to sort it out. I drank it at all times of the day though.
I was same as you with niggly head and struggling to concentrate. Strangely I also found I would have hangover symptoms even after 2 pints of beer.
Now I do drink coffee again, but generally only up to lunchtime.
If you are going to slow down on the caffeine, do it gently and don't underestimate its effects.
Interesting. I haven't had one today and don't feel too bad. I am a little tired but I did cycle 60 miles today, so that may have something to do with it.Got fed up with feeling rubbish in a morning, with coffee being the only thing to sort it out. I drank it at all times of the day though.
I was same as you with niggly head and struggling to concentrate. Strangely I also found I would have hangover symptoms even after 2 pints of beer.
Now I do drink coffee again, but generally only up to lunchtime.
If you are going to slow down on the caffeine, do it gently and don't underestimate its effects.
So my last can was around 9am on Friday morning, it'll be interesting to see how I feel over the next couple of days as I get back to work. I don't necessarily want to completely stop, and never have one again, but having at least 2 per day is just a bit ridiculous really, 3 more often than not... can't be doing me any good.
Few years ago I was trying to stay awake to watch the F1 when it was on at silly o'clock. Rather than go to bed and wake up, I tried to stay awake with red bull and others.
I got a pack of six of each and drank them every 30 minutes or so. I felt so ill I've not had one since. This was a good seven/eight years ago. Even now the smell makes me feel sick.
Properly not the best way to quit, but might work!
I got a pack of six of each and drank them every 30 minutes or so. I felt so ill I've not had one since. This was a good seven/eight years ago. Even now the smell makes me feel sick.
Properly not the best way to quit, but might work!
Much like yourself(on a much lesser scale) I used to drink maybe 2 cans a day. Went on holiday, came back and haven't had one since. I probably do feel better for it. I have also cut down my coke intake . Now I just drink orange juice or flavoured Volvic mineral water.
I don't pee nearly as much as I used to now either.
. Now I just drink orange juice or flavoured Volvic mineral water.I don't pee nearly as much as I used to now either.
Ki3r said:
Few years ago I was trying to stay awake to watch the F1 when it was on at silly o'clock. Rather than go to bed and wake up, I tried to stay awake with red bull and others.
I got a pack of six of each and drank them every 30 minutes or so. I felt so ill I've not had one since. This was a good seven/eight years ago. Even now the smell makes me feel sick.
Properly not the best way to quit, but might work!
I probably won't take that approach I got a pack of six of each and drank them every 30 minutes or so. I felt so ill I've not had one since. This was a good seven/eight years ago. Even now the smell makes me feel sick.
Properly not the best way to quit, but might work!
"to help with your heroine addiction, take loads more than you normally do" said no doctor, ever
2-3 cans of energy drink probably isn't bad for you at all, except for that carcinogenic sweetner. Caffeine wise you could drink plenty more no issue at all. There is less caffeine in a normal sized red bull than a normal cup of coffee.
If you want to drop the drinks, but still want the caffeine to perk you up, as it can be addictive, just drop a few pro plus.
If you want to drop the drinks, but still want the caffeine to perk you up, as it can be addictive, just drop a few pro plus.
E65Ross said:
Rich1973 said:
I tried giving up caffeine some years ago, and was forced to realise just what a powerful drug it is.
Got fed up with feeling rubbish in a morning, with coffee being the only thing to sort it out. I drank it at all times of the day though.
I was same as you with niggly head and struggling to concentrate. Strangely I also found I would have hangover symptoms even after 2 pints of beer.
Now I do drink coffee again, but generally only up to lunchtime.
If you are going to slow down on the caffeine, do it gently and don't underestimate its effects.
Interesting. I haven't had one today and don't feel too bad. I am a little tired but I did cycle 60 miles today, so that may have something to do with it.Got fed up with feeling rubbish in a morning, with coffee being the only thing to sort it out. I drank it at all times of the day though.
I was same as you with niggly head and struggling to concentrate. Strangely I also found I would have hangover symptoms even after 2 pints of beer.
Now I do drink coffee again, but generally only up to lunchtime.
If you are going to slow down on the caffeine, do it gently and don't underestimate its effects.
So my last can was around 9am on Friday morning, it'll be interesting to see how I feel over the next couple of days as I get back to work. I don't necessarily want to completely stop, and never have one again, but having at least 2 per day is just a bit ridiculous really, 3 more often than not... can't be doing me any good.
The good thing about caffeine is it's a short term addiction, once it's gone it's gone. You don't get cravings like you do on nicotine
TheBALDpuma said:
2-3 cans of energy drink probably isn't bad for you at all, except for that carcinogenic sweetner. Caffeine wise you could drink plenty more no issue at all. There is less caffeine in a normal sized red bull than a normal cup of coffee.
If you want to drop the drinks, but still want the caffeine to perk you up, as it can be addictive, just drop a few pro plus.
Some interesting comparisons here:If you want to drop the drinks, but still want the caffeine to perk you up, as it can be addictive, just drop a few pro plus.
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2013/nov/27/caffe...
It's not necessarily the caffeine I'm trying to cut out, but the fizzy drinks themselves can't be good for me.
The main reason is that I have quite advanced tooth enamel erosion....a while ago I was being sick daily for 15 months due a brain tumour, and that has caused some erosion, and by cutting out the fizzy drinks will help. Even sugar-free ones are still not great.
The main reason is that I have quite advanced tooth enamel erosion....a while ago I was being sick daily for 15 months due a brain tumour, and that has caused some erosion, and by cutting out the fizzy drinks will help. Even sugar-free ones are still not great.
Ross, how about flavoured carbonated water as an alternative? That's my drink of choice, lemon & lime flavoured from Aldi. The label says it has 0.5gm sugar per 100ml, I don't know how that compares with other drinks. It's all I drink apart from tea or coffee as alcohol is a no-no for me. The only other thing I can suggest is mouthwash after every drink but that's hardly practical.
Red Bull isnt so bad on the Caffeine, others are much worse but really they are generally just crap, they will give you a boost, Caffeine on its own does but throw a load of sugar into the mix you get the sugar rush as well.
As a concept I think they have a use, for me if I am tired on a long drive I will have a can of Red Bull, normal Coke is nearly as effective but it does a job, however most of the consumers of these drinks arent doing it to stave off sleep or improve athletic performance.
The 500 ML cans have 240 calories, all from glucose, so potentially, if you have a couple of those a day and normal food as well, would be easy to put weight on, also, am not a doctor but I am guessing that they arent really a great idea for avoiding diabetes, a huge load of sugar, charged up with Caffeine.
I think being 45, I kind of missed it as a craze, remember Red Bull in my twenties and used to have a can when flagging before going to the gym but wouldnt dream of drinking them sat in front of the Xbox like my sons have done, not sure how much energy twiddling thumbsticks and buttons requires ?
http://www.caffeineinformer.com/top-10-energy-drin...
As a concept I think they have a use, for me if I am tired on a long drive I will have a can of Red Bull, normal Coke is nearly as effective but it does a job, however most of the consumers of these drinks arent doing it to stave off sleep or improve athletic performance.
The 500 ML cans have 240 calories, all from glucose, so potentially, if you have a couple of those a day and normal food as well, would be easy to put weight on, also, am not a doctor but I am guessing that they arent really a great idea for avoiding diabetes, a huge load of sugar, charged up with Caffeine.
I think being 45, I kind of missed it as a craze, remember Red Bull in my twenties and used to have a can when flagging before going to the gym but wouldnt dream of drinking them sat in front of the Xbox like my sons have done, not sure how much energy twiddling thumbsticks and buttons requires ?
http://www.caffeineinformer.com/top-10-energy-drin...
J4CKO said:
Red Bull isnt so bad on the Caffeine, others are much worse but really they are generally just crap, they will give you a boost, Caffeine on its own does but throw a load of sugar into the mix you get the sugar rush as well.
As a concept I think they have a use, for me if I am tired on a long drive I will have a can of Red Bull, normal Coke is nearly as effective but it does a job, however most of the consumers of these drinks arent doing it to stave off sleep or improve athletic performance.
The 500 ML cans have 240 calories, all from glucose, so potentially, if you have a couple of those a day and normal food as well, would be easy to put weight on, also, am not a doctor but I am guessing that they arent really a great idea for avoiding diabetes, a huge load of sugar, charged up with Caffeine.
I think being 45, I kind of missed it as a craze, remember Red Bull in my twenties and used to have a can when flagging before going to the gym but wouldnt dream of drinking them sat in front of the Xbox like my sons have done, not sure how much energy twiddling thumbsticks and buttons requires ?
http://www.caffeineinformer.com/top-10-energy-drin...
I did say that I drunk the sugar free versions As a concept I think they have a use, for me if I am tired on a long drive I will have a can of Red Bull, normal Coke is nearly as effective but it does a job, however most of the consumers of these drinks arent doing it to stave off sleep or improve athletic performance.
The 500 ML cans have 240 calories, all from glucose, so potentially, if you have a couple of those a day and normal food as well, would be easy to put weight on, also, am not a doctor but I am guessing that they arent really a great idea for avoiding diabetes, a huge load of sugar, charged up with Caffeine.
I think being 45, I kind of missed it as a craze, remember Red Bull in my twenties and used to have a can when flagging before going to the gym but wouldnt dream of drinking them sat in front of the Xbox like my sons have done, not sure how much energy twiddling thumbsticks and buttons requires ?
http://www.caffeineinformer.com/top-10-energy-drin...
E65Ross said:
J4CKO said:
Red Bull isnt so bad on the Caffeine, others are much worse but really they are generally just crap, they will give you a boost, Caffeine on its own does but throw a load of sugar into the mix you get the sugar rush as well.
As a concept I think they have a use, for me if I am tired on a long drive I will have a can of Red Bull, normal Coke is nearly as effective but it does a job, however most of the consumers of these drinks arent doing it to stave off sleep or improve athletic performance.
The 500 ML cans have 240 calories, all from glucose, so potentially, if you have a couple of those a day and normal food as well, would be easy to put weight on, also, am not a doctor but I am guessing that they arent really a great idea for avoiding diabetes, a huge load of sugar, charged up with Caffeine.
I think being 45, I kind of missed it as a craze, remember Red Bull in my twenties and used to have a can when flagging before going to the gym but wouldnt dream of drinking them sat in front of the Xbox like my sons have done, not sure how much energy twiddling thumbsticks and buttons requires ?
http://www.caffeineinformer.com/top-10-energy-drin...
I did say that I drunk the sugar free versions As a concept I think they have a use, for me if I am tired on a long drive I will have a can of Red Bull, normal Coke is nearly as effective but it does a job, however most of the consumers of these drinks arent doing it to stave off sleep or improve athletic performance.
The 500 ML cans have 240 calories, all from glucose, so potentially, if you have a couple of those a day and normal food as well, would be easy to put weight on, also, am not a doctor but I am guessing that they arent really a great idea for avoiding diabetes, a huge load of sugar, charged up with Caffeine.
I think being 45, I kind of missed it as a craze, remember Red Bull in my twenties and used to have a can when flagging before going to the gym but wouldnt dream of drinking them sat in front of the Xbox like my sons have done, not sure how much energy twiddling thumbsticks and buttons requires ?
http://www.caffeineinformer.com/top-10-energy-drin...
J4CKO said:
E65Ross said:
J4CKO said:
Red Bull isnt so bad on the Caffeine, others are much worse but really they are generally just crap, they will give you a boost, Caffeine on its own does but throw a load of sugar into the mix you get the sugar rush as well.
As a concept I think they have a use, for me if I am tired on a long drive I will have a can of Red Bull, normal Coke is nearly as effective but it does a job, however most of the consumers of these drinks arent doing it to stave off sleep or improve athletic performance.
The 500 ML cans have 240 calories, all from glucose, so potentially, if you have a couple of those a day and normal food as well, would be easy to put weight on, also, am not a doctor but I am guessing that they arent really a great idea for avoiding diabetes, a huge load of sugar, charged up with Caffeine.
I think being 45, I kind of missed it as a craze, remember Red Bull in my twenties and used to have a can when flagging before going to the gym but wouldnt dream of drinking them sat in front of the Xbox like my sons have done, not sure how much energy twiddling thumbsticks and buttons requires ?
http://www.caffeineinformer.com/top-10-energy-drin...
I did say that I drunk the sugar free versions As a concept I think they have a use, for me if I am tired on a long drive I will have a can of Red Bull, normal Coke is nearly as effective but it does a job, however most of the consumers of these drinks arent doing it to stave off sleep or improve athletic performance.
The 500 ML cans have 240 calories, all from glucose, so potentially, if you have a couple of those a day and normal food as well, would be easy to put weight on, also, am not a doctor but I am guessing that they arent really a great idea for avoiding diabetes, a huge load of sugar, charged up with Caffeine.
I think being 45, I kind of missed it as a craze, remember Red Bull in my twenties and used to have a can when flagging before going to the gym but wouldnt dream of drinking them sat in front of the Xbox like my sons have done, not sure how much energy twiddling thumbsticks and buttons requires ?
http://www.caffeineinformer.com/top-10-energy-drin...
I think this is one of those things we're led to believe are bad for us but actually no one can tell us why. The caffeine content is no worse than a cup of coffee, and if you're going for sugar free I fail to see the problem.
Just back to your earlier point OP, I am curious though, why is sugar free so bad for tooth enamel?
The acidity is momentary, and far less than is found in naturally occurring fruit juices and some foods. Unavoidable sugars from food surely make it insignificant...
Just back to your earlier point OP, I am curious though, why is sugar free so bad for tooth enamel?
The acidity is momentary, and far less than is found in naturally occurring fruit juices and some foods. Unavoidable sugars from food surely make it insignificant...
Prof Prolapse said:
I think this is one of those things we're led to believe are bad for us but actually no one can tell us why. The caffeine content is no worse than a cup of coffee, and if you're going for sugar free I fail to see the problem.
Just back to your earlier point OP, I am curious though, why is sugar free so bad for tooth enamel?
The acidity is momentary, and far less than is found in naturally occurring fruit juices and some foods. Unavoidable sugars from food surely make it insignificant...
I'm not sure, my dentist said that carbonated/fizzy drinks aren't good, even if sugar free...Just back to your earlier point OP, I am curious though, why is sugar free so bad for tooth enamel?
The acidity is momentary, and far less than is found in naturally occurring fruit juices and some foods. Unavoidable sugars from food surely make it insignificant...
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