Energy Drink Preference: Feasibility Report

Energy Drink Preference: Feasibility Report

Table of Contents iii Table of Contents Table of Contents... iii Introduction... v Methods for Evaluating the Options... 3 Results of the Evaluation... 5 Taste Test Results... 5 Voted Best Overall... 6 Evaluation Summary... 6 Nutritional Value... 7 Price Differentiation... 7 Side Effects... 8 Conclusion... 9 Recommendation... 11

Introduction v Introduction Across the United States, college students are consuming more and more energy drinks. According to a study conducted by biomedical.com, fifty-one percent of participants surveyed reported they consumed greater than one energy drink per month. With so many students consuming these drinks, we wanted to know exactly which popular energy drink they preferred. In the following, we have constructed a feasibility report on the top selling energy drinks on the market in the U.S. Our research was developed by blind-testing students at the University of North Texas. The students rated each energy drink based on taste, flavoring, and overall preference. Our results showed that Red Bull was favored highly amongst its competitors, Amp, Monster, and Rockstar. Red Bull was rated highest in all three categories. Students also mentioned that Red Bull was great for the price as well. With our research, we unanimously conclude that Red Bull is the most preferred energy drink on the market today.

Methods for Evaluating the Options 3 Methods for Evaluating the Options Information gathered for our assessment was based on four common energy drinks: Red Bull, Monster, AMP and Rockstar. Each product was blind taste-tested, based on flavoring and sugar content. We compared the nutrition facts of Taurine and Guarana from each energy drink to decide which would end up giving you the most energy. Evaluation on the feasibility of each energy drink was supported by these conditions. When determining which energy drink was the more preferred one, we considered a few main points: Taste, price, Nutritional Value (Taurine and Guarana) and effectiveness. Taste was based mainly off of sugar content and flavoring. The next factor that we considered was the price of each drink: AMP energy was $1.50, Monster was $2.50, Rockstar and Red Bull were both $3.00 each. Another factor considered was the nutritional value within each energy drink of Taurine and Guarana. The last factor that was taken into consideration was the effectiveness of each energy drink.

Results of the Evaluation 5 Results of the Evaluation The following chart results are based on a blind survey of 10 individuals. These ratings are based solely on the ten testers are not formed by any outside information via internet, articles, or other resources. The rating system was based on the sugar content, flavoring, and which energy drink was voted best out of the four tasted. The sugar content was rated based on either being too sugary for one s taste, not sugary enough, or perfect amount of sugar. The nutrient facts on all of the energy drinks were not included in the blind testing. The flavoring category is an individual overall taste was of each product. All energy drinks were original flavor, containing sugar, and no added flavoring. The final category of the blind survey is the option an individual would purchase based solely on the taste of all four products. Ratings on flavoring and sugar content are based on a final score of 50 within each category. The score of 50 is the highest score for the flavoring category based on an individuals palette. The score of 50 is the highest score for the sugar content being at the perfect amount. The product voted best overall is out of a total of 10; one vote from each individual. Taste Test Results Monster Rockstar Red Bull Sugar Content Flavoring AMP 0 10 20 30 40 50

6 Energy Drink Preference: Feasibility Report Voted Best Overall Voted best overall Monster Rockstar Red Bull Voted best overall AMP 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Evaluation Summary We evaluated the best energy drink based on nutritional facts, flavoring, energy gained, and side effects. The four products tested and researched resulted in Red Bull leading in three of the four categories. Our results are as followed in the table and listed research results. Option Cost Flavoring Sugar Content Voted Best Overall Amp $1.50 39 39 2 Red Bull $3.00 41 43 5 Rockstar $3.00 34 30 0 Monster $2.50 35 38 3

Results of the Evaluation 7 Nutritional Value Nutritional facts on all four options are based on an 8 oz. energy drink can. Guarana is a high concentration of a caffeine plant. Studies have shown that any level of guarana results in high blood pressure, headaches, nervousness, and jittery. Taurine on the other hand is a good source of antioxidants that are also found in meat and fish. Taurine has gotten a bad rep because of its association with energy drink but, the antioxidants result in an increase in mental performance and part of a dietary supplement. Amp Energy: Rockstar Original: ddfffww Calories 70 Sodium 65mg Sugar 29g Caffeine 71mg Guarana 0mg Taurine 10mg Calories 140 Sodium 40mg Sugar 31g Caffeine 80mg Guarana 25mg Taurine 1000mg Red Bull: Monster: Calories 160 Sodium 200mg Sugar 27 Caffeine 80mg Guarana 0mg Taurine 1mg Calories 100 Sodium 180mg Sugar 27g Caffeine 80mg Guarana 0mg Taurine 1000mg Price Differentiation Costs of Red Bull and Rockstar resulted on an average of $3.00 per 8 oz. can. While these two products are the higher-priced options, Amp Energy is the cheapest of its competitors at $1.50 per 8 oz. can. The mid-priced energy drink was Monster at a price of $2.50 per 8 oz. can. Research was shown that although there is a slight price difference in these four energy drinks, buyers are likely to buy a drink based on flavoring.

8 Energy Drink Preference: Feasibility Report Side Effects Amp: Amp energy drink has shown minimal side effects due to no traces of guarana. Without this added amount of high-power caffeine, Amp causes little to no jitters. The 10mg of taurine is an added plus to this energy drink to provide a small amount of antioxidant. Red Bull: This energy drink showed minimal side effects with no crashing from buyers and from no traces of guarana. Red Bull is the preferred energy drink out of the four options because of the lack of headaches, nervousness, and anxiety when consumed. Rockstar: This energy drink has shown the largest amount of negative side effects when it comes to health reasons. This is the only option that contains any amount of guarana. The 25mg of guarana is a negative side effect that results in jitters and possible insomnia. Although Rockstar contains guarana, this energy drink also contains 1,000mg of taurine that is an abundant source of antioxidant. Monster: Research has shown that Monster Energy Drink causes individuals to crash once the energy has ended. Although the crashes do occur, the nutritional value is far less unhealthy compared to its three competitors. Also, this energy drink contains 1000mg of taurine, which is an excellent source of antioxidants. Monster is the second leading energy drink, following Red Bull, pertaining to side effects.

Conclusion 9 Conclusion Based on our research and criteria, we have found Red Bull as the top competitor out of the four options. Red Bull provided the largest amount of gained energy and there was little-to-no negative side effects. Although the blind survey showed Red Bull was the favored energy drink of the four, both the sodium and calories count was the highest when comparing all the nutrient facts. Monster was the second pick within the blind survey with a lower amount of calories and caffeine but, large amounts of sodium. Rockstar resulted in the most negative feedback on the blind taste-testing. This energy drink also contains the harshest amount of ingredients that cause an increase in crashes and jitters. Amp proved to be the healthiest option of the four but, all blind tested mentioned the lack of sugar, flavoring, and suitable energy not reached. Although these drinks contained less-harsh ingredients, these drinks received the least amount of votes on flavoring and preferred sugar content. Our research and developed has resulted that the majority of customers preference towards energy drinks relies on energy gained, flavoring, and minimal negative side effects.

Recommendation Our recommendation of the four tested energy drinks is Red Bull. If an individual is looking for a quick energy boost and minimal effects of crashing, Red Bull is at the top of the list. Although this energy drink is not quite the healthiest pick, Red Bull will provide the longest-lasting energy, while providing a great tasting beverage.