Energy Shot v Energy Rinse

Top 5

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1. Volumetricsthe impact of visual space on consumption

• Through her research, Dr. Barbara Rolls discovered, “Over the course of a day or two, a person eats about the same weight of food.”

• The key to Volumetrics is manipulating the energy density [calories per unit of weight (grams or ounces)] so a person feels fuller even though they’re eating less.

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1. Volumetrics AND CAFFEINEthe impact of visual space on consumption

Energy Shot

• Energy shots are concentrated, so it’s easy to underestimate the power of the caffeine delivered. Many energy shots are actually two servings per bottle, so it’s very easy to ignore the “drink half” instructions and consume too much.

• By the time the caffeine reaches your stomach and starts to get absorbed, it’s too late to do anything if you’ve consumed more than you can handle.

(If you were nursing an 8 or 16 ounce energy drink or coffee, you might feel the caffeine’s effects and stop drinking before you had consumed the whole container…

Or you might still over-consume if you suffer from “Clean Plate Syndrome”)

Energy Rinse

• When the rinse mimics the shape and size of an energy shot, some people who have had energy shots before will benefit from a Pavlovian effect of knowing this tiny bottle will give them energy

• Swish4Energy is nearly half the size of an energy shot, which is a great reminder that we don’t always need as much caffeine as we think G

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2. Mode of Ingestion

Energy Shot

• When swallowed, caffeine is one of the few nutrients that is absorbed through the stomach lining -- most everything else has to wait until reaches the small intestine.

• Regular caffeine consumers may feel caffeine as soon as 15 minutes after ingestion, but blood saturation occurs around the 40 minute mark

Energy Rinse

• Caffeine can be absorbed sublingually, which speeds up absorption and thus the time between consuming the caffeine and feeling its effects.

• Though the caffeine is absorbed more quickly through the tissue under the tongue, some of it may not be absorbed at all and will be spit out with the rinse.

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2. Mode of Ingestion

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Source: Caffeine Informer: Caffeine Absorption http://www.caffeineinformer.com/caffeine-absorption

3. Portability

• Both energy shots and energy rinse are stable and palatable at room-temperature, and extremely easy to fit into a pocket. Thus, both are more convenient and portable than coffee or a typical energy drink

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4. Affordability

• Though prices vary by product, 5-hour Energy is the top-selling energy shot brand.

• A 6-pack of 5-Hour Energy costs almost $12 (S&H may apply).

• A 6-pack of Swish4Energy costs almost $12 (+ S&H)

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Energy Shot Energy Rinse

5. FindabilityFindability is the degree to which an item is possible to find.

“Energy emergencies” aren’t always easy to foresee, and you may find yourself in a situation where you do not have access to caffeine, but desperately need it (to stay awake on the road or to absorb the lessons of your training seminar).

5. Findability

Energy Shot

• Energy shots are prolific in gas stations, malls, grocery stores, and airports.

Energy Rinse

• Energy rinses are an emerging mode of caffeine consumption, and not (yet) available in all areas

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BOTTOM LINEThere is no one caffeine solution (pun intended) that works for everyone. The most important part of consuming caffeine safely is to consider what your body needs and to respect your own limits. If you are looking to wean caffeine intake, switching to a rinse might be easier than going cold-turkey, and you’d still reap many of the benefits of using an energy shot.

Thank You!

For more food science and caffeine insights, visit

greeneyedguide.com

Follow @GreenEyedGuide on Twitter

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Caffeine Comparison: Energy Shot v Energy Rinse