As I move into Session 2 of the Media Literacy training, I always like for my participants to think about products that they think are cool and why. So recently I was in a candy store and I saw on the counter a product called "Mana Energy Drink." Now my first instinct is to say, wow this is some serious marketing towards kids playing video games using candy. Of course my 11 year old son says, can we get one. Now for those that do not know, mana is considered the life energy of your character and often you can give your character in a game a mana potion to give them more life/ energy. In essence, this product is to increase their life energy. So what does every good parent do, investigate the product. I pulled out my cell phone, took a snapshot, and to the web I go asking those questions:
1. Who makes it?
2. What is it for?
3. What is in it?
4. Is it safe?
So here is what I discovered from my internet search:
Who Makes it?
A small company called Harcos, Inc. It is actually co-founded/ co-owned by a gentleman named Aaron Rasmussen, who has some specialty in creating robotic sentry guns.
What is it for?
Well I am pulling this straight from the site:
Mana Energy Potion is the premium energy shot made by gamers for gamers. It's for long nights of gaming, partying, and the longer mornings that follow. It has lots of vitamins, no sugar, and no aftercrash.
What is in it?
The website has posted the ingredients label, and of the interesting parts in it, it is loaded with vitamins, the B kind. Well an article form the New York Times, shared that B vitamins are not what produce energy, despite what the ads say. Though they do help to interact with foods, we already get plenty of B vitamins in our daily diets, and the rest just flushes out. In addition, it is noted that too much Vitamin B can cause nerve damage.
Now the energy potion itself contains the following: Glucuronolactone (provide energy), Malic Acid, DL-Phenlalanine, L-Taurine (amino acid), N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine (increases brain activity), Caffeine and of course the Enzyme Blende contains: Amylase (breaks down sugars), Lactase (used to digest milk, or create a more pleasant taste), Cellulase (used to process coffee or break down human hairballs), Lipase (break down fats), Protease (controls reactions or "cascade of reactions" of protiens).
Though there is no sugar, the sucralose and Ethyl Malitol provide the sweet citrus flavor.
Is it safe?
All in all it sounds like this little potion really belongs in a health food store, and not on a candy shelf. Furthermore, Manapotions is quoted on their site as saying:
"Most of the statements on the website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, in fact, all of the statements on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA . That doesn't mean they're complete nonsense though. Mana Energy Potion is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."
Probably the most unsafe part of the potion is the amount of caffeine. Energyfiend compares Mana with other Energy drinks and it clearly tops the list. So a little more research finds a bit of research from the Marine Institute on alcohol and energy drinks that states:
"Although there is debate regarding the benefits of energy drink and caffeine consumption, there is consensus among health researchers that caffeine consumption can have adverse health consequences, particularly at high doses. Among the most common negative effects are increased anxiety, panic attacks, increased blood pressure, increased gastric acid,bowel irritability,and insomnia.According to an article published by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, caffeine is considered an addictive drug under standard drug diagnosis criteria, and doses of 500 mg or more (four to eight servings of most energy drink brands) can result in caffeine intoxication.
51 Dependent users report an inability to quit or to cut down their consumption, despite having medical or psychological problems made worse by caffeine,and they report continued use of caffeine to avoid experiencing caffeine withdrawal symptoms. Contrary to popular belief and industry marketing claims, caffeine does not enhance sports performance and can have a negative impact at high doses because of its diuretic effects. " Marine Institute Energy Dirnk Report