Beware of the Red Bull

It picks you up. You can mix it with alcohol. And it might kill you.\nThe increasingly popular energy drink Red Bull is under investigation in the deaths of three people in Sweden by Swedish officials. \nThe drink is sold in grocery stores and even appeared in the Indiana Memorial Union stores last year.\nAlone, it might be safe, but when mixed with alcohol, as it so often is at some local bars, it can turn into a potentially harmful combination.\nRed Bull energy drink was created in 1987 by an Austrian businessman after traveling to Asia, according to the Red Bull Web site. The site says he sampled a few energy drinks during his travels, brought the idea home, and began marketing it across Europe. In 2000, 1 billion cans were sold. According to the Web site, Red Bull is the market leader in energy drinks.\nThe company suggests that it does everything from increasing physical endurance to speeding up metabolism rates. That makes sense, because amino acids and carbohydrates are included in every can. There are agents that help with detoxification in your body. But you also get the equivalent caffeine of one cup of coffee in every slim blue and silver can, which is not the best thing to mix with alcohol.\nTwo of the three deaths in Sweden occurred after drinking Red Bull mixed with vodka, and officials are investigating a link between the consumption of the mixed drink and the deaths. The other death occurred after drinking two cans of Red Bull after exercising, and again, an investigation is underway. Although there is no scientific evidence to link Red Bull to the deaths yet, the Swedish government has issued a warning against it.\nAnd so should we. Bartenders, please be careful with this drink until we know more about it's effects.\nKilroy's Sports Bartender Brian Maggert told the IDS that he would not consume a mixed drink made with Red Bull because "it's bad for your heart." And he might be right. \nAny mixed drink that increases your heart rate (by way of the Red Bull) and contains alcohol at the same time is probably worse than consuming alcohol alone.\nBar patrons, please also take heed. You decide what you put in your body. And although this drink might taste good and may make you feel like bouncing off the walls, it is not worth the risk to your health. Drink responsibly.\n