I found a very interesting article while surfing one of the greatest sports blogs on the Web, Deadspin. According to The Brown Daily Herald, the NCAA has sent out an email to coaches and student-athletes informing them that some flavors of Vitaminwater are banned under the body's rules. According to an organization that conducts drug testing for some NCAA schools, six of the 15 flavors of Vitaminwater "contain common stimulates or other psychoactive chemicals that could be problematic for both the University and the student-athletes." The article made me think back to some baseball players (not A-Roid or Baroid) who have blamed their positive tests on supplements and unknown ingredients (and for fairness, I think some football players used this "dog ate my homework" style defense as well). I just wonder if any of them sampled Vitaminwater ahead of their tests. However, back to the problem.
The questioned flavors of Vitaminwater are Power-C, Energy, B-relaxed, Rescue, Vital-T, and Balance -- but only Energy and Rescue contain the horrifying banned substance of caffeine (which is banned in concentration greater than 15 micrograms per millimeter). Actually, Energy also has guarana seed extract. According to the article, Power-C, B-relaxed, and Rescue contain taurine (which is also in Red Bull), L-theanine, and ECGC (from green tea extract). Balance has glucosamine and Vital-T has chemicals found in rooibos tea extract.
While athletes are supposed to know what is going into their bodies, I find it a tad tough to believe that these water products could really give that much of an edge. I could be wrong, and I am sure some will be quick to point out if I am, but I have tried Red Bull -- it was disgusting, and gave me no wings.
Ultimately, this could hit Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) in the pocketbook, as they are the producer of the forbidden fruit. The beverage behemoth has spent the past couple of weeks bouncing between the $43.50 and $42 levels, but we could see this change, as the firm is set to report earnings on February 12. Better-than-expected results could send the stock higher, but it would need to take out resistance from its10-week and 20-week moving averages in the process. These trendlines have pushed the shares lower since early 2008, and don't look like they are ready to stop acting as resistance.
For the record, KO is expected to report earnings of roughly 62 cents per share, with a low estimate of 59 cents and a high estimate of 67 cents (according to AOL Finance). The company has topped earnings estimates consistently, so let's see if this week's results continue to be the real thing for KO.
Now, if you will excuse me, A-Roid and I are headed down to the corner store to pick up a few cases of Vitaminwater.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-14-2009 @ 2:31PM
dkandmp said...
Those are all my favorite vitamin water flavors. I like to drink them as opposed to plain water, but I don't find that they give me any more energy than normal. There are times when certain chemicals will make a drug test positive, even though the person hasn't taken that particular drug. Maybe that is what is the deal with the vitamin waters. Who knows.
2-14-2009 @ 3:07PM
gstraattusone said...
I drink them all of the time, no problems here
2-14-2009 @ 3:08PM
Imyrluv66 said...
I sell Vitamin Water and drink it too. There is nothing wrong with Taurine, in fact, it has to be in those nasty energy drinks, since it is to protect the heart from all that caffeine.
2-14-2009 @ 3:25PM
Heather said...
Why would it hurt their sales? The "forbidden fruit" thing, I would think, would work in their favor. People would think if it gives athletes such an edge they can't drink it, then it must be good stuff.
2-14-2009 @ 3:30PM
Tasso Paris said...
wow I had better rush and load up on those VITA+ waters before they are modified by the CocaCola Company!
2-14-2009 @ 3:40PM
Suzanne Custer said...
I have had stomach problems for approximately 15 years. I am lactose intolerant, have IBS, acid refulx, severe bloating of my stomach and the list goes on. There's not too much out there in the food chain that agrees with me. I have to chew tablets of Lactaid before each meal, take I probiotic before dinner, drink a perscription fiber drink before bedtime. I also take 2 Nexium per day which costs me $ 160 per month. I recently started drinking Vitamin water and what a blessing it has been. Probably because I am so run down, I do find that it does give me a little bit more energy, but best of all, I'm getting some vitamins into my system. I don't desire coffee like I used to, and it has also increased my appeitite. Reason for the long comment...if anyone out there is having the same problems.....drink Vitamin water!
2-14-2009 @ 4:07PM
joanne said...
I, too, have digestive problems. Vitamin water has been a true blessing. I buy it by the case, the kids drink it, and it will not be banned , ever , in my house.
2-15-2009 @ 5:42PM
david said...
No athlete should ever consume caffeine. It dehydrates you and over-stimulates the central nervous system causing fatigue. It is NOT a source of energy. Energy only comes from three sources: Fats, Carbs and Proteins. Secondarily, athletes should be drinking products sweetened with cane sugar or sucrose since these process as a muscle glycogen. Vitamin Water (as well as junk like Muscle Milk) contains primarily synthetic sweeteners. There are only three quality products I recommend for athletes as a performance aid or recovery supplement: X-milk, Water, Whole Milk. Every parent should speak to a registered dietician before allowing their children to consume anything labeled as an energy or sports drink.
2-14-2009 @ 7:29PM
Andre said...
Perhaps I'm confused, but if caffeine is a banned substance does that mean student-athletes can't have coffee? And since the question was asked, "Will the ban hurt Coke's earnings?" does the NCAA's ban on caffeine hurt Starbucks or Caribou Coffee's earnings? I doubt it.
2-14-2009 @ 7:37PM
drgata25 said...
I'm still going to drink vitamin water.
2-16-2009 @ 9:55PM
Katie said...
I really think AOL has gotten bored. This story is ridiculous! Athletes can't have a lot of things! Don't worry about your vitamin water, it'll be there in the morning.
2-17-2009 @ 12:30AM
Uncla Al said...
If Coke wants to really boost their stock, they should bring back the REAL, ORIGINAL COKE. LOL
2-17-2009 @ 12:38AM
purplelauren said...
omfg whatever. i just bought a power-c and energy flavored vitamin water. caffine is horrific?! wtf! if athletes cant have caffine why are they drinking vitamin water?!? this is so pointless. complete lie.