Caffeine Nation (blog post #5)

Ok, so we're all familiar with the seemingly endless variety of diet pills and workout supplements that are out there. We've seen the ads and heard the testimonials. Each product seems to have made a new "scientific breakthrough" that will ensure that you lose that extra ten pounds of belly fat or unwanted "cellulite" from your butt and thighs. Each product also seeks to separate themselves from the pack by claiming to have perfected "secret formulas" and include  "exotic, miraculous ingredients" that will ensure success where other products have previously failed.

So, just what are these miracle ingredients and secret formulas? What makes these new products so special? As it turns out, aside from the outrageously high price, nothing much at all. 

All of the 15 different diet pills and pre-workout supplements that I looked into carried one ingredient: Caffeine. The amounts of caffeine varied somewhat, but all contained between 60mg-200mg per dose. The supplements also varied somewhat in that pre-workout supplements often included high amounts of niacin (a vasodilator) and choline, while weight loss pills often combined caffeine with various types of diuretic ingredients. 

One company "Genius" markets a three product "value pack" (ironically) for $95 that consists of "Genius Diet Pills", "Genius Fat Burner" & "Genius Caffeine." This "value pack " lasts for 30 days. In doing some research I found that by purchasing off-brand, time-release caffeine, niacin, choline/inositol and a multi-vitamin I could concoct essentially the same supplements as "Genius" for about $12-14 a month. It doesn't take a "genius" (sorry, couldn't resist) to figure out what the better bargain is.

The fact is, the science isn't that complicated concerning caffeine. It works. It's a stimulant. You'll feel "energized." And, whether you drink two cups of ethically sourced and farmed, organic Peruvian coffee from the Feminino Estate, take an expensive diet pill or pop a Vivarin you are still ingesting and will feel the effects of 200 mg of caffeine.