Red Bull has been around for more than a century and still is one of the top-selling beverages in the world. Its most popular flavor is Red Bull, which contains a high caffeine content. Since caffeine is a “nootropic” or brain boosting neurochemical, some have wondered if Red Bull contains compounds that can help improve erectile dysfunction (ED) and other types of sexual dysfunction in men. Does Red Bull contain viagra? Let’s take a closer look.
Red Bull’s Caffeine Content
The caffeine content of Red Bull is high, averaging about 70 milligrams per 8-ounce serving. That’s more than twice the caffeine content of a typical cup of coffee (about 25 milligrams per cup). A study published in the International Journal of Obesity attributed the drink’s popularity to its stimulatory effects on the central nervous system. In the study, researchers compared the effects of a caffeinated and decaffeinated version of Red Bull on metabolic parameters in menopausal women.
The findings suggested that caffeinated Red Bull could possibly help combat age-related metabolic declines in men. In fact, other research has shown that caffeine may increase human growth hormone, which can have positive effects on men’s health.
Does Red Bull Cause Blood Pressure Raises?
Red Bull has been shown in numerous studies to increase blood pressure in humans. A study published in the journal Hypertension found that people who drank one or more cans of Red Bull per day had significantly higher blood pressure than those who didn’t drink the caffeinated energizer, although the study didn’t specifically examine whether the increased blood pressure was a cause or an effect of the caffeine.
The amount of caffeine in Red Bull can vary greatly, from 60 milligrams to as high as 130 milligrams per cup. That means the drink can contain more or less caffeine than the typical 8-ounce serving, so if you’re looking to avoid caffeine-related problems, you may want to steer clear of Red Bull unless it’s labeled as being low caffeine.
Is Red Bull Safe To Drink?
Despite its popularity and wide availability, Red Bull still isn’t considered to be a healthy option for people with certain medical conditions. Individuals with cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, or liver disease shouldn’t drink it due to its high caffeine content. However, for people with no known health problems, it’s perfectly safe to drink as long as they follow the recommended serving size.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that men consume no more than 300 milligrams of caffeine per day, and women should limit their daily intake to 200 milligrams. That’s a lot of caffeine! More than twice those recommended daily amounts are found in a single cup of coffee, so it’s no wonder that coffee is another ingredient in Red Bull.
Red Bull And ED
People who drank more than three cups of coffee per day had a 35% increased chance of developing an erection problem. Coffee is known to contain caffeine, which plays a role in the regulation of blood vessels and nerves, both of which affect the sex drive. Coffee also contains antioxidants, which may have neuroprotective benefits, especially in preventing Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. However, coffee has also been shown to cause or contribute to the following:
- heart disease
- diabetes
- liver disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- prostate cancer
- menstrual problems
- nervousness
- sexual dysfunction
- depression
- irritability
So, while coffee can be good for you in small amounts, too much of it can cause harm, particularly if you have one of the above medical conditions. That’s why if you have ED or any type of sexual dysfunction, you may want to avoid coffee and especially coffee-based beverages, like Red Bull.
Does Red Bull Help With Weight Loss?
Red Bull has been clinically proven to help people lose weight in two separate studies, both of which were published in the journal Appetite. In the first study, volunteers who drank a can of Red Bull daily for three months experienced a significant decrease in their body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat, while the control group showed no significant changes.
The second study was a long-term trial that examined the effects of a caffeinated versus decaffeinated Red Bull drink on individuals’ weight. Over the course of a year, the researchers randomized subjects to drink either a caffeinated or decaffeinated Red Bull or a placebo drink and followed them for ten months. The results showed that the caffeinated Red Bull group had significantly lower body weight and BMI than the other two groups at the end of the trial, demonstrating that the beverage can be an effective part of a weight loss program. Interestingly, the decaffeinated Red Bull group had a higher energy intake and consumed more food than the other two groups, which may have led to their higher weight gain over the duration of the trial.
While these studies suggest that Red Bull can help people lose weight, we need to point out that this isn’t a FDA-approved use of the product, so you shouldn’t expect to lose weight just by drinking it. If you are looking to lose weight, you may want to try a more natural approach, like cutting out foods that are high in carbs or following a low-carb diet. You may also want to consider trying a diet pill or powder, which can help increase your body’s thermogenesis (heat production) and reduce your appetite, leading to weight loss.
Is Red Bull An Effective Natural Approach To Improve Sex Drive In Men?
Red Bull is typically viewed as a quick fix for people who are low on libido (sexual desire), but there’s more than one way in which the product can help improve your sex drive. In a study published in the journal Experimental and Behavioral Pharmacology, volunteers who consumed a caffeinated Red Bull drink had higher serum levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which can have a positive effect on men’s sexual function.
SHBG is a protein that acts as a carrier for sex hormones, like testosterone and estrogen, which means it can increase the amount of hormones in your system, effectively raising your sex drive. So, while Red Bull doesn’t contain an active compound that can directly increase libido, it can help improve testosterone and estrogen levels, potentially leading to increased sex drive. It’s also worth noting that the hormone SHBG is also directly linked to cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health, so it’s not completely without beneficial effects on the body (even if it does raise blood pressure).
Summary
Red Bull is one of the most popular energy drinks in the world, sold in more than 120 countries. Its most popular flavor is Red Bull, which contains a high caffeine content. However, if you have one of the above medical conditions, it’s best to avoid coffee and especially coffee-based beverages, like Red Bull, due to its significant effects on the heart and liver. Nevertheless, for those who are looking for a natural way to improve their sex drive, the findings from two studies suggest that Red Bull can be an effective option.