Alert is an energy caffeine gum produced by the Wrigley's company that entered the U.S. market in April 2013.
Sales are aimed at adults 25 and older who want a portable energy product. An eight-piece pack of Alert retails for $2.99 (U.S.). [1] [2]
The gum is remarkable for a bitter, medicinal taste. [3]
According to the company, one piece of gum contains the same amount of caffeine as half a cup of coffee, which is about 40 milligrams. [4]
Wrigley temporarily halted production and sales of its Alert energy gum as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigates the safety of caffeinated-food products, especially the possible effects of caffeinated gum on children and adolescents. [5]
Caffeine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of the methylxanthine class. It is mainly used as a eugeroic (wakefulness promoter) or as a mild cognitive enhancer to increase alertness and attentional performance. Caffeine acts by blocking binding of adenosine to the adenosine A1 receptor, which enhances release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Caffeine has a three-dimensional structure similar to that of adenosine, which allows it to bind and block its receptors. Caffeine also increases cyclic AMP levels through nonselective inhibition of phosphodiesterase.
Red Bull is a brand of energy drinks created and owned by the Austrian company Red Bull GmbH. With a market share of 43%, it is the most popular energy drink brand as of 2020, and the third most valuable soft drink brand, behind Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Sinсe its launch in 1987, more than 100 billion cans of Red Bull have been sold worldwide, including over 12 billion in 2023.
Guaraná is a climbing plant in the family Sapindaceae, native to the Amazon basin and especially common in Brazil. Guaraná has large leaves and clusters of flowers, and is best known for the seeds from its fruits, which are about the size of a coffee bean.
Jolt Cola was a carbonated soft drink produced by The Jolt Company, Inc.. The cola drink was created in 1985 by C. J. Rapp as a highly caffeinated beverage. It was targeted towards students and young professionals, stressing its use as a stimulant in a similar manner as energy drinks. Its slogan reads "All the sugar and twice the caffeine!"
Mars, Incorporated is an American multinational manufacturer of confectionery, pet food, and other food products and a provider of animal care services, with US$45 billion in annual sales in 2022; that year Forbes ranked the company as the fourth-largest privately held company in the United States. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, the company is entirely owned by the Mars family. Mars operates in four business segments around the world: Mars Wrigley Confectionery, Petcare, Food, and MARS Edge, the company's life sciences division.
An energy drink is a type of functional beverage containing stimulant compounds, usually caffeine, which is marketed as providing mental and physical stimulation. They may or may not be carbonated and may also contain sugar, other sweeteners, or herbal extracts, among numerous other possible ingredients.
The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, known as the Wrigley Company, is an American multinational candy and chewing gum company, based in the Global Innovation Center (GIC) in Goose Island, Chicago, Illinois.
A caffeinated drink, or caffeinated beverage, is a drink that contains caffeine, a stimulant that is legal practically all over the world. Some are naturally caffeinated while others have caffeine added as an ingredient.
Rockstar is an energy drink created in 2001, which, as of 2020, had a 10% market share of the global energy drink market, the third-highest after Red Bull and Monster Energy. Rockstar is based in Purchase, New York. As of January 2013, Rockstar Energy Drink was available in more than 20 flavors and in more than 30 countries. Since March 2020 Rockstar is a part of PepsiCo.
Penguin Mints was a brand of caffeinated mints made by Seattle-based ifive brands. The company also produced caffeinated "energy gum", as well as non-caffeinated mints. The brand was introduced in 1998.
Four Loko is a line of alcoholic beverages sold by Phusion Projects of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Four Loko's recipe formerly included caffeine. Phusion operates as Drink Four Brewing Company. Four Loko, the company's most popular beverage, debuted in the United States market in 2005 and is available in 49 states, and in 21 countries including Ecuador, Guatemala, Paraguay, The Bahamas, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Bolivia, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, China, Canada and some countries in Europe. The name "Four" is derived from the original drink having four "key ingredients".
5 is a brand of sugar-free chewing gum that is manufactured by the Wrigley Company, marketed toward teenagers. The name "5" hints at the five human senses and that it has 5 calories.
Tilt was an alcoholic beverage launched by Anheuser-Busch in the United States in August 2005. It was sold in 16 and 24 fluid ounce cans. Its alcoholic content by volume varied. In 16oz cans, it ranged from 4-6.6% depending on state laws. In 24oz cans, its alcoholic content by volume was originally 12%, but was later lowered to 8% in 2010. The drink was reformulated in 2008.
Joose is a flavored malt beverage introduced by United Brands Co. in 2005. Joose is the first premium malt beverage at 9.9% ABV in a 24 oz can. It is also sold at 12% ABV and 14% ABV in a 23.5 oz can.
Think Gum is a brand of functional chewing gum made by Palo Alto, California-based company Think Gum LLC. Its packaging claims to "enhance concentration and improve memory". It contains caffeine, Ginkgo biloba, Bacopa, vinpocetine, guarana, peppermint and rosemary. The chewing gum is sugar free and contains 10 mg of caffeine per piece. The brand was introduced in late 2007.
Chocamine is a brand of cocoa powder found as an ingredient in many consumer health products, such as Nightfood, ChocoMind, ChocoEnergy, LifeMap, Chocoslim, ChocoLift, and ErgoLean AMP. In these consumer products, Chocamine is included to provide the taste, smell and purported health benefits of chocolate, without the sugar, fat, and dairy found in many confectionery products. Cocoa solids contain alkaloids such as theobromine and phenethylamine. According to its packaging, Chochamine's ingredients are cocoa powder, theobromine, tapioca starch, and 2% or less spices.
A caffeinated alcoholic drink is a drink that contains both alcohol and a significant amount of caffeine. Caffeine, a stimulant, masks some of the depressant effects of alcohol. However, in 2010 and 2011, this type of drink faced criticism for posing health risks to its drinkers. In some places there is a ban on caffeinated alcoholic drinks.
The 17 November 2010 United States ban on caffeinated alcoholic drinks is a ban which prevents the marketing and distribution of any prepackaged caffeinated alcoholic drink.
Prime is a range of sports drinks, drink mixes, and energy drinks created and marketed by Prime Hydration, LLC. The range is promoted and founded by YouTubers and internet personalities Logan Paul and KSI. The announcement and the release of the product in 2022 was followed by a social media hype associated with these social media personalities, who have tens of millions of followers combined. It was also promoted through mainstream sports sponsorship deals.
Steem was a brand of caffeinated peanut butter produced by STEEM Peanut Butter, Inc. The company was co-founded by Chris Pettazzoni, Keith Barnofski, and Andrew Brach and was based in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Sold in the United States between 2014 and 2019, the peanut butter was predominantly marketed as an alternative to coffee as a source of the stimulant caffeine. In 2015, US senator Chuck Schumer publicly criticized the high levels of caffeine in Steem, leading to the company being contacted by the Food and Drug Administration as part of a wider investigation into foods containing additional caffeine.