FRS, the heavily marketed, and Lance Armstrong “approved” energy drink seems to be everywhere these days. It’s billed as a “healthy energy” alternative to all the other energy-related crap crowding the market right now. The big claims are that FRS boosts energy, enhances fitness, and supports the immune system.
At the heart of the FRS marketing effort, is an ingredient in the drink called quercetin. Mounting research has in recent years credited this “wonder” supplement with everything from increased stamina in athletic performance… to cancer prevention.
Bold claims.
For contrast, other studies do cast doubt on the benefits of quercetin, so I suppose the jury is still out on this one.
Personally I don’t supplement with the stuff as part of my own health and wellness routine. While I’ve tried and used many different supplements in the past, these days I’m sticking with a multi-vitamin and fish oil, plus whey protein.
However… always one to try the new and exciting, I volunteered myself for a highly “scientific” study on the fitness enhancing properties of FRS. How did I do this? Fair question…
I did it… by drinking a bottle of the stuff, and waiting. (How’s that for quality control? JAMA would be proud.)
So I waited… then waited some more. And then… well… nothing happened. I didn’t notice anything in the way of an energy boost. Nothing. While the drink does taste pretty good (I had the low cal Peach Mango,) it doesn’t taste $2.50 per can good, especially if I’m not getting the advertised energy boost.
In addition to quercetin, the drink also packs in some vitamin content for good measure, including, among others, vitamins C & E in heavy amounts — which is a good thing. It’s no secret that these vitamins are heavily researched antioxidants and do the body good. But there are far less expensive routes to getting some Vitamin C.
Bottom line: Unless you’re looking to grossly overpay for Vitamin C, then this one probably won’t cut it.
