Blue Charge



Blue Charge is the brand name of an energy drink, produced in the UK by Asda as an inexpensive alternative to such products as Red Bull and Powerade. It is often drunk in order to combat mental and physical fatigue, it contains, per 250 ml (8.3 U.S. fl. oz.) serving, about 27 g of sugar (glucose, sucrose), 1000 mg of taurine, 600 mg of glucuronolactone, B-complex vitamins and 80 mg of caffeine. The caffeine in one serving is less than that found in an average cup of coffee (typically 100 mg/250-ml cup) or twice as much as found in a can of Coke (40 mg/330-ml can) -around 80 mg per can. A diet version has been available since the beginning of 2003. Diet Blue Charge is sweetened with aspartame, as opposed to sucrose and glucose, as found in original Blue Charge.

The drink is described on the can as tasting of 'Fruit Flavours' and an alternative Cranberry Version is available. It is commonly used, by the British youth and student culture as mixer in alcoholic drinks such as vodka, when they are unable to afford a more expensive mixer.

Ingredients
The ingredients used in Blue Charge are exactly identicle to those used in Red Bull and as such are as follows:Carbonated Water, sucrose, glucose, sodium citrate, taurine, glucuronolactone, caffeine, inositol, (niacinamide, calciumpantothenate, pyridoxine HCL, Vitamin B12, natural and artificial flavors, and colors)

Pricing
The pricing of Blue Charge as of August 2007 is as follows: £0.24 for a 100ml can of Original and Diet Blue Charge; £0.48 for a 100ml can of Cranberry flavoured Blue Charge and £0.98 for a 500ml Bottle of Blue Charge.

Blue Charge Racing
Blue Charge has recently launched plans to enter the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship. It has proposed being supplied by Magnum Cars, a Polmont-based car producer with drivers Forrest and Stratton driving for the team.