Someone that calls himself “Big Red Boots” reviews energy drinks for the Miami version of Examiner.com in a section called “Caffeine Examiner.”  Back in May, he reviewed FRS and here is some of what he had to say.

This is a non carbonated gooey sprite syrup. They say shake well and they are not kidding as this drink’s ingredients settle.  I tried a sip warm right from the GNC and it reminded me of when you leave your open lemon lime soda out for a long while and forget about it - and then accidentally take a swig a couple days later (ewww). This is supposed to be 10% juice - but you would never know it from the taste.

I’m wondering (because he does not specify) if he actually drank the concentrate without diluting it.  You know, you are supposed to mix a small portion of the concentrate with a bottle of water.  I can imagine the concentrate tasting very syrupy if you don’t mix it with water, but when you do it correctly, it tastes like mildly flavored water. Here’s more of his review on the health aspects of FRS.

They say this is more healthy than eating a cup and a half of blueberries, mixed with a glass of green tea; containing more Flavonoids (yes, that actually is a real word) than 5 full cups of raspberries!
But what other exotic and unusual food items might have this wonder drug to make you feel super energized, lose weight and feel more alert without the caffeine? Apples. Plain old Fuji, Red delicious and granny smith. Food scientist Chang Y. Lee found that given the potential benefits of quercetin, plus the other nutritious qualities of apples, he suggests that people add an apple to the mix of fruits and vegetables that they eat each day.

Yes, as is always the case, eating the real, naturally occuring food upon which an energy supplement is based will always produce better, more healthy results.  However, if I had the time and energy to stop and eat an apple, I wouldn’t be looking for an energy drink or supplement.  He tries to discount the healthy benefits of FRS by comparing it to the real thing.  Compare it to the other garbage energy drinks out there, so that you are comparing “apples to apples.”

I used to drink Red Bull and Monster for a quick boost on the go.  I try to eat fruits as often as possible, but I don’t always have them on hand at home or at work and they are not always available at the quick-stop.  I figure, FRS is a much healthier alternative to Red Bull or Monster and it also lasts a lot longer without the typical caffeine/sugar crash an hour later.  I always have a couple of the FRS chews on hand, if not a couple ready-to-mix single-serve packets.  They travel very well, I can keep a few wherever I may need them, and they are clearly more healthy than most alternatives.