EAST BAY INSOMNIAC

JOLT  GUM IN SPEARMINT AND ICY MINT

WHAT IS IT?

Jolt Gum is speckled pellets of chewing gum containing caffeine, guarana and ginseng. The gum is available in blister packs of 12 pieces in spearmint and icy mint flavors.

HOW MUCH CAFFEINE?

The Jolt Gum packaging claims two pieces of gum equal the caffeine in one cup of coffee. The Jolt Gum website offers this handy caffeine breakdown:

For another caffeine comparison (and the reigning Caffeine Champ), check out my review of FOOSH™ Seriously Caffeinated Energy Mints.

WHAT ELSE IS IN IT?

All the ingredients (including 6 different sweeteners) are: Sugar, Gum Base, Corn Syrup, Corn Starch, Caffeine, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Glycerin, Resinous Glaze, Ginseng, Guarana (”a natural, safe, herbal stimulant native to Brazil”), Tapioca Dextrin, Acesulfame K, Aspartame, Colors (includes Yellow 5, Blue 1, Titanium Dioxide), Menthol, Carnauba Wax, Sucralose, BHT (to maintain freshness).

HOW MANY PER PACKAGE?

Twelve pieces of gum (or 6 cups of coffee) and 60 total calories (5 per serving) for $1.75.

HOW DO THEY TASTE?

I had Gabe, my champion barista buddy, chew these and he said they tasted OK. The website says: “Our spearmint caffeine-energy gum has a mild, natural mint flavor that perks you up and freshens your breath” and “Our icy gum is ‘in-your-face’ strong. Once you catch your breath, you’ll find it’s oooh so minty fresh and wow! So invigorating.”

CLAIMS TO FAME (per Jolt website):

Jolt chewing gum contains caffeine PLUS Guarana and Ginseng to give you maximum energy. Jolt Gum is as safe as coffee (and arguably even safer). The caffeine is exactly the same molecule as in coffee– you can just subtract the spilling.

The US Military has done studies on caffeinated gum and proven the effectiveness of caffeinated gum at keeping soldiers alert.

Most people agree the flavor in Jolt Gum lasts significantly longer than in average gum.

Everyone loves gum. (Except me. I actually hate gum.)

THE EBI OPINION:

6 cups of coffee for less than $2 is a grande of a deal. Jolt’s claim that everyone loves gum is probably true. (Me, librarians, folks with TMJ disorder and the people who run Singapore being the exceptions.) Whereas people might not take kindly to being offered a caffeinated beverage or pill from a stranger, gum is innocuous and ubiquitous enough to make you popular. So even if you don’t chew it, carry it around on campus. Gabe had some doubts about the caffeination allegations. He didn’t feel any “kick” above and beyond the quantity of coffee he’d already imbibed and while he was psyched for free gum, I suspect he’ll continue to take his caffeine from beans in the future.

TRY JOLT GUM FOR ONLY $1.75! CLICK HERE to enter our store.

MORE INFORMATION: Read all about Jolt Gum at their website.

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This entry was posted on Monday, November 19th, 2007 at 6:01 pm and is filed under Over-the-Counter. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.