Some Vitaminwater flavors contain banned substances

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.etownian.com/article.php?id=1551

NCAA bans five flavors of Vitamin Water from athletes
Ross M. Benincasa
Staff Writer

Thursday February 05 2009


Photo: Kalie M. Desimone
It looks like athletes at Etown will have to avoid this Vitamin Water fridge in the Jay’s the next time they go for a drink before the big game.

What do you think is on the National Collegiate Athletic Association banned substances list? Steroids? Check. Cocaine? Check. Marijuana? Check. VitaminWater? Umm—check?

That’s a decision currently in debate among the NCAA substances panel, which is looking into the possibility that certain VitaminWater flavors, produced by a NCAA partner, Coca-Cola, may create an unfair advantage during collegiate games.

The NCAA has approved most flavors to date, though some are still left unapproved, including Power-C, Energy, Rescue, Vital-T and Balance. Because the products have not been approved, any detection of them in an athlete before a game or match will result in loss of eligibility.

Is this policy taking it too far? Is the NCAA still looking out for the well-being of its athletes and the sport, or has it stepped on the toes of the athletes’ freedom by telling them what they can and cannot eat and drink? How much more “Power,” “Energy,” and “Balance” do you really feel after gulping down a bottle of VitaminWater? That’s the question that has been running through the minds of many critics of the NCAA’s new look at popular beverages, especially after they signed a new partnership to serve VitaminWater on the sidelines of most championship games back in October.

Although the sideline branding may come across as hypocritical, David Klossner, the NCAA liaison to the Competitive Safeguards Committee, recently stated, “VitaminWater Revive (fruit punch) will be the only VitaminWater flavor supporting NCAA championships. VitaminWater Revive does not contain any NCAA impermissible or banned substances.”

Also, this review of soft drinks really isn’t all that new, and, in fact, all the flavors in, question would have disqualified athletes in the past due to their ingredients. For example, VitaminWater’s Energy flavor has 134 mcg/ml of caffeine and guarana, versus the minuscule amount of 15 mcg/ml allowed by the NCAA.

So, are the critics right? The consensus around Etown says that they are not.In fact, most student-athletes side with the NCAA about this issue.

“I think it’s good that the NCAA is strict about what athletes can put into their bodies, but it seems a little strong that something like a sports drink can affect your eligibility,” senior softball player Lauren Hoover said. “Even though it seems pretty strict, I don’t think the NCAA should change their policies because it keeps everyone safe and the playing field even.”

The feeling crosses over to men’s sports as well, as sophomore swimmer and staff writer for the Etownian, Tom Hagerty agreess. “I’m not opposed to what the NCAA is doing. I feel like they are considering everything and keeping the level of competition without compromising fairness.”

At best, the NCAA is attempting to keep athletes fair with as little chance of outside enhancement as possible. At worst, they’re cutting into beverage freedom and stripping away a possible choice at the vending machine. Either way, how hard is it to take flavored water out of your diet? Save your Jay Bucks and go fill up a water bottle with water.

We can’t forget that although VitaminWater has always been marketed as a sports drink, it is certainly not the first beverage to be impacted by the banned substances list.

To keep the games fair, the NCAA does have to explore all avenues and possibilities. So athletes, start drinking water. It’s cheaper, healthier for you, and overall,better for the environment. Who could complain about that?

[rainbowgirl28]

http://media.www.browndailyherald.com/m ... 6813.shtml

Some Vitaminwater flavors contain banned substances
Mitra Anoushiravani

Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: Campus News
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The Department of Athletics sent an e-mail to all student-athletes and coaches Tuesday informing them that some flavors of Vitaminwater, the popular flavored-water label, contain substances that are banned or "impermissible" under NCAA guidelines.

Six of Vitaminwater's 15 varieties contain common stimulants or other psychoactive chemicals that could be problematic for both the University and the student-athletes, according to Drug Free Sport, an organization that conducts drug testing for NCAA schools.

A student who tests positive for a banned substance above a certain level, according to the NCAA, loses a year of eligibility. An "impermissible" substance is one that is not banned, but is against the rules for coaches or trainers to provide to students.

The flavors known as Power-C, Energy, B-relaxed, Rescue, Vital-T and Balance were all mentioned in Associate Athletic Director Robert Kenneally's e-mail to students, though only Energy and Rescue contain compounds that are banned - caffeine in both cases, and guarana seed extract for Energy. Caffeine is banned only above a level of 15 micrograms per milliliter, according to the NCAA, a mark that can be avoided with most moderate diets.

Five flavors contain some amount of impermissible substances, and so cannot be provided to students. Power-C, B-relaxed and Rescue contain the psychoactive compounds taurine - found in Red Bull - L-theanine and ECGC, the active ingredient in green tea extract.

Balance contains traces of glucosamine - sometimes used to rebuild cartilage or heal joints - and Vital-T has chemicals found in rooibos tea extract.

Some athletic coaches have told their teams not to drink the banned flavors of Vitaminwater. But Sarah Fraser, assistant athletic director for compliance, said it was "more the responsibility of the individual student-athlete to know what they're putting into their body."

"You really have to read the ingredients on what you eat and drink as a student-athlete," she said.

Andrew Bakowski '11, a member of the baseball team, said he understood the rules. "We all know it's our own responsibility that anything we're taking is cleared and is allowed by the NCAA," he said, "and we know that we do get tested."

He added that two years ago some members of the team were tested for banned substances at a regional tournament.

However, for student-athletes that do not anticipate making it to an NCAA-sponsored event or who are not on Division I teams, the pressure to avoid banned substances is not as great. Jamison Kinnane '12, a member of the women's crew team, said she did not think the banned substances in two of the Vitaminwater flavors would affect her.

"I don't think they usually test you - there is just the threat of being tested," she said. Only the top eight girls on the team make it to an NCAA regatta, she said.

Max McFadden '11, a former member of the wrestling team, said he thought there were "a lot of banned substances being used and consumed at Brown."

Testing occurs "on such an infrequent basis that NCAA rules never really applied to the wrestlers," he said.

Vitaminwater is a subsidiary of Coca Cola Co., a major NCAA sponsor, which maintains "a sideline presence at NCAA championships," Kenneally wrote in his e-mail.

Lindsey Raivich, a Vitaminwater spokeswoman, confirmed in an e-mail to the Herald that two Vitaminwater flavors contained caffeine, and added that "we respect the NCAA's rule to not offer these varieties to its student-athletes." The NCAA has approved nine flavors of Vitaminwater for student-athlete consumption, she continued.

A representative from the NCAA could not be reached for comment after multiple phone calls to the organization's headquarters.

[rainbowgirl28]

[vaulter870]

thank you for the picture! makes more sense the reading the print. i was worried there for a minuete and then realized that the ones i tend to drink are all legal