FRS Healthy Energy Chews, Pomegranate Blueberry, 5.27 Ounces Bag

I subscribe to the Nutrition Action Healthletter published by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Page 8 of the December issue has an article titled "Manipulating Mitochondria."

This article states that the Department of Defense (DoD) (the agency being DARPA) sponsored research into the ability of quercetin to increase mitrochondria. DOD wanted to know if quercetin would reduce the number of colds and other viral infections of young men under intense physical stress (1000 MG per day which would be 8 of these chews). To quote from the article "In all these studies researchers used a high-purity quercetin called QU995. That's the kind that's also in FRS energy mixes drinks and chews." I subtracted 1 star for all the other sugar related ingredients. Too early to tell if I will catch less colds, but willing to try to boost my mitrochondria in any case.

Updated (7/20/09): There is one other manufacturer that makes similar energy chews. Both contain 30 chews and the prices are comparable. The difference is the other brand has twice as much QU995 Quercetin in each chew (250 MG versus 125 in each FRS chew). So based on this, FRS is overpriced for what you get.

I probably wouldn't have minded if the taste were anything to write home about, but HEALTHY ENERGY? They same full of sweeteners like corn syrup and artificial chemicals. They may have some nutrient value, but the fact of the matter is that these don't provide much more health or "healthy energy" than a candy bar with one natural ingredient (say, peanuts) might. The greening of America and its inherent partners like the trend towards healthier eating are positive developments, I believe. But the repackaging of junk under the banner of nutritious eating is a crime, or should be at any rate!

My suggestion? Buy real fruit. Or don't delude yourself and just get a Snickers bar. But avoid patent dishonesty such as this.

Watch out, because these chews can be addictive. I ate about half the bag in one sitting, which I'm pretty sure is not the way they were intended to be consumed! The taste is very different--I'm not too familiar with the taste of pomegranate, and when berry is thrown in, it's a strange mixture that takes a while to get used to.

I can't really say that I got much of an energy boost out of them, but then again I'm pretty hopped up on caffeine most of the day anyway. You should be aware that they will turn your mouth red! So don't eat a bunch before an interview or anything.

I have tried all of the FRS products and will agree with most reviewers that the chews have a unique texture and they do not taste "great"...not bad though. The following are the benefits I have noticed over the past 18 months. The primary benefit I receive during excercise is better energy and I have no muscle soreness after running or lifting weights. At work I will take a serving after lunch and I have zero late afternoon lulls. I am intrigued by the research pertaining to the ingredient quercetin. While studies are early there are numerous reported health benefits to quercetin. I am happy with this product and will continue using FRS.

It's 40 calories for 2 pieces (chews they're called) and the 2-piece serving has 6g of sugar and is loaded with all the vitamins that I'm sure are listed up above in the product description. The ingredients are not too bad. Palm oil is the 4th ingredient, which I think is better than "palm kernel oil" which is a lot better than (and would be a deal-breaker for me) anything that says "partially hydrogenated." The package says to eat 2 chews whenever you need extra energy or a pre-workout boost. I'm high energy already and didn't notice any extra energy. I view these as a low-calorie little treat that is packed wtih vitamins. I will buy these after I'm done with my Vine package.