Now hear me out here...coca cola.

misanthropist

misanthropist

Joined
Jan 28, 2007
Messages
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Okay, I don't have time right now to do a long write up, but here is the gist of my position.

I keep some "bug out gear" in my truck and on my person, like most of you.

In my ditch gear/get home bag that stays in the truck I only really bother with enough to stay relatively comfortable for 24 hours and get me back to my house where the good stuff is all ready to go. In my regular school bag, which is usually close by as I have school most nights after work, I have some more more gear, just in case. At home, I have a big tactical nylon setup for a pile of ammo and 72 hours of staying alive in the event of zombies etc.

Now part of what I carry is water. I usually just buy 6-packs of Dasani from Wal-Mart rather than constantly rotate tap water through Nalgenes or Guyots or whatever. I am guessing that the factory sealed water bottles should last longer than tap water and I don't ever worry about them leaking.

Anyway, this rotation, I also chucked in a couple of 1-liter bottles of coke.

Now! Before you all freak out, here is my reasoning:

I haven't given up on water. The GHB has 1.5 liters, the book bag has another 1.5 liters, and the mall ninja rig has 3.5 liters plus filtering abilities. So I don't think I have to worry about the coke making me dehydrated.

But I am also carrying rocket fuel, in the form of caffeine and sugar. I figure that as long as I am not freezing or dehydrated, knocking back some coca-cola ought to give me a bit of an edge in the run-for-your-life, get-home-quick, dig-through-earthquake-rubble emergency I am preparing for.

If you look at the ultra-marathoners, a lot of them drink flat coke during the event. Obviously it's lousy for you as far as developing a super fit body, but in the short term? When you need all available energy to GO? That's what they're drinking.

So I now carry a liter of coke in my mall ninja bugout gear, and some in my book bag as well.

What do you think about that?
 
i don't really drink soda anymore (gave it up about 4 years ago now) but occassionally have a can or a glass, and that's about enough for me. i'm a big milk drinker now...

i think that if you are looking for an energy boost type of thing, take a look at the "gu" and other energy gel substances. they are like a solid shot of electrolytes and calories in a little packet...

in terms of psycologically coke will do more for you, but i'm inclined to think (no research or experience to back this up) that the power gels will give you more of an actual boost in the case of an emergency.
 
I think that if you leave it in your vehicle and it freezes you will have a sticky mess on your hands (in your bags). But I don't know where you are located, so that may not be a concern. I do have to worry about it here in the Mid South in the winter.

Codger
 
Really? those marathoners drink them during the events! Thats crazy!!!!!!
 
I thought maybe if you were going to die you wanted a coke before you go.lol. I haven't tried the flat coke thing.. I might have to give that a go tomorrow.
 
I have heard the diuretic thing is bunk, anyone have any info?
I think it's a good idea, I like pepsi myself but coke is close behind.
 
Codger_64 said:
I think that if you leave it in your vehicle and it freezes you will have a sticky mess on your hands (in your bags). But I don't know where you are located, so that may not be a concern. I do have to worry about it here in the Mid South in the winter.

Codger
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Unless it gets really really cold you shouldnt have a problem. I accidentally left a 1L coke still sealed in my freezer for about 12 hrs. If i remember correctly come freezers run about 0F and yeah it froze up solid but the bottle didn't burst.
 
Most of the time i carry REDBULL in the car just in case or some other type of energy drink if i get a good price on.. Coca Cola is good as a booster as well.. Another thing you can try is gatorage powder and add in there a crushed caffeine pill... Give you just as good of a boost. Just add to the water bottle..

Sasha
 
I must admit that I am prejudiced against Coke and for the following reasons:

(1) has a high sugar content (that's 50:50 glucose:fructose) - only your liver can process the fructose. If you want a high energy drink get one of theglucose drinks - your whole body is able to use glucose, not just your liver. Sugar will also increase your thirst

(2) Caffeine will increase short term alertness but will not give you stamina - I suggest ginseng if you want stamina. Caffeine is also a diuretic (makes you pee more) - this is not a myth - so is counterproductive when you're trying to stay hydrated

If you believe Coke or any of the Guaran drinks is 'rocket fuel' then go for it but the science says otherwise. IMO a high fat content (cocoa butter) chocolate bar is a better longterm energy source.
 
Codger_64 said:
I think that if you leave it in your vehicle and it freezes you will have a sticky mess on your hands (in your bags). But I don't know where you are located, so that may not be a concern. I do have to worry about it here in the Mid South in the winter.

Codger
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That is a good point...it doesn't freeze very often in this part of Canada and I think I could get away with it right here, but pretty much anywhere else it might be a problem.

I will leave some in the freezer for a while and see what happens. Good thinking.
 
antonio_luiz said:
I must admit that I am prejudiced against Coke and for the following reasons:

(1) has a high sugar content (that's 50:50 glucose:fructose) - only your liver can process the fructose. If you want a high energy drink get one of theglucose drinks - your whole body is able to use glucose, not just your liver. Sugar will also increase your thirst

(2) Caffeine will increase short term alertness but will not give you stamina - I suggest ginseng if you want stamina. Caffeine is also a diuretic (makes you pee more) - this is not a myth - so is counterproductive when you're trying to stay hydrated

If you believe Coke or any of the Guaran drinks is 'rocket fuel' then go for it but the science says otherwise. IMO a high fat content (cocoa butter) chocolate bar is a better longterm energy source.
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But it will take you much longer to metabolize the fat. Caffeine is a diuretic - but unless you are borderline on dehydration it won't matter. And I believe that your liver processes the fructose into glycogen, which is stored in your liver and is exactly what you need during high output activities. ALthough it will take time to process the relatively low glycemic index fructose, you will still need it to replenish glycogen stores and the instant-access glucose will make energy available fast.

So in fact I believe the science is on my side here!
 
DOC-CANADA said:
People also drink flat Coca Cola for an upset stomach - I don't know why :confused:.
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My parents used to send me out to buy a cup of Coca Cola syrup from the corner soda fountain when someone in the family had a case of Delhi Belly :)

Stitchawl
 
I like the idea of having some 'comfort foods' in emergency situations. If Coke is one for you, I think it's a great idea regardless of the science involved. The psychology of it more than outweighs the logic. And if we're feeling good, we're gonna think good! :thumbup:

Stitchawl
 
I'd actually be a little more concerned with what will happen to the soda after sitting for a summer in a hot car.

Regarding freezing, I once put a bottle of seltzer in my freezer so it would get cold faster, and forgot it. The next day I took it out and noticed that it wasn't totally frozen. I unscrewed the cap about 1/8th turn and the cap blew off in my hand (scaring the bejezus out of me). The seltzer sprayed out and what was left froze solid. I suspect that the freezing causes the CO2 to come out of solution and build up quite a pressure. It was kinda cool that the sudden expansion of the gas cooled it off and froze it, but it made quite a mess.

It seems to me that there must be some power-bar type thing that would give you sugar and caffeine, and be a little more stable.

Just a thought.
 
misanthropist said:
I will leave some in the freezer for a while and see what happens. Good thinking.
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There's about a 98% chance the bottle ruptures and you have to clean out the freezer. Happens with all softdrinks and forgotten beer that you're trying to chill quickly. You'd think I'd have learnt after the first couple of clean ups but I still do it.
 
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