As you already know if you’re a regular reader of the Personal Money Market blog, I spend much of my time writing about current events that can make a difference in your life. These stories may be directly related to politics, entertainment or other issues that affect consumers, but in all cases, we attempt to make the tie-in to money and your budget.

These are difficult times we’re living in, particularly with a recession on, so it makes sense to budget wisely and save money wherever possible. Using payday loans and cash advance can be a path to addressing short-term budget issues in the most economical way possible, so we give you the information you need to decide for yourself. In this case, however, I’m pleased to be able to try something just a little bit different.

I tried an efusjon EDGE energy drink… and I liked it

Before I continue, I should tell you that I’m generally not a fan of energy drinks. Particularly those like Red Bull that have cocaine in them. Does it take a doctor’s advice to convince you that something like that is bad for you? I’d sooner drink a cup of coffee if I needed a pick-me-up, and I do so on occasion. In particular, I like the kind loaded with chocolate (anti-oxidants!) that keeps me moving, like Sarah Palin running away from those probing questions.

efusjon EDGE has good stuff in it

According to the label (which I analyzed BEFORE cracking open the can), efusjon EDGE is made from “100 percent all-natural ingredients.” Sounds good, but I’ve heard that before. Here’s a rundown of the ingredients:

Calories: 80 (low calorie!)
No fat or sodium
Sugar 20g (remember, this is an energy drink)
Caffeine 60mg (again, energy drink!)
Vitamin A: 25 percent
Vitamin C: 250 percent
Vitamin E: 100 percent
Niacin: 50 percent
Vitamin B6: 125 percent
Vitamin B12: 125 percent
Riboflavin: 50 percent
Thiamin: 50 percent
Selenium: 100 percent

That’s makes up the bulk of the standard ingredients

Click Image to See More About Efusjon

What about “Other Ingredients?” Where do all of those good vitamins and nutrients come from? Well, once you get past the carbonated water and crystalline fructose, you’re looking at some berry good stuff: “organic clarified acai juice concentrate”; extracts of chokeberry, blueberry, elderberry, black currant and apple; and finally natural flavors and citric acid.

The acai berry is what jumps out at you when this pomegranate-colored beverage first hits your tongue. It’s very good for you. According to WebMD.com, acai berries contain anthocyanins and flavonoids, which are tough anti-oxidants that protect your cells against all kinds of bad stuff. They are believed to combat some of the effects of aging, which is something everyone can appreciate.

All in a little 8.4 ounce can

What about the taste? Well, I have to say that I wasn’t expecting much going in. I’ve tried acai berry yogurt, where you’re actually eating the berries, and that in my opinion is not the ideal way to experience this fruit of the Amazon rain forest. In a word, the yogurt was terrible!

In drink form, acai is generally mixed with other fruit extracts. With efusjon EDGE, the dominant berry I taste is blueberry, which I love, plus an undertone of apple. It’s tangy and tasty, and it’s good for me. Plus, there was no aftertaste. Where do I sign up for more efusjon EDGE?

It picked me up

I won’t say efusjon EDGE gave me wings, because that saying is taken by a company whose drinks have been pulled from the shelves in Germany and been labeled a narcotic (eh, Red Bull?) But the sugar and caffeine did perform as advertised. I felt a definite infusion of energy… but was there a sugar crash? Not that I noticed, and I believe the acai berry concentrate may have something to do with that. So what I got out of efusjon EDGE was instant energy and health benefits WITHOUT the edginess sugar and caffeine bring. I’d definitely like to have another one.

Where can you get this drink?

Check out efusjon.com for more info on the drink, the company and where you can get your hands on one. I would definitely recommend it, although I wish there was a little bit more in the can – it’s very good!