<p>caffeine is being metabolized by the liver as soon as you ingest it. I don’t know where you got 45 minutes, but it depends not only on the amount of caffeine but also the concentration. Hence, if you drink on an empty stomach, you’re going to feel the kick real soon. I still don’t believe 5 hour energy is any safer than coffee. It’s not just caffeine we’re talking about.</p>
<p>I agree that these things shouldn’t be advertised to kids; they don’t know any better. I hope that one of these days, some of these drinks will get banned. only a matter of time before another kid bites the dust, sadly.</p>
<p>I got the 45 mins from a NY times article but can’t currently find it, so Wikipedia will have to do for now: “Caffeine from coffee or other beverages is absorbed by the small intestine within 45 minutes of ingestion and then distributed throughout all tissues of the body” [Caffeine</a> - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine]Caffeine”>Caffeine - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>My point is that 5 hr energy really isn’t that much different from coffee, it just is more concentrated and has extra B vitamins. One bottle has less caffeine than a cup of coffee, and costs $1-$2 more. So as for good or bad, save yourself some money and stick to coffee.</p>
<p>no thanks, I prefer sleep.</p>