Fireman burnt by Red Bull.

A few years ago, a firefighter downed four cans of Red Bull in one day while fighting a blaze and promptly went into diabetic shock. Since then, the U.S. Forest Service has been a little on edge over their firefighters use of energy drinks. From the Los Angeles Times:

Even though firefighters expend a tremendous amount of energy, officials said high levels of caffeine in many energy drinks can be dangerous.

"It's been a concern," said Nathan Judy of the U.S. Forest Service. "When they drink those things, it dehydrates them."

The solution they've come up with is earth-shatteringly revolutionary.

"Drink water, drink water, drink water," Judy said. He also said that the meals served to firefighters each day are high in calories because firefighters are "going through calories like crazy on the line."

Breakfast this morning at the Hansen Dam fire camp included scrambled eggs with cheese, sausage, hash browns and grits. Judy said lunches are hearty, sometimes consisting of two sandwiches, and that dinners often include lots of pasta, chicken and other meat.

Wow!!!!! Water for hydration and healthy food for energy! Who would have thought of that!?!

It just drives me nuts that our country continues to look at sugary drinks as viable food sources. For example, it's stupefying, the number of fast food chains that sell Powerade in massive, 44-ounce tubs. There's not an athlete on earth who needs 44 ounces of any sports drink at once, let alone a fast food customer! In the same way schools now replace sodas in their vending machines with "healthy options" like Gatorade, the Great Unwashed go into White Castle choosing Powerade as a fitness-oriented alternative to Coke.

IT'S ALL SUGAR WATER!

And now Firefighters -- possibly some of the noblest human beings on this planet -- have been duped into thinking they can survive on Red Bull.

Baah! This stresses me out. I need another cup of coffee.

Photo Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times