Lifeguard: Bionic Energy Drink from Cheerio Japan
When it comes to classic Japanese energy drinks, my most favorite as a kid was neither Suntory Dekavita C nor Otsuka Oronamin C but this “Lifeguard (ライフガード)” from Cheerio Japan.
Lifeguard Drink from Cheerio
The “超生命体飲料” or bionic beverage Lifeguard was debuted in 1986 and has since been a favorite drink of the youth.
This was the case among friends of mine, and we used to play survival games in the wood with the camouflaged drinks.
Features
Cheerio Lifeguard is a carbonated bionic energy drink with a slight fizz.
What makes it different from Oronamin C and Dekavita C is the refreshing mixed fruit flavor that is favored by children and the rich nutritional value made up of 7 vitamins, 7 amino acids, honey, and royal jelly.
As with Oronamin C and Dekavita C energy drinks, the 500ml-bottled Lifeguard drink is available at convenience stores, priced at 150 yen (about 1.3 USD) or so.
Ingredients and Nutrition Facts
Based on the label on the side of the green PET bottle, the primary nutritional values of the Cheerio Lifeguard drink are as follows.
For your information, the table includes the comparison with Oronamin C and Dekavita C energy drinks.
| Lifeguard (100 ml) | Dekavita C (100 ml) | Oronamin C (120 ml) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 36 kcal | 54 kcal | 79 kcal |
| Protein | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
| Fat | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 9 g | 13.5 g | 19 g |
| Salt equivalents | 0.06 g | 0.01 g | 0 g |
| Vitamin A | 90 ㎍ | ||
| Vitamin B1 | 0.67 mg | ||
| Vitamin B2 | 0.7 mg | 0.76 mg | 2.4 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.6 mg | 1.0 mg | 4.9 mg |
| Vitamin C | 29 mg | 95 mg | 220 mg |
| Niacin | 2 mg | 8.6 mg | 12 mg |
| Vitamin P | 1.2 mg | ||
| Caffeine | 8 mg | 5 mg | 18 mg |
| Pantothenic Acid | 0.5-1 mg | ||
| Folic Acid | 15 ㎍ | ||
| Monosodium Glutamate | 2 mg | ||
| Glycine | 1.7 mg | ||
| Sodium Aspartate | 1.6 mg | ||
| Alanine | 1.3 mg | ||
| Isoleucine | 1.2 mg | ||
| Phenylalanine | 1 mg | ||
| Threonine | 0.6 mg |
