Bad News for Coke's Vitaminwater If you're one of those who like Coke's Vitaminwater, be careful you don't drink these flavours - Rescue, Energy, B-relaxed, Vital-T, Balance & Power-C. Apparently, these flavours contain banned substances! You can read the whole story at Adage.com. Here's an extract from Natalie Zmuda's report dated 10 Feb 2009: Vitaminwater Runs Afoul of NCAA Banned-Substances Rule Major College-Sports Sponsor Has Six Flavors Players Shouldn't Drink NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Coca-Cola's Vitaminwater is a major marketing partner for the NCAA -- but its players shouldn't drink six of its varieties or they might test positive for banned substances. Coca-Cola is considered an NCAA "Corporate Champion," having signed an 11-year, $500 million deal in 2003. Revive is the only flavor that is directly affiliated with the NCAA, and it does not contained banned or impermissible substances. Another eight flavors are available on a by-request basis to players. The NCAA website states the six flavours that include impermissible substances do not have a direct association with the NCAA, and in situations where they are displayed alongside NCAA-themed promotions a visible disclaimer will be provided. The Rescue and Energy flavors are both banned because they contain caffeine or guarana-seed extract, according to the NCAA website. The other four beverages, B-relaxed, Vital-T, Balance and Power-C, include impermissible substances such as Taurine, L-theanine, green-tea extract and glucosamine. Other impermissible substances include various amino acids, protein powders and ginseng. An impermissible substance is not able to be provided by coaches or trainers to students, but players are able to purchase products with impermissible substances.