What is the connotative effect of the word lifesavers in paragraph 3?

3.while these tiny lifesavers have proven to be effective, they are quite expensive. on average the cost is $50.00 per pill. however, many parents of young athletes say that it is a small price to pay for the piece of mind it gives them on a hot, sultry day.

a) it suggests that the author has a positive opinion of the pills and believe they can protect athletes' lives.

b) it shows that the author is being sponsored by the company who makes the pills and is not expressing her true opinion.

c) it shows that the author has a negative opinion of the pills and believes they are too expensive to be of any real use.

d) it suggests that the author is being ironic or sarcastic about the pills and truly believes that the pills are useless.