Have you ever found yourself in a mid-afternoon slump and reaching for a pick-me-up? Look no further, because 5-hour Energy is here to save the day! This little bottle of liquid gold is a popular energy drink in the United States, and with its small size, it seems like the perfect solution for a quick energy boost.
But hold on a second, is this product actually effective? And more importantly, is it safe? In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the ingredients in 5-hour Energy to answer those burning questions and give you the lowdown on whether or not we recommend it as your go-to energy solution.
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5-hour Energy Shot: A Closer Look at its Active Ingredients
If you’re in need of a quick energy boost, you may have come across 5-hour Energy Shot. Their Regular Strength energy shot is their most popular product, available in different flavors, but all with the same active ingredients. Let’s take a closer look at what’s inside.
First off, caffeine is the star of the show with a dose of 200 milligrams (mg), which is just right for improving mental focus and physical performance without causing anxiety in most people. That’s about the same amount of caffeine you’d find in two cups of coffee.
The energy shot also contains a megadose of Vitamin B12, providing over 20,000% of the Daily Value (DV). While it’s tough to overdose on this water-soluble vitamin, we don’t recommend randomly taking megadoses of any vitamin without a documented deficiency.
Next up is taurine, which is commonly found in energy drinks but doesn’t seem to have a significant impact on energy levels by itself. Plus, some research suggests it may be harmful to the brain development of adolescents.
Glucuronolactone is another ingredient in the proprietary blend, but there isn’t much medical research to back up its effectiveness. However, a clinical trial did show that an energy drink containing glucuronolactone, taurine, and caffeine improved driving ability in sleepy drivers. On the other hand, a separate clinical trial showed that these three ingredients combined could have adverse effects on blood pressure and insulin sensitivity.
As for the remaining ingredients – n-acetyl l-tyrosine, malic acid, and l-phenylalanine – there isn’t much evidence to support their use for improving energy levels.
One ingredient that does show promise is citicoline, which has been shown to have nootropic effects and improve memory in older adults with memory deficiencies. However, the dose used in the study was 500 mg/day, and the entire prop blend dose in 5-hour Energy is 1,870 mg, so it’s unlikely that the energy shot contains a high enough dose of citicoline to have the same effect.
Overall, the 5-hour Energy Shot is likely to increase energy in the short term, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a healthy product. Keep in mind that some of the ingredients may not be effective, and it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor before consuming any dietary supplement.
Concerns About the Ingredients in 5-hour Energy
If you’re someone who’s considering taking 5-hour Energy, there are a few things you should know about the ingredients in this product. While it does contain some natural and artificial flavors, we think it’s worth avoiding these ingredients as they’re not well regulated, and it’s unclear which specific chemicals are used to create the flavors. Animal studies have also shown that some artificial flavoring compounds can be toxic.
Another ingredient in 5-hour Energy is the artificial sweetener sucralose, which a clinical trial found can cause insulin dysregulation in young healthy adults. This study is concerning to us because the effects of sucralose on unhealthy adults (which is the majority of Americans) is likely to be even worse.
Additionally, 5-hour Energy contains three different preservatives: potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, and EDTA. A test tube study found that potassium sorbate was “clearly seen to be genotoxic” to human cells. Therefore, we recommend avoiding these preservatives out of an abundance of caution, especially since there are natural energy-promoting products like coffee that are free of preservatives.
Watch Out for 5-hour Energy Shots
5-hour Energy Shots is a popular energy drink that people use to get a quick boost of energy. However, back in 2012, the New York Times reported that there were 13 deaths linked to the use of this drink. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was investigating the issue, but we still haven’t heard back from them about the results.
Now, we’re not saying that 5-hour Energy is directly causing these deaths. However, this is still a warning sign that you should take seriously. If you have pre-existing health conditions like high blood pressure, you should definitely be careful. Even caffeine alone can cause increased blood pressure, so it’s better to avoid it if you’re at risk. But with 5-hour Energy Shots, the combination of various stimulatory ingredients could make the product even riskier than drinking the same amount of caffeine from coffee.
In short, be cautious with your caffeine intake, folks. If you’re looking for an energy boost, there are plenty of other ways to do it safely without putting your health at risk.
Is 5-hour Energy’s Extra Strength Shot Worth the Hype?
You may have heard about 5-hour Energy’s Extra Strength Energy Shot, which promises to pack a more powerful punch than its Regular Strength counterpart. But is it really worth the extra buzz?
According to the label, Extra Strength contains 30 mg more caffeine and 100 mg more of the Energy Blend (aside from caffeine) than Regular Strength. However, in our humble opinion, these differences are pretty negligible and are mostly for marketing purposes. While it’s true that more caffeine generally equals more energy, a mere 30 mg increase is unlikely to make a significant difference.
It’s also worth noting that all of the other ingredients in Extra Strength and Regular Strength are exactly the same. So, if you’re looking for a noticeable energy boost, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend shelling out the extra cash for Extra Strength. Stick with Regular Strength and save yourself a few bucks.
Pros and Cons
We’ve got some thoughts on the good and bad points of this popular energy drink:
Pros:
- It’s pretty cheap compared to other supplements out there.
- There are some effective ingredients that can give you a boost of energy when you need it.
Cons:
- If you’re not into artificial flavors, this drink might not be your thing.
- It’s got preservatives in it, which some people try to avoid.
- There’s a big ol’ dose of Vitamin B12 in there that some folks might not need or want.
- And in our opinion, the formulation overall is not exactly the healthiest thing you could be putting in your body.
So, there you have it – the good, the bad, and the not-so-pretty about 5-hour Energy.
Customer Reviews
5-Hour Energy seems to be a popular energy drink option for people who are always on the go. Based on reviews on Amazon, their Regular Energy shots have an impressive 5-star rating on average, which is a good sign. According to FakeSpot, an algorithm that detects fake reviews, the brand receives a B grade, indicating that 5-hour Energy did not falsify any reviews on their most popular product.
One satisfied customer named “kw” left a glowing review, stating that 5-Hour Energy is effective for them and more affordable than dietary supplements. As someone who doesn’t drink coffee, “kw” found that the energy shot helps them combat fatigue and brain fog. They even shared their unique routine, sipping half a bottle on less demanding days and a full bottle on rougher days.
On the other hand, a negative review from “DanAMA MCLE” complained about the taste of the Pomegranate flavor of the energy shots. According to them, it was so bad that they couldn’t wait to finish the product. Despite the unpleasant taste, they gave the product a 2 out of 5 rating because it still worked as expected.
In conclusion, based on Amazon reviews, it seems that 5-Hour Energy is a reliable energy drink brand. While some people may not like the taste of certain flavors, the product is still effective in providing an energy boost. However, it’s important to keep in mind that reviews may not always be 100% trustworthy, and it’s always a good idea to do additional research before making a purchase.
Final Verdict
While it’s true that it can give you a quick energy boost, we have concerns about its overall healthiness.
One of our biggest concerns is the combination of various stimulants used in the product. We’re particularly worried about the possible side effects when it comes to young people, like adolescents. That’s why we recommend being cautious when using 5-hour Energy and suggest considering other options.
So, what are the alternatives? Well, we think black coffee is an excellent and more affordable option for those looking to increase their energy levels. Not only does it give you that energy boost you’re looking for, but it also has been proven to enhance cognitive function in the short-term.
One last thing to keep in mind is to avoid consuming products that contain a blend of artificial sweeteners, flavorings, and preservatives. These can be harmful to your overall health and wellness.
In conclusion, 5-hour Energy can provide a quick fix when it comes to boosting your energy levels, but we suggest being cautious when using it. Instead, try drinking a cup of black coffee and reap the nootropic benefits that come with it!