New Product Friday: Juvee Tropical Crush Rejuvenating Energy
New Product Friday: Juvee Tropical Crush Rejuvenating Energy
Energy beverages generally follow a similar formula. Caffeine is typically the core functional ingredient due to its extensive research behind its energy and cognitive benefits. Beyond this, many beverages also include other functional ingredients that support energy. While some of these ingredients are scientifically proven to support energy, others have less than ideal research behind them. Juvee recently came out with three flavors of energy beverages that contain functional ingredients that support energy, mood, focus, and immunity. For purposes of simplicity, let’s look at the ingredients in the Tropical Crush Rejuvenating Energy beverage to see how on target they are to their supposed claims.
Carbonated Water—Self explanatory
Taurine— Well studied for its cardiovascular benefits, taurine also helps balance and maintain hydration in the body and increase exercise performance.
Natural Flavor—This would include flavor chemicals from pineapple, oranges, or any other (tropical) fruit, vegetable, plant, or spice.
Malic Acid—Naturally found in apples, malic acid is commercially made from bacterial fermentation then chemically altered. Here it helps bring out the flavor and make the beverage tart.
Citric Acid—Naturally found in citrus fruits (especially lemons), citric acid is commercially made from mold fermentation. Once again, it helps bring out the flavor and make the beverage tart.
Sodium Citrate—An electrolyte and it make sure that the beverage is stable over its shelf life.
L-Theanine—Found naturally in teas, L-theanine supports calm and relaxation. When combined with caffeine, it can increase focus, attention, and memory.
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)—A powerful antioxidant known to help boost the immune system and provide other benefits throughout the body.
Caffeine--Synthetic caffeine is produced by chemical processes in a lab. It is not as impactful in the body as its natural counterpart. This beverage claims 127.5 milligrams of caffeine (approximately the amount of a strong cup of coffee)
L-Carnitine Tartrate— A common form of carnitine seen in sports nutrition products. Carnitine manages blood sugar and supports fat burning energy production during exercise.
Sucralose—A sweetener that is chemically altered from the sucrose (sugar) molecule. It is about 600 times sweeter than sugar. Studies have shown that consuming LARGE amounts (more than what is typically seen in the diet) of it can cause cancer in animals.
Vitamin B3—Involved in over 400 different processes in the body, Vitamin B3 is primarily known to help boost energy. Diets are typically rich in it, so supplementing is usually not necessary.
Inositol—A substance that the body produces naturally to create energy. There are no studies that show that supplementation increases energy. Inositol has been studied for managing diabetes and mood disorders.
Vitamin B5—Another type of B Vitamin that is critical to many different biological processes, including energy production. Most diets contain adequate amounts of it, so supplementing is not necessary.
Panax Ginseng Root Extract—Primarily studied for its cognitive benefits. Studies have shown that it helps increase memory, mood, mental alertness, and decrease mental fatigue. These studies show in effective dosage of 200-400 milligrams per serving.
Calcium Disodium EDTA—Added to make sure that the color and flavor of the beverage remains consistent throughout its shelf life. (Not adding this would probably cause the beverage to have a “metallic” taste from the can.) Although perfectly safe in typical standard diets, studies have shown that large amounts of it can cause digestive distress.
Vitamin B6— Another type of B Vitamin that is critical to many different biological processes, including energy production. Most diets contain adequate amounts of it, so supplementing is not necessary.
FD&C Yellow #6—A synthetic dye produced from petroleum. Studies have shown that large amounts (more than what is consumed in the typical diet) leads to increased inflammation in the body.
FD&C Red #40—Another synthetic dye produced from petroleum. This color has more controversy surrounding it than other FD&C colors. Studies have begun to show that children with food sensitivities are prone to develop ADHD when consuming this synthetic color. Other studies have shown that consumption of large amounts (more than what consumed in the typical diet) leads to allergies and migraines.
Vitamin B12—The “most famous” energy producing B Vitamin. Although most people are typically not deficient in it, vegans and vegetarians can be.
Final Evaluation
Ingredient Quality: C. This product has no claims and contains artificial colors, sweeteners, and preservatives.
Ingredient Clarity: B. All ingredients make sense to the product. However, it is slightly confusing that natural flavors are being used alongside artificial colors and sweeteners.
Functional Benefit: B+. Taurine (the first functional ingredient) has been well studied to support hydration and increase exercise performance. The combination of L-theanine and caffeine has been well studied to support focused energy and improved memory and cognitive performance. Although the amount of L-theanine is not known, it is listed above caffeine signaling the high possibility of it being in an effective and efficacious amount. The B Vitamins, inositol, and carnitine are ingredients that the body produces naturally or has enough in the diet to support energy production. If the body does not need these ingredients for energy, it will not absorb them. So, including them in the beverage may or may not be beneficial. The last functional ingredient, panax ginseng extract, has been well studied for increasing memory and cognitive function and stabilizing mood. However, studies have shown efficacious dosages for these benefits from between 200-400 milligrams per serving. Based on where this ingredient is located on the ingredient statement, there is no way that it is included in an efficacious amount.
Nutritional Value: A. At 5 calories and no added sugar, this is on par with most other traditional energy beverages.
Overall Score: B. All functional ingredients in this beverage are well studied to support fat-burning energy production. The combination of caffeine and L-theanine has been well studied to support increased memory, attention, and cognitive function. Since L-theanine is listed above caffeine on the ingredient statement, it is worthwhile to assume that this combination is at an effective amount. However, the ingredient statement is confusing. This beverage claims 127 milligrams of caffeine (equivalent to a very strong cup of coffee). However, caffeine is listed after the Vitamin C which means that the Vitamin C needs to be higher than 127 milligrams. The claim on Vitamin C is 67.5 milligrams. This means that the ingredient statement is not listing its ingredients properly. The other functional ingredients (except for panax ginseng extract) have been studied for energy support but lack an efficacious dosage since they are easily obtained through the diet (and the body does not need extra) or produced by the body. Although the panax ginseng extract has been well studied, it is not included at an efficacious dosage. The addition of a preservative and artificial colors and sweeteners does not make this product clean or natural. At $3/serving, it is reasonably priced, however. If the artificial ingredients are not of concern, then this product would be worthwhile to try.
Do you try to avoid artificial colors and sweeteners? If so, why?
This product was evaluated purely based upon the perspective of a food scientist. The writer’s opinions are purely her own without influence or affiliation with the brand.