There are many scientifically studied benefits of caffeine like increasing focus, attention, energy, muscle strength, metabolism, and improving mood. People’s ability to get the full range of these benefits is entirely dependent on how they metabolize (break down) caffeine. The majority of people metabolize caffeine slowly; which means that they get fewer benefits and more negative side effects. The remaining population either metabolizes caffeine quickly (getting a “quick fix” and then wearing off) or has a normal rate of absorption (optimal). With these facts in mind, Update developed an energy drink that exploits the benefits of caffeine, but without being dependent on a person’s unique ability to metabolize caffeine. Available in four different flavors (Berry, Lime, Mandarin, and Peach), Update uses paraxanthine as well as other functional ingredients to mimic the many benefits of caffeine. For purposes of simplicity, the Berry flavor will be examined here.
Carbonated Filtered Water—Self Explanatory
Allulose—A naturally occurring sugar found in small amounts in figs, raisins, maple syrup, and molasses. It is a relatively new sweetener in the United States and has yet to be approved in Canada or Europe.
Natural Flavors—To create the berry flavor of this beverages, natural flavor chemicals from various berries as well as other plant, spice, fruit, and vegetable sources are combined together to create a natural flavor that is customized to this beverage.
N-Acetyltyrosine—The more soluble (and possibly more bioavailable) form of tyrosine. N-acetyltyrosine (tyrosine) has been studied to increase cognitive function and energy.
Taurine— An amino acid that has been thoroughly studied for cardiovascular health. It has also been studied to improve exercise endurance and cognitive function.
Malic Acid—Naturally present in apples, malic acid is commercially produced via chemical reaction. It is added to help accentuate the berry flavor.
Citric Acid—Naturally present in citrus fruits, citric acid makes these fruits taste sour. Commercially, it is made via fermentation of mold. It is added to help accentuate the berry flavor.
Alpha-glycerophosphocholine (GPC)—The body uses alpha-GPC to produce choline. Choline is known to improve brain health and increase memory, attention, and muscle function.
Paraxanthine (enfinity®)—Caffeine is metabolized into three molecules, one of which is paraxanthine. This molecule is credited with most of caffeine’s memory increasing, energy producing benefits.
Stevia (Reb A)—There are many different sweet molecules present in the stevia leaf and Reb A is the most common. It is about 300x sweeter than sugar.
L-Theanine—Reduces stress and anxiety and increases a sense of calm in the brain. L-theanine has also been studied to improves attention and cognitive function.
5-HTP—Naturally produced by the body, 5-HTP is a precursor to serotonin (the happy chemical). It has been studied for improving sleep health, regulating satiety cues (i.e. assisting in weight loss), and improving mood.
Stevia (Reb M)—There are many different sweet molecules present in the stevia leaf. Reb M is found in very small amounts, but has a cleaner (less bitter and metallic) taste than its Reb A counterpart.
Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)—The B Vitamin most associated with increasing energy and other metabolic (i.e. energy producing) reactions in the body. There are two different types of this vitamin—synthetic (cyanocobalamin) and natural (methylcobalamin). The natural form is better able to be absorbed by the body.
Final Evaluation
Ingredient Quality: B+. Although the product is naturally flavored and sweetened, it does not have any claims (non-GMO, vegan, etc.) except for being gluten-free (but not certified).
Ingredient Clarity: A. All ingredients are functional or contribute to the flavor of the product. It is interesting that the product calls out Reb-A stevia and Reb-M stevia separately. Typically, most companies will combine both stevia types together and label it as “Stevia Leaf Extract”. The fact that this company is calling them out separately shows transparency in their ingredient statement.
Functional Benefit: A. This product is formulated with functional ingredients that have clear scientific studies behind them. In fact, the company has produced a White Paper detailing the functional ingredients and the studies and claims behind them. All functional ingredients are nootropics, which improve cognitive function, energy, and/or mood. N-acetyltyrosine is added as a more soluble form of tyrosine. Tyrosine has been studied to prevent cognitive decline, especially during stressful situations. Like tyrosine, taurine has been studied to increase energy and cognitive function, especially under stressful conditions. Alpha GPC has been well studied to increase memory and attention. Paraxanthine is added to provide most of the benefits of caffeine (increasing energy and attention/focus), while not having any addictive or toxic qualities. L-theanine has been well studied to improve mood and attention and focus. 5-HTP is added to boost serotonin (happy chemical) levels in the brain and, once again, improve mood. Finally, Vitamin B12 is added to help convert food into energy and support brain health and function. The only downside of these functional ingredients is that their amounts are not known (except for paraxanthine). So, although the website and white paper state that the functional ingredients are added in scientifically studied amounts, there is no way to prove it. However, based on the placement of these ingredients on the ingredient statement, it is likely that these functional ingredients are included in beneficial amounts.
Nutritional Value: A. At 20 calories and no added sugar (and no artificial sweeteners), this is a low-calorie natural alternative to the traditional energy beverage.
Overall Score: A. Most natural energy drinks contain various forms of caffeine. This one, however, is unique and chooses to include ingredients that stimulate the benefits of caffeine (improved energy, mood, and cognitive function), but without actual caffeine. The star ingredient is paraxanthine, a molecule that is produced when caffeine is metabolized (broken down). Paraxanthine makes up close to 80% of the breakdown molecules of caffeine and has been studied to produce many of caffeine’s major benefits. The difference between this molecule and caffeine is that it does not have the same toxicity and addictive qualities as caffeine. The other functional ingredients support paraxanthine by being clinically studied for improving mood, cognitive function, and/or energy. Although the company does not disclose the amounts of the functional ingredients, based on their placement on the ingredient statement, they are probably included in beneficial amounts. This product only contains 20 calories which is lower or on point with other naturally flavored and sweetened energy beverages. At $3.83/can, this is on the higher side, especially compared to other natural energy beverages. What is interesting to note is that the company addresses this high price with the justification that the beverage contains functional ingredients that are included at beneficial amounts, which drives up the cost. So, it raises a question: is a higher price worth a beverage that actually does what it claims?
What do you think of non-caffeinated energy drinks? Would you buy one?