Stick packs have become increasingly popular as more consumers demand on-the-go, convenient products. The one downside about them is that rely on the consumer’s own container and water. Vivastix is solving this drawback by creating a product (Mixed Berry Clean Energy) that can either be a beverage or consumed on its own, like a pixie stick. Let’s take a look at the ingredients to see if this product delivers:
Allulose—70% as sweet as sugar, allulose is found naturally in wheat, figs, molasses, and raisins. Preliminary research has shown that it might lower blood sugar and increase weight (fat) loss. Although it is generally regarded as safe (GRAS) in the US, it is not approved for use in Europe yet.
Erythritol—Like allulose, erythritol is 70% as sweet as sugar and found naturally in some fruits and vegetables. Commercially, it is derived from corn and does not raise blood sugar. In large amounts—for some people—erythritol causes digestive issues.
Natural Flavors—Flavor chemicals that are found in nature (fruit, vegetables, plants, and spices) are combined together to create a natural mixed berry flavor. The flavor chemicals are probably mainly from berries but can be from other natural sources as well.
Natural Colors—Since this is a pink/red product, the color from red fruits and vegetables (usually beet root) are extracted and concentrated to create naturally derived colors. Although sourced from fruits and vegetables, natural colors have no nutritional value.
Stevia Leaf Extract— Sweet molecules 200-400 times sweeter than sugar are extracted from the leaves of the stevia plant. At high levels, stevia can leave a bitter, metallic taste when consumed.
Silicon Dioxide—Also known as silica, silicon dioxide is found throughout the body. Studies have shown that it improves joint, heart, skin, and nail health. Here it is being used as a flow agent to prevent the product from clumping.
Niacin—Also known as Vitamin B3, niacin (like all B Vitamins) helps turn food into energy and is essential to over 400 different chemical processes in the body.
Vitamin B6—Also known as pyridoxine, Vitamin B6 helps convert food into energy and supports immune and brain health.
Folate— Also known as folic acid, this B Vitamin is essential to ensuring a healthy and successful pregnancy.
Vitamin B12— Also known as cyanocobalamin, Vitamin B12 (like all B Vitamins) helps convert food into energy. Vegans and vegetarians tend to be deficient in this vitamin.
Taurine— Most known for its cardiovascular benefits, taurine is also known to help balance electrolytes in the body and increase energy production.
Glucuronic Acid— Although a common ingredient in energy drinks, there is very little research that shows that glucuronic acid actually aids in energy production. It is best known to remove harmful chemicals and substances from the body.
Malic Acid— Found naturally in apples, malic acid is part of a bodily process that creates energy. No scientific studies have found that supplementation supports energy, however. It is usually added to enhance fruit (berry) flavors.
L-Phenylalanine— An essential amino acid, the body uses this amino acid to produce tyrosine. Tyrosine helps regulate mood and increases the production of dopamine (the happy chemical).
N-Acetyl-L-tyrosine— Like phenylalanine, the body uses this chemical to produce tyrosine. Tyrosine helps regulate mood and increases the production of dopamine (the happy chemical).
Caffeine—Caffeine can be either synthetic or natural. Natural caffeine tends to be more potent, but either form has been well studied and documented to provide a quick boost of energy. Since the source of the caffeine is not specified, this is probably synthetic caffeine.
Final Evaluation
Ingredient Quality: B+. The only “suspicious” ingredient is erythritol. Although many studies have proven it safe, erythritol has been under watch recently due to a study that came out showing that it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Ingredient Clarity: B. The only ingredient that does not make sense to the product is glucuronic acid. Although it is commonly found in other (unnatural) energy drinks, there are no studies that support its ability to increase focus and energy. Glucuronic acid is only used to detoxify the body.
Functional Benefit: B. Although all B Vitamins are used to convert food into energy, studies have shown that most people are able to get the necessary amount of B Vitamins through the diet. Any extraneous B Vitamins that are consumed beyond the recommended daily intake are literally urinated out of the body, without being used. In this case, the B Vitamins are anywhere between 104%-12000% the recommended daily value so, more than likely, it would not be used by the body. Glucuronic acid is a common ingredient in many energy drinks, but actually does not increase focus or energy. Its inclusion is irrelevant in this case. L-phenylalanine and N-Acetyl-L-tyrosine play the same function—producing tyrosine. Tyrosine increases the production of dopamine (the happy chemical) and increases focus and cognitive performance in stressful situations. Including both N-acetyl-L-tyrosine and L-phenylalanine are better than tyrosine itself, as studies have shown that the body uses these two forms more effectively. Taurine is well studied to balance electrolytes and provide energy, however, its inclusion towards the end of this blend suggests that it might not be at an effective dosage. Although malic acid is part of the body’s cycle to produce ATP (i.e. energy), there is no evidence suggesting that supplementation of malic acid increases energy. It is more than likely added to help bring out the mixed berry flavors and increase the amount of the energy blend. Finally, caffeine is well known to increase focus, attention, and energy. At 50 milligrams (equivalent to half a cup of coffee), this is enough to be able to increase focus and attention while not providing any jitteriness.
Nutritional Value: Unknown. This product does not list any calories, carbohydrates, or fats; which is not only deceptive, but illegal.
Overall Score: B-. The “Energy Blend” includes all of the energy providing functional ingredients (plus malic acid). As mentioned in other posts, blends are often deceptive because it hides the amounts of each individual ingredient which makes it difficult to know if the ingredients are included at efficacious amounts. The first ingredient in the blend is taurine, which is most studied for cardiovascular health, balancing electrolytes, and supporting energy production. Studies have shown that 1-3 grams is the most effective for energy production and stamina. Since the total amount of all ingredients in the blend is 1.08 grams, the chances that taurine is included at an efficacious dosage is slim. The next ingredient in the blend is glucuronic acid, which has not been studied for energy production or increased focus. Malic acid is the next ingredient, which, although it contributes to energy production in the body, there have been no studies that show that taking it as a supplement leads to any increase in energy or focus. The only beneficial functional ingredients are phenylalanine, N-acetyl-L-tyrosine, and caffeine which all have studied benefits increasing focus, attention, and/or energy. Efficacious dosages for tyrosine are between 500-2000 milligrams. In this case, it’s hard to know whether these two ingredients would be able to provide an efficacious dosage. On the positive side, this product does not contain any added sugar. Additionally, it is packaged in a recyclable tube and has the flexibility to be consumed as either a beverage or a pixie stick, which differentiates the product from other beverage stick packs on the market. Currently priced at $0.70 per serving, this might be worth trying since the price is low compared to other energy stick packs and it has three functional ingredients with proven benefits.
Would you try this product?
This product was evaluated purely based upon the perspective of a food scientist. It has not been consumed. The writer’s opinions are purely her own without influence or affiliation with the brand.