The 5-Hour Energy drink has a good reputation when it comes to giving a quick boost for mentally demanding tasks and meeting deadlines around the corner.
The best thing about 5-Hour Energy is that it’s served in 1.93 fl. oz. shots. These shots contain caffeine, sucralose, taurine, glucuronic acid, B-vitamins, and other ingredients.
I get quite amazed at how such a small shot of 5-Hour Energy can contain these many ingredients!
Do you ever wonder what these ingredients actually do?
Let’s find out!
Page Contents
What sweetener is in 5-Hour Energy?
Sucralose is a sweetener in 5-Hour Energy. 5-hour ENERGY shots contain sucralose instead of sugar or HFCS, which is a safe artificial sweetener that adds zero calories and sugar to a product. Sucralose is a yellow artificial sweetener that some add to coffee.
The use of artificial sweeteners is often a contentious issue, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given its approval for their consumption, which indicates that they are safe, especially when used in moderation and consumed in small amounts.
Is 5-Hour Energy unhealthy?
5-Hour Energy is not unhealthy. However, though 5-Hour Energy is usually safe, overconsumption may lead to adverse effects. If taking more than two energy shots would put you over the daily maximum of 400 milligrams of caffeine, stick to just one.
Additionally, an excess of vitamins may have adverse effects. These energy shots have an exceptionally high vitamin content relative to their peers. An eventual vitamin overdose may occur if an excessive amount of vitamins are consumed, which can lead to a vitamin overdose.
5-Hour Energy Nutrition Facts
Have a look at the nutrition facts of 5-Hour Energy below:
| Standard Value | 5-Hour Shots (1.93 fl.oz) |
| Caffeine | 200mg |
| Protein | 0g |
| Fat | 0g |
| Carbohydrate | 0g |
| Sodium | 15mg |
| Potassium | 15mg |
| Choline | 2mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 30mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 50mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 500mcg |
| Calories | 4 calories |
5-Hour Energy Caffeine Content
5-Hour Energy has 200 mg of caffeine in a shot of 1.93 fl. oz.
It has quite a lot of caffeine, especially considering its small serving size.
For comparison, a 16 fl. oz. can of Bang energy drink has 300mg of caffeine, which is roughly 18.75mg of caffeine per fl. oz. Meanwhile, 5-Hour Energy has 200mg of caffeine in a 1.93fl. oz. shot — just a little shy of 2fl. oz. — which is pretty intense.
I prefer to keep my daily caffeine intake at around 200mg. This gives me the boost I need without experiencing a caffeine crash afterward. A shot containing 200mg of caffeine is perfect for me. So, it works pretty well when I need an energy boost around mid-day.
However, you should bear in mind that 200mg of caffeine in a shot is a lot. Your body needs to absorb it in a shorter period compared to regular-sized energy drinks. This may be something your body isn’t used to.
For reference, 400mg is the daily limit of caffeine intake by the FDA. If you consume any more than that you may experience some side effects including:
- irregular heartbeat
- nausea
- digestive Issues
- sleeplessness
- anxiety
- caffeine tction
These are things you won’t have to worry about if you drink 5-Hour Energy shots in moderation.
Ingredients In 5-Hour Energy
Here’s a list of Ingredients in 5-Hour Energy:
- Caffeine
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Sucralose
- Potassium Sorbate
- Sodium Benzoate
- Malic Acid
- Taurine
- Glucuronic Acid
- EDTA
- N-Actyel L-Tyrosine
- L-Phenylalanine
- Purified water
- Citicoline
Sugar Content In 5-Hour Energy
5-Hour Energy shot doesn’t contain any sugar. Instead, an artificial sweetener called sucralose is used as a substitute. Bearing that in mind, you don’t have to worry about any sugar crash at all.
The AHA recommends keeping our sugar intake below 36g for men and 25g for women. Or else, you might face complications from consuming too much sugar. These complications include:
- inflammation
- higher blood pressure
- type-2 diabetes
- weight gain
- fatty liver disease
Sucralose
5-Hour Energy drink uses sucralose as a substitute for sugar. It is a no-calorie sweetener, popularly known under the brand name Splenda. Sucralose is 600 times sweeter than sugar too.
It’s been approved by the FDA for general use in 1999.
However, its long-term effects are still unknown. I still think it’s best to limit sucralose intake, to be on the safe side.
Other Ingredients In 5-Hour Energy
Aside from the ingredients discussed above, 5-Hour Energy also has B-vitamins, taurine, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, and glucuronic acid.
Keep reading to find out more about these ingredients.
B-Vitamins
Each shot of 5-Hour Energy contains vitamins B3, B6, and B12.
B vitamins are essential for converting food into our energies. They also create new blood cells and maintain different types of cells. In addition, they are water-soluble and don’t get stored in our bodies. This is why we need to consume foods that are rich in B vitamins daily.
Here’s an easy-to-read table below with the amount of each B vitamin in 5-Hour Energy:
| Name Of Vitamins | Functions | Amount present in 5-Hour Energy (1.93 fl.oz) |
| Vitamin B3/Niacin | acting as an antioxidant to help the body function, converting nutrients into energy, and repairing DNA | 30mg |
| Vitamin B6/Pyridoxine | supporting the central nervous system | 40mg |
| Vitamin B12/Cobalamin | maintaining brain control by producing red blood cells | 500mcg |
Taurine
5-Hour Energy drinks contain around 479.9 g of taurine which s a common ingredient in energy drinks. It’s known to have many benefits.
Some of them are:
- liver protection
- added energy when exercising
- regulate electrolytes and minerals
- heart health improvement
According to this study, taurine has similar functions as caffeine in energy drinks. Caffeine and taurine both improve cognitive performance. Moreover, they reduce reaction times in the working memory tasks.
Interestingly enough, the two have opposing effects on our central nervous systems. Caffeine acts as a stimulant, while taurine acts as an agonist for GABA receptors.
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT)
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, tyrosine for short, is a dietary supplement that improves alertness, attention, and focus.
It is known for producing important brain chemicals that help nerve cells to communicate and may even regulate mood. It is “generally recognized as safe” by the FDA but it may cause side effects when used with certain medications.
However, the amount of tyrosine in 5-Hour Energy drink is unknown. So, its effectiveness is not certain.
Glucuronic Acid
As per the label of the shot, 5-Hour Energy has glucuronic acid from glucuronolactone. This acid is found in various sources such as xanthan gum and Kombucha tea. It helps to regulate metabolism within the body.
Glucuronic acid is responsible for the detoxification of toxic substances inside our bodies.
It binds itself to substances like hormones, drugs, and toxins. Furthermore, it facilitates and transports these substances around the body.
Thus, we can say that this ingredient can be beneficial in an energy drink.
Calories In 5-Hour Energy
5-Hour Energy drink only has 4 calories. That’s a small amount compared to other energy drinks. For reference, a 16 fl. oz. can of Monster has 210 calories, and an 8.4 fl. oz. can of Red Bull has 110 calories.
The recommended daily calorie intake for an average adult is as follows:
- 2000 calories for women
- 2500 calories for men.
A mere 4 calories of 5-Hour Energy wouldn’t add much to your daily calorie intake. I suggest this booster with a meal.
What Is In 5-Hour Energy That Gives You A Boost?
5-Hour Energy drink has a special blend that can give you a quick boost. This energy shot has great ingredients to help enhance your focus and alertness.
Let’s have a look at the ingredients of the special blend:
- Caffeine
- Tyrosine
- Phenylalanine
- Taurine
- Citicoline
- Malic Acid
- Glucuronolactone
Among these ingredients, people know caffeine for its ability to give an energy boost. Additionally, it’s a stimulant that increases your brain and nervous system activities.
Is 5-Hour Energy Approved By The FDA?
According to the FDA, dietary supplements don’t need to be approved. So, no. 5-Hour Energy drink shots are not approved by the FDA.
However, dietary supplements must comply with the provisions of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. This is regulated by the FDA. The FDA also takes action for dietary misbranded supplements that reach the market.
What has more caffeine coffee or 5-Hour Energy?
A typical cup of coffee contains more caffeine than a single serving of 5-Hour Energy. A standard cup of coffee, which is about 8 ounces, can contain anywhere from 95 to 200mg of caffeine.
On the other hand, a 5-Hour Energy shot usually contains around 200 milligrams of caffeine in a 2-fluid-ounce bottle.
How effective is 5-hour ENERGY?
The effectiveness of 5-Hour Energy can vary from person to person. 5-Hour Energy is marketed as a dietary supplement that provides a temporary energy boost, primarily through its caffeine content. It also contains other ingredients like B-vitamins, amino acids, and herbal extracts.
Many individuals report feeling increased alertness and a surge of energy after consuming 5-Hour Energy. However, it is important to note that individual responses can vary, and the effectiveness may depend on factors such as the person’s tolerance to caffeine, overall health, and sensitivity to the ingredients.
Can 5-Hour Energy Make You Crash?
5-Hour Energy drink has a high amount of caffeine, drinking it irresponsibly can cause caffeine crash.
Symptoms of caffeine crash include:
- extreme tiredness
- inability to concentrate
- irritability
- headache
You should limit yourself to one shot of 5-Hour Energy in a day to avoid caffeine crash.
You can watch this comprehensive video to see whether energy drinks are bad for you or not!
Alternatives To 5-Hour Energy
Here’s a list of other energy drinks that you can try:
- Red Bull
- Bang
- Rockstar
- Celsius
- NOS
- AMP
- Coca-Cola Energy
- Game Fuel
Key Takeaways
5-Hour Energy shots give enough energy to beat the afternoon slump and work for long hours. The blend containing caffeine, taurine, glucuronic acid, and other ingredients make it possible.
Caffeine seems to be the most important ingredient in this energy shot. Its benefits improve mental alertness, boost long-term memory, and increase metabolism rate.
However, 5-Hour Energy has 200 mg of caffeine in a tiny bottle, so the caffeine is highly concentrated. Caffeine gets delivered to the bloodstream quicker than other regular-sized energy drinks.
5-Hour Energy shots may be more suited to you if you have two to three cups of coffee every day. Just remember to limit it to one shot per day!