Starbucks has officially released a whole new range of energy drinks in the United States, marking the company’s first foray into the energy drink sector.
Jerry Baldwin, Gordon Bowker, and Zev Siegl founded Starbucks, which opened its first location in 1971 near Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market.
Today, it is one of the most well-known coffee brands in the world, with stores that are easily accessible from anywhere.
It launched the Starbucks Baya Energy drink line in three fruit flavors: Mango Guava, Raspberry Lime, and Pineapple Passionfruit.
They come in 12-ounce cans with 160 milligrams of caffeine. In comparison, a typical cup of coffee has around 100 milligrams of caffeine.
According to Starbucks, these drinks are marketed as a “refreshing, fruit-flavored jolt of feel-good energy, in a way only Starbucks can offer”.
Keep reading to learn more about the Baya Drink, its ingredients, flavors, and its effect on human health.
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Ingredients of Baya Energy Drink
Starbucks Baya Energy Drink contains caffeine, which is present naturally in coffee fruit, and “antioxidant vitamin C for immune support and a burst of feel-good energy.” Except for the sort of fruit juice used in each taste, the components are nearly identical.
- Carbonated Water
- White Grape Juice from Concentrate
- Cane Sugar
- Lemon Juice from Concentrate
- Natural Flavours
- Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
- Caffeine from Coffee Fruit
- Green Coffee Bean Extract
- Lycopene (Color)
White Grape Juice
Grapes are high in antioxidants like resveratrol and flavonoids, which are good for your health. The skin, stem, leaf, and seeds of grapes contain the most antioxidants, rather than the pulp.
White Grape Juice Concentrate, on the other hand, is a pure juice concentrate manufactured from 100 percent pure fruit juice, not an extract.
This is an excellent addition to beer, wine, mead, spirits, hard cider, jellies, meat, and other goods, or to make an all-natural energy drink.
It contains most of the vitamins and minerals found in table grapes and the health benefits provided by nutrient-dense seeds.
Grape juice consumption has a plethora of potential health benefits. Grapes have been shown in studies to help prevent cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, and constipation, as well as:
- High in Vitamin C
- Prevents Diseases
- Protection of Skin
- Anti-inflammatory Properties
- Prevents Indigestion
- Boosts Brainpower
- Prevents Eye Degeneration
Cane Sugar
Cane sugar is a type of sugar made entirely from sugar cane rather than sugar beets or a combination of the two.
Unrefined, raw, and refined cane sugar are only some options.
Sucrose is a type of cane sugar that is commonly used as a sweetener in energy drinks. Dieting has created a slew of artificial sweeteners. Even though they have no calories, there are certain disadvantages to eating them.
Since it provides energy, cane sugar is used in energy drinks. The simple sugar “glucose,” produced by the breakdown of carbohydrates, is your body’s principal energy source.
However, your body processes cane sugar in the same way it does any other type of sugar. Both fructose and glucose are divided into two simple sugars. After that, the glucose molecules are transported to the cells and transformed into energy.
Sugar is commonly linked to a variety of health problems. However, when consumed in moderation, cane sugar has several health benefits too including:
- Antioxidant Properties
- Helping in Immune System Functioning
- Preventing Diabetes, Malaria, and Skin Cancer
Green Coffee Bean Extract
Green coffee beans, also known as raw coffee beans, are not roasted.
They are high in a class of antioxidants known as chlorogenic acids, which are thought to provide various health benefits.
It is utilized in energy drinks because it includes various bioactive components, such as caffeine and chlorogenic acids, which may explain its health benefits.
Their extract is well-known as a dietary supplement, but green coffee, like roasted coffee, can also be purchased whole-bean and used to make a hot beverage.
It is used for:
- Weight Loss
- Lowering Blood Pressure
- Anti-Inflammatory Effect
- Reduces Risk of Chronic Diseases
- Improve Bone Health
Caffeine Content of Baya Energy Drink
A 12-ounce can of Baya Energy has 160 mg of caffeine.
Since Baya’s caffeine is derived from coffee fruit, it may join Zoa and other similar products in luring customers who want a jolt of energy while also feeling good.
The difference between caffeine and caffeine obtained from coffee fruit is that coffee fruit has less caffeine than coffee beans, making it the better choice.
According to the FDA, a person should consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine each day. Even though Baya’s caffeine level is below the limit, drinking it frequently during the day can result in a caffeine overdose, which can cause:
Nutrition Content of Baya Energy Drink
Even though Starbucks Baya Energy beverages only have 90 calories, sugar accounts for virtually all of them.
Five of those grams come from the fruit juice itself, but the rest 17 are from added sugar, namely cane sugar.
Furthermore, the nutrition facts label claims that this drink contains 100% of the daily required vitamin C intake.
| Baya Energy Drink (1 Can) | Nutrition Content |
| Calories | 90 |
| Total Fat | 0 |
| Sodium | 10mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 23g |
| Total Sugar | 23g |
| Added Sugar | 17g |
| Protein | 0 |
| Calcium | 4mg |
| Potassium | 17mg |
| Vitamin C | 90mg |
Calories
Baya Energy contains 90 calories, which is higher than most other energy drinks. Still, it is the perfect amount to keep you going throughout the day because your body requires calories to function.
However, consuming too many calories and not burning them off quickly through movement can lead to weight gain.
In contrast, not enough calories alone can put you at risk for health problems due to a lack of energy that keeps us going throughout the day.
According to NHS:
| | Male | Female |
| Calories Intake (Dailly) | 2,500 cal per day | 2,000 cal per day |
Calories are essential for your health because they allow your body to break down food molecules and use the stored energy for a range of tasks like movement, cognition, and growth.
Vitamins
Baya Energy is devoid of B vitamins, which are commonly contained in energy drinks, but it is effective at enhancing our energy metabolism.
All bodily tissues require vitamin C, commonly known as ascorbic acid, for growth, development, and repair.
Baya Energy Drink solely includes Vitamin C, which is high in antioxidants and aids in the healing of body tissues by your immune system.
The many antioxidants present in Vitamin C can preserve the energy drink from damage caused by dangerous molecules known as free radicals, ensuring that it remains safe for us.
The benefits of Vitamin C are:
Sugar Content in Baya Energy Drink
Baya contains 23 grams of sugar, of which 17 grams are added sugar, and the remaining 5 grams are sugar from fruit juice.
Since it contains sucralose, a popular calorie-free artificial sweetener, cane sugar makes the drink relatively sweet.
The American Heart Association recommends a daily added-sugar limit of 24 grams for women and 36 grams for men.
I wouldn’t recommend having Baya Energy Drink on a regular basis because it contains a lot of sugar. The caffeine content may protect you from harm, but sugar will not. This might lead to gaining weight, a risk of type 2 diabetes, and skin problems like acne.
On the other hand, artificial sweeteners are potentially dangerous to your health because they include harmful substances that can cause the symptoms listed below.
- Can cause cancer.
- Promote weight gain.
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Abnormal cholesterol levels.
- Joint pain
Does Baya Energy Drink Contain Electrolytes?
Yes, Baya Energy is full of electrolytes. It includes 4mg of calcium and 17mg of potassium.
Since energy drinks contain stimulants, which activate electrolytes, they can help you maintain a healthy electrolyte balance.
Potassium and calcium, as electrolyte boosters and important minerals, assist your body’s proper functioning.
Is Baya Energy Drink Healthy?
According to Starbucks, these drinks are produced with caffeine naturally found in coffee cherries and “antioxidant vitamin C for immune support to give customers a jolt of feel-good energy,”
This assertion is incorrect, in my opinion, because they failed to specify the sugar content, let alone the presence of artificial sweeteners.
This indicates that this beverage is unhealthy and should be consumed in moderation. However, it appears to be a healthier option compared to other energy drink brands.
It’s evident from the list of ingredients above that Baya Energy doesn’t use a lot of preservatives, additives, or other chemicals, which is a plus point.
We also discovered that each can contains 100 percent of the daily required Vitamin C intake. According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, it is ideal to acquire your vitamins from whole food sources.
Finally, keep an eye on the caffeine level. If you’ve already had two or three cups of coffee, an energy drink might not be the ideal choice. To avoid any sugar or caffeine crashes, I recommend drinking only one can per day.
Flavors of Baya Energy Drink
Baya Energy, for me, serves as a drink for the summers. It is refreshing due to the presence of fruits that get their caffeine from coffee, but without the flavor of the coffee.
It is available in three different flavors that are launched as of yet, which are:
- Mango Guava
- Raspberry Lime
- Pineapply Passion Fruit
Mango Guava
This flavor isn’t one of my favorites; in fact, it’s one of my least favorites. This is because of its initial strong, slightly off-putting taste, which may best be described as overripe fruitiness.
One good thing about it is the taste of mango, which is something I crave the most. I love the sweet taste that this flavor fails to provide.
Raspberry Lime
I can instantly feel the taste of raspberries on my first sip, yet the citrus taste is still felt missing. It says a ”Spartz of lime” on the can, but where is that limey taste?
Keep the facts aside; I wouldn’t say this flavor tastes horrible without the citrus taste. The pleasant and slightly tart raspberry is enough to make this an excellent choice.
Pineapply Passion Fruit
This one has to be my favorite and you should know why.
It has a sweet pineapple scent as well as a sweet pineapple flavor, making it a delight to drink. “A hint of passionfruit,” labeled at the top, and while I don’t detect it with the pineapple, it does come up in the aftertaste.
If I had to rate the overall flavor and taste of Baya, I would give it a 6 out of 10. The reason behind it would be the lack of innovation that this drink has failed to produce in its product line.
The drink also fails to provide an instant fruity taste like Red Bull and Monster. Lastly, out of 3, only one flavor captures my attention.
Watch this video that shows the review of all flavors of Baya Energy Drink.
Pros and Cons of Baya Energy Drink
This drink is a risk to those who have heart problems, are diabetic, or are weight conscious.
The main reason that contributes to this is the presence of a high amount of sugar.
Also, sweeteners expose the drink to even more health hazards.
Caffeine content does deliver a burst of energy, but at the same time, it can also be harmful to your health if consumed in excess.
Things I dislike like about Baya Energy Drinks are:
- Excessive use of sugar
- No addition of B-Vitamins
- Use of artificial sweeteners
- Average Taste
- Few flavors to choose from
I wouldn’t term Baya, on whole as a bad choice because it does contain a few positives.
Things I like about Baya Energy Drinks are:
- Presence of electrolytes
- Use of organic caffeine
- Inculsion of Vitamin C
- High Calories
- Low Price
Alternatives to Baya Energy Drink
Bang Energy Drink
Bang energy drinks are often developed for persons who want to add a caffeine boost to their high-intensity workouts or reduce their body fat percentage.
It contains 300 mg of caffeine, no sugar, no calories, a blend of vitamins and minerals, and well as a proprietary substance known as “Super Creatine,” which has been the subject of much investigation and discussion.
The terms Ultra COQ10, like BCAA Amino Acids and Super Creatine, are emblazoned across the very top of the can, taking up valuable space that could be utilized to state the exact amount of COQ10 in the can.
Bang is a 16-ounce can containing various trace elements, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners.
Reign Total Body Fuel Energy Drink
Reign provides a lot of versatility to get you through workouts or late-night crunches at a low-calorie cost, with a good variety of flavors, and fair pricing.
Reign has only ten calories per 16 fl. oz. Can.
Due to the lack of sugar, Reign has a low caloric content, which is ideal if you’re searching for a low-calorie drink that won’t interfere with your entire diet.
All of the caffeine in Reign comes from green coffee beans and tea leaves.
Reign is one of the most potent energy drinks on the market, with 300mg of caffeine—a dubious distinction shares with Bang.
Conclusion
Finally, the new Starbucks Baya Energy beverages are equivalent to the competition in terms of caffeine content, as they deliver a quick boost while containing significantly less caffeine than Bang or Reign Energy.
Compared to the ingredients in other energy drink brands, they are also relatively nutritious. They use components with health benefits, such as White Grape Extract, Green Coffee Bean, and Vitamin C.
Just don’t drink them every day because they still have a lot of sugar in them.
They’re available at most major merchants across the United States and will soon be available at all Starbucks locations, and you can then grab them easily.