C4 energy drink is one of the leading pre-workout brands in America. Its Explosive Energy Performance Blend can help you perform better in your workouts and sessions.
A can of C4 energy drink is calorie-free, sugar-free, and contains caffeine, natural flavors, vitamins, and minerals that can enhance your performance to get things done.
However, the big question is, does C4 energy drink actually does its job?
To answer you briefly, I tried a can of C4 energy drink before my workout in the afternoon, and I must say it gave me a nice boost in my workout performance.
As you keep reading this article, I’ll show you my thoughts on the effectiveness of C4 energy drink.
Let’s get started!
Page Contents
Is C4 a healthy energy drink?
C4 is a healthy energy drink. Excessive consumption of C4 energy drinks is not harmful if it is limited. It is calorie- and carbohydrate-free. However, at 200 mg, the caffeine content is significantly greater than average. Low-tolerance caffeine users may find this too much.
If in need of an additional energy boost in order to power through fitness routines or busy reviewing for finals, purchasing a can of C4 may be advantageous. Both of these pursuits call for a significant amount of mental and physical strength, C4 can help.
Do C4 energy drinks cause weight gain?
C4 energy drinks do not cause weight gain. Since C4 Original Pre-Workout has zero calories, it won’t cause any weight gain if consumed regularly. Those focused on muscle growth may not value this, but those trying to lose fat will.
The pre-workout doesn’t rely on sugar or synthetic flavors to get you amped up. Artificial sweetener sucralose is used in place of it by Cellucor. Those with a sucralose intolerance should not take C4 Pre-Workout, so keep this in mind.
Ingredients of C4 Energy Drink
C4 energy drink has four versions. They are:
- C4 Original
- C4 Smart Energy
- C4 Ultimate
- C4 Natural Zero
Let’s have a look at the ingredients list of C4 Original energy drink:
C4 Original
A 16 fl. oz. can of C4 Original contains:
- 0 calories
- 0g total carbohydrates
- 0g total sugar
- 30mg niacin (as niacinamide)
- 6mcg vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin)
- 85mg potassium
Other ingredients in the can include:
- Natural flavors
- Artificial flavors
- Carbonated water
- Citric Acid
- Potassium sorbate
- Sucralose
- Acesulfame potassium
As per the label of a can, it also has 6.73 g of Explosive Energy Performance Blend. This blend includes:
- CarnoSyn Beta-alanine
- Beta Power Betaine Anhydrous
- N-acetyl-l-tyrosine
- Citrulline Malate
- Caffeine Anhydrous (200mg)
Note: the ingredients listed above were derived from Cotton Candy flavor of a can. So, I think you should have a look at the back of your can to know what ingredients that can contain.
Caffeine Amount in C4 Energy Drink
Caffeine amount in C4 energy drink ranges from 120 mg to 300 mg.
Check the table below to know the exact amount of caffeine in four versions of C4 energy drink:
| Version of C4 | Caffeine Amount |
| C4 Original | 200 mg |
| C4 Smart Energy | 200 mg |
| C4 Ultimate | 300 mg |
| C4 Natural Zero | 120 mg |
I personally like to keep my caffeine intake around 200 mg. So, I opt for the original version of C4. Its caffeine gives me the energy to go on during my workouts.
Apart from that, caffeine is also known for improving mental alertness and cognitive abilities. This study shows that low doses of caffeine can boost physical performance.
However, drinking too much caffeine can lead to some health complications. Too much caffeine can cause:
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Weight gain
- Anxiety
- Muscle breakdown
- Digestive issues
- Addiction
The FDA recommends you keep your daily caffeine consumption below 400 mg. Otherwise, it can cause health problems that are mentioned above.
Thus, I think you should drink only one can of C4 energy drink to fuel your workout sessions. It will give you the required energy, and you will be able to focus on your mission.
Sugar in C4 Energy Drink
C4 Energy Drink has zero sugar. It uses two no-calorie artificial sweeteners— sucralose and acesulfame potassium to substitute sugar in C4 energy drinks.
As C4 energy drinks don’t contain sugar, you needn’t worry about a sugar crash. Plus, sugar-free means it won’t lead you to problems that occur from consuming too much sugar. If you’re wondering what are the dangers of over-consuming sugar, have a look at the list below:
- weight gain
- higher blood pressure
- inflammation
- fatty liver disease
- 2 types of diabetes
If you’re already consuming too much sugar, you can follow a sugar-free diet to avoid any future problem from it.
Do Artificial Sweeteners in C4 Energy Drink Actually Work?
Sucralose and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) replace sugar in C4 energy drink.
I was concerned about whether these artificial sweeteners were safe or not. The FDA declares these sweeteners as safe for general use.
Sucralose is a zero-calorie sweetener that is considered 400-700 times sweeter than sugar. It doesn’t have a bitter aftertaste like many other artificial sweeteners. Moreover, it also doesn’t affect insulin levels and blood sugar levels.
Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K) is another no-calorie sweetener that is used in C4 energy drink. It is about 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is one of the artificial sweeteners with a bitter aftertaste. That’s why it is used with sucralose in energy drinks to cover its drawback.
I think these artificial sweeteners definitely work as they make C4 energy drinks taste sweet. They enable you to drink something sweet as sugar without the dangers of sugar. That’s a pretty nice deal, right?
However, enough research has not been conducted on the long-term effects of artificial sweeteners. Therefore, I think you should limit the consumption of food and beverages that include artificial sweeteners.
Calories in C4 Energy Drink
C4 energy drink contains zero calories.
According to NHS, the recommended daily calorie should be 2000 for women and 2500 for men. It also depends on age, height, environmental temperature and other factors.
If you’re following a low-calorie diet, C4 energy drink can definitely get a place on your diet. It will give you the energy to get through the day while adding no calories to your daily calorie intake.
It definitely fits a low-calorie diet plan unlike Redbull (110 calories per 8.4 fl. oz.) and Monster (210 calories per 16 fl. oz.).
However, energy drinks can never be a replacement for your daily meals. Therefore, you need to eat proper meals and only drink energy drinks when you really need them.
Does C4 Energy Drink Actually Work?
C4 energy drink can actually give you a surge of energy to get mountains of work done.
On top of that, C4 energy drink is calorie-free and sugar-free. Therefore, it is healthier than many other energy drinks.
That being said, C4 has around 120 mg to 300 mg caffeine content, so you have to keep your daily caffeine intake in mind. Consuming too much caffeine can make you face the complications of caffeine overdose.
In my opinion, you should consume one can of C4 energy drink once a day.
C4 energy drink does the job of delivering energy to you. I think you should drink it in moderation to keep drinking it everyday.
Is C4 Energy Drink a Pre-Workout?
As per the label of the can, C4 energy drink keeps you energized on the field, in the gym, or wherever your fitness journey might take you.
Sounds like a great option for pre-workout to me!
According to this study, caffeine improves exercise performance. It can help you to train for longer times.
C4 energy drink has a version with 300 mg of caffeine— C4 Ultimate Carbonated. It is the perfect energy drink for gym rats. Its high amount of caffeine can help them do better in their workouts.
C4 Ultimate is one of the strongest energy drinks in the market right next to Bang and Celsius Heat for its caffeine amount.
However, you should avoid C4 Ultimate if you can’t handle two to three cups of coffee in a day. It can leave you with dizziness or headache because of its caffeine content.
Can C4 Energy Drink Help You Study?
C4 energy drink can deliver you energy for studying as claimed on the back of a can.
According to this journal, consuming energy drinks is very popular among college students. I think the caffeine in energy drinks might help the students during their long study sessions.
Caffeine is known to enhance mental alertness and cognitive abilities. It also boosts long-term memory. On top of that, caffeine can keep you awake when you are cramming before the exams.
I think that’s why C4 energy drink can be a great partner when your exams or deadlines of your assignments are just around the corner.
How long does it take for a C4 energy drink to kick in?
Typically, the effects of caffeine can be felt within 15 to 45 minutes after consumption, with peak energy levels reached within an hour.
However, it’s important to note that everyone’s response to caffeine may differ. It’s recommended to start with a lower dosage and assess your tolerance before increasing intake. Remember to consume energy drinks responsibly and be aware of your own body’s reactions.
Is it OK to drink C4 everyday?
While it’s technically possible to drink C4 energy drinks every day, it’s generally not recommended. C4 and similar pre-workout supplements contain high levels of caffeine and other stimulating ingredients that can have negative effects if consumed in excess.
Regular daily consumption may lead to tolerance, dependency, disrupted sleep, increased heart rate, and potential dehydration. It’s important to listen to your body and consider moderation when it comes to energy drink consumption.
How Long Does C4 Energy Drink Remain in Your System?
The effects of C4 energy drink on your body depend on your tolerance to caffeine and the other ingredients in the blend.
Caffeine has a half-life of around 5-6 hours. After the first hour of consumption, the effects of caffeine become less noticeable and its amount will begin to decrease in your bloodstream. It takes around 10-12 hours for your body to completely flush out caffeine from your bloodstream.
However, if you’re sensitive to caffeine, it might take longer to completely vanish from your bloodstream.
C4 Energy Drink Flavors
If you’re wondering what flavors do C4 energy drinks have, check out the list below:
C4 Original
- Cotton Candy
- Midnight Cherry
- Tropical Blast
- Orange Slice
- Purple Frost
- Strawberry Watermelon Ice
- Frozen Bombsicle
- Sour Batch Bros
- Twisted Limeade
- Cherry Limeade
C4 Smart Energy
- Cotton Candy
- Freedom Ice
- Electric Sour
- Peach Mango Nectar
C4 Ultimate
- Arctic Snow Cone
- Sour Batch Bros
- Tropical Blast
C4 Natural Zero
- Cherry Lime
- Strawberry Coconut
- Blueberry Lemonade
I enjoy the Cotton Candy flavor of C4 Original the most. It gives me a nice and refreshing feeling during my workouts.
You can watch this review about C4 energy drinks below to know more about the pre-workout.
Alternatives to C4 Energy Drink
Here are some alternatives to C4:
- Monster
- Celsius
- Redbull
- Bang
- Coca-Cola Energy
- Game Fuel
- NOS
- Rockstar
- AMP
Conclusion
Overall, I like the taste of C4 energy drink and it gives me quite a nice boost for my workouts. On top of that, it suits my sugar-free diet.
I think C4 energy drink is more like a pre-workout than an energy drink you enjoy casually. Again, it’s my personal opinion, it is perfectly fine if you want to drink it casually.
A can of C4 can give you all the boost you might need in a day. Its high amount of caffeine can also drive away your afternoon slump.
Just one thing to remember, don’t drink a can of C4 energy drink if you are sensitive to caffeine. Other than that, you’re good to grab a can of C4!