Caffeine and Energy Drinks Archives - Page 2 of 2

Whether to fuel your workout or conquer that work project, energy drinks might help leverage your efforts. However, some energy drinks, especially in the form of preworkout mixes, contain creatine. Sourcing energy drinks without creatine are a far better alternative - especially if you like to fuel up with energy drinks often. While research suggests creatine may support muscle growth and other areas of health, some risks have been reported. Ahead, learn if creatine is worth your while and which energy drinks without creatine are on the market. Creatine - Benefits and Risks Creatine is a naturally occurring compound obtained from meat and fish. It’s also synthesized endogenously, or within the body, and stored abundantly in skeletal muscle. Considering the vast storage of creatine within muscles, the compound sparks high interest in the fitness world in hopes to enhance performance. Potential Benefits of Creatine Most of the use and benefits of creatine relate to athletic performance. In fact, the effect of creatine supplementation on resistance training is extensively evaluated with 70% reporting increases in strength. Beyond athletic performance, additional potential benefits of creatine in health and disease prevention have also been reported. Studied uses of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine include: Physical therapy and rehabilitation Women’s health Sarcopenia (muscle loss), and osteoporosis (bone loss) Brain neuroprotection and function Immunity Cancer protection and management Heart health Diabetes Chronic and post-viral fatigue Adolescent depression Pregnancy Despite the potential uses of the popular supplement, health experts still question if the benefits of creatine are worth the risk. Also read why creatine is added to almost all energy drinks here. Potential Risks of Creatine Most of the concerns about creatine relate to impurities, as dietary supplements are not always regulated. Some of us are more cautious consumers that try to consider these regulations and choose products accordingly, although many others are unfamiliar with how they are manufactured. While adverse effects of creatine supplements tend to be rare, some consumers have reported gastrointestinal disturbances and muscle cramps. Liver and kidney dysfunction are also under investigation, although studies thus far are inconclusive. Overall, it’s important to err on the side of caution before and while taking any sort of supplement, especially if managing any health condition and taking any sort of medication. There’s also an upper limit of creatine stores in the body, meaning individuals with full stores will likely not benefit from supplementation. Generally, too, 5 mg (milligrams) of creatine per day is the recommended dosage. Because creatine comes with potential risks and financial costs, supplementing via powders, capsules, or energy products is worth deciding if taking them is worth your time, money, and effort. If specifically looking for energy drinks without creatine, we have you covered! Looking to keep your caffeine intake down? Read this guide about energy drinks that are low in caffeine here. Energy Drinks Without Creatine With the help of Amazon, we curated an extensive list of energy drinks without creatine. While the identified products do not highlight creatine in their ingredients list, make sure you check the product before you buy as most brands have several products. 1. Solimo Red Energy Drink Solimo’s Red Energy Drink is a lightly carbonated, sugar-free energy drink without creatine added. Each 16-ounce energy drink supplies only 10 calories and offers 152 mg of caffeine. Pros: No creatine added Only 10 calories per can with no added sugar Contains B vitamins, ginseng, guarana, and taurine Cons: Some complaints suggest the cans are challenging to open 2. V8+ ENERGY Drink The V8 +ENERGY Drink contains no creatine and offers natural energy sourced from black and green tea. The offered flavors, including peach mango and pomegranate blueberry, are created with natural vegetable and juice blends. Pros: Creatine-free Produced with all-natural ingredients Various flavor options, including pomegranate blueberry, peach mango, strawberry banana, tropical green, and wild berry Cons: Complaints related to scamming costs 3. ZOA Energy Drink ZOA energy drinks are free of creatine, as well as sugar, taurine, gluten, artificial flavors, and preservatives. Each sip offers clean caffeine from green tea and unroasted coffee beans, providing energy without unwanted jitters and crashes. Pros: Does not contain creatine Comes in various flavors, including cherry limeade, pineapple coconut, super berry, and wild orange Supplies vitamin C to support immune health Offers B vitamins to help boost focus Contains electrolytes to optimize hydration Cons: Some reports of “off” flavors 4. Reign Fitness & Performance Drink Reign is a fitness-focused beverage without added creatine, sugar, and artificial flavors and colors. Each can provides branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and other nutrients to support physical performance and recovery. Pros: Free of creatine Various unique flavors to choose from, including white gummy beer, reignbow sherbert, and orange dreamsicle Added caffeine, BCAAs, and other ingredients to help optimize physical performance and recovery Only 10 calories per can Cons: Reports of damaged cans upon delivery 5. Monster Energy Zero Ultra Drink Monster’s Zero Ultra energy drinks are free of added creatine and sugar and contain 10 calories per can. The Zero Ultras offer refreshing, sparkling hydration and come in several flavors such as Ultra Watermelon, Ultra Paradise, and Ultra Peachy Keen. Pros: Does not contain creatine Free of added sugar and only 10 calories per can 10+ flavor options Cons: May be confused with other Monster products that supply calories and contain different ingredients 6. Ghost Energy Drink If wishing for a creatine-free energy drink with nostalgic flavors, Ghost energy drinks might be for you! From Sour Patch Kids Blue Raspberry to Swedish Fish to Warheads Sour Green Apple, Ghost’s low-calorie and sugar-free energy drinks are nothing short of unique. Pros: Free of creatine, sugar, and gluten No artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives Supplies nootropics that may support brain power Various fun flavors to choose from Cons: Reports of damaged cans upon delivery 7. Alani Nu Energy Drink Alani Nu energy drinks do not contain creatine and sugar, but do offer long-lasting energy with 200 mg of caffeine per can. The carbonation might be light but the flavor options are heavily extensive! Pros: No added creatine and sugars Many refreshing flavors such as arctic white, mimosa, Hawaiian shaved ice, rainbow candy, and watermelon wave Banned-substance tested and manufactured in GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) compliant facility Cons: Damaged delivery complaints 8. Red Bull Energy Drink Red Bull energy drinks are a creatine-free option and “vitalizes body and mind.” The energy drink comes in original and sugar-free options, each of which contains caffeine, taurine, and B-group vitamins. Pros: Does not contain creatine Comes in a sugar-free option Cons: Original Red Bull contains 110 calories and 26 grams (g) of added sugars 9. FITAID Energy Drink FITAID energy drinks are free of creatine, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, and sucralose. Each of the four flavors is naturally sweetened and offers various nutrients such as glucosamine, BCAAs, and vitamins B, C, D3, and E. Pros: Comes without creatine and artificial ingredients Only 15 calories Various hydrating flavors such as blackberry sorbet, blackberry pineapple, peach mandarin, raspberry hibiscus Cons: Other similar FITAID products do not contain caffeine, which could be confusing when ordering 10. CELSIUS Essential Energy Drink CELSIUS energy drinks offer carbonated energy without creatins. Each energy drink contains 200 mg of caffeine and zero sugars, preservatives, and artificial flavors or colors. Pros: Does not contain creatine Prepared without sugars, preservatives, and other artificial ingredients Comes in a BPA-free aluminum can Many flavors are available, including tropical vibe, fuji apple pear, peach vibe, strawberry guava, and grape rush Cons: Reports of poor flavor 11. C4 Energy Drink C4 energy drinks contain no creatine, added sugar, and artificial colors and dyes. In addition to supplying caffeine, the energy drinks are formulated with CarnoSyn Beta-Alanine and BetaPowder Natural Betaine suggested to enhance performance and fight fatigue. Pros: Lacks creatine Free of artificial colors, sugars, and calories Unique flavor options such as cotton candy, strawberry watermelon twist, cherry limeade, orange slice, purple frost, and frozen bombsicle Cons: Complaints of damaged delivery 12. Sparkling ICE +Caffeine Sparkling Water Sparkling ICE +Caffeine Sparkling Water offers carbonated energy without added creatine and sugar. Each bottle supplies 70 mg of caffeine, as well as various vitamins and antioxidants. Pros: Free of creatine Various flavor options, including blue raspberry, citrus twist, orange passion fruit, strawberry citrus, and watermelon lemonade Supplies 5 calories and zero carbs Added vitamins A and D Cons: Some reports of damaged cans following delivery 13. 3D Energy Drink The 3D Energy Drinks are free of creatine but packed with caffeinated energy! Whether to amp up your workout or for an afternoon pick-me-up, these energy drinks offer a refreshing experience with 15 calories and zero sugar. Pros: Does not contain creatine or added sugar Various flavor options Banned-substance tested and manufactured in a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) compliant facility Cons: Flavor options are designated by color so might be confusing to identify/order desired flavor profile 14. Zipfizz Energy Drink Mix For powdered energy on the go without added creatine, Zipfizz is a go-to source! Zipfizz’s healthy energy drink mixes are low-carb and zero sugar and supply 100 mg of caffeine per packet. Pros: Free of creatine Provides vitamins, antioxidants, and electrolytes Great for traveling Various flavor options, including blueberry raspberry, iced tea, orange cream, and pink grapefruit Cons: Does require mixing unlike other prepared energy drinks 15. RYSE Energy Drink RYSE offers zero creatine, sugar, and calorie energy drinks in a wide variety of thirst-quenching flavors. In addition to supplying caffeine, RYSE also contains taurine and choline bitartrate which may further enhance cognition and physical performance. Pros: Does not contain creatine, sugar, and calorie Various infamous flavor options such as Kool-Aid, Ring Pop, and SunnyD Cons: Some consumers suggest energy drink flavors do not match their preworkout powders 16. Starbucks Doubleshot Energy Espresso Drink For coffee lovers, Starbucks Doubleshot Energy Drink might just be for you. While flavor options might not be as ample as Starbucks’ endless customizations, there’s still much to choose from such as regular coffee, espresso cream, salted caramel, white chocolate, and vanilla (no drive-thru line required)! Pros: Does not contain creatine Comes in several fan-favorite coffee flavors Supplies protein (amount depending on flavor) Cons: Contains about 200 calories (dependent on flavor) 17. Aspire Energy Drink Aspire offers carbonated, sugar-free energy drinks without the use of added creatine and sugar. In addition to coming in 5+ flavor options, each energy drink contains essential vitamins, real fruit juice, and other natural ingredients. Pros: Lacks creatine, sugar, and calories Made with real fruit juice and offers natural nutrients such as biotin Several flavor options, including raspberry acai, dark cherry lime, mango lemonade, cranberry, apple acai, and orange pineapple Cons: Some consumers might prefer more caffeine from energy drink 18. Hiball Sparkling Energy Drink Hiball energy drinks harmonize seltzer water and caffeine to put some fizzy pep in your step - all without added creatine and sugar. Also, rest easy knowing Hiball is made without artificial sweeteners and preservatives. Pros: Does not contain creatine Zero calories and sugars Contains B vitamins Various flavors to try, including grapefruit, wild berry, peach, and lemon-lime Cons: Some reports of a lack of flavor 19. BEEBAD Sparkling Energy Drink BEEBAD sparkling energy drinks are creatine-free and touted to “power your mind and body with healthy, natural ingredients” - honey included! In addition to powering a workout, the energy drink can be created into trendy cocktails perfect for those looking for a health-conscious alternative to other mixers. Pros: Free of creatine and artificial ingredients Features all-natural ingredients, including honey, ginseng, maca, and some B vitamins Versatile use and enjoyment Cons: Contains 110 calories and 28g of total carbohydrates, although from a “clean” carb source Also read about water flavors without calories in this post.