13 Healthiest Energy Drinks, According to a Dietitian

Energy drinks have earned a conflicting reputation over the years, and that’s because most mainstream energy drink brands are loaded with added sugars, unwanted ingredients, and way too much caffeine. However, despite there being plenty of unhealthy energy drinks to watch out for, some brands are slowly changing the game by making better-for-you, healthy energy drinks.

As you make the switch to healthy energy drinks, you’ll probably notice that you’re drinking less added sugar, especially as many cleaner brands utilize sweeteners derived directly from fruit juice or Stevia. These are all important things to look out for as you choose which drinks will fuel your busy day, but this can be hard when you walk down the grocery store aisle. We have sourced 13 of our favorite healthier energy drink brands to help you decide which to put in your cart and which to leave on the shelf for good.

How we choose the healthiest energy drinks

Here are a few factors that we like to consider when choosing healthier energy drinks:

• Low or no added sugar: The American Heart Association suggests that men should consume no more than 36 grams of added sugar per day, and women should aim for a maximum of 25 grams. Consuming too many added sugars is linked to an increased risk of heart health concerns, obesity, and more. Sugary beverages, like energy drinks, are the leading source of added sugars in the American diet. Ideally, your drink will be free from added sugars. But if it’s not, it shouldn’t be loaded with the sweet stuff.

• No artificial sweeteners or colorings: While the data is mixed regarding whether consuming artificial sweeteners or colorings causes harm, we chose to pick drinks that are free from these additions until more research is available to help us best understand how these additives affect the body. Natural sweeteners, like Stevia, are not considered artificial.

• Moderate caffeine levels: If the energy drink selected contains caffeine, we try to keep the caffeine limit to a maximum of 150 milligrams per serving. The FDA suggests most people limit their caffeine intake to 400 milligrams per day, so keeping the limit of 150 milligrams of caffeine per can in mind allows for additional caffeine-containing drinks and food throughout the day, like a cup of morning coffee or a nosh of afternoon chocolate.

The 13 Best Energy Drinks

If you need an energy boost during the day but want to stick to healthier choices, here are some of our top picks. Read on, then check out 12 Foods That Give You All Day Energy.

Zoa Wild Orange

Non-caffeinated energizing ingredients: B vitamins (riboflavin [B2], niacin [B3], pantothenic acid [B5], B6, folate [B9], B12), amino acids, camu camu

Perhaps the most “traditional” of these healthier energy drinks is Zoa’s line of zero-sugar energy drinks. The caffeine in Zoa is derived from natural ingredients such as green tea and green coffee beans—which are raw, unroasted coffee beans.

Without any artificial flavors or colors, this is a great alternative to more mainstream brands. Additionally, this energy drink offers a plethora of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamins B6, B12, and C.

RELATED: 11 Unhealthiest Bottled Coffee Drinks—Ranked by Sugar

Bai Boost (Black Raspberry)

Non-caffeinated energizing ingredients: n/a

Bai Boosts are an energy-boosting addition to Bai’s traditional line of antioxidant beverages. With as much caffeine as a cup of coffee—and offered in a variety of flavors—these drinks are both stimulating and hydrating.

Bai Boosts offer a variety of antioxidants that fight free radicals. And what are free radicals? Studies have shown that free radicals may damage DNA, which, in turn, may impact a person’s risk of developing certain cancers.

So, why not get your daily fix of antioxidants while energizing for the day ahead?

FocusAid Clean Energy Melon Maté

Non-caffeinated energizing ingredients: B vitamins (thiamin [B1], riboflavin [B2], niacin [B3], pantothenic acid [B5], B6, B12), Acetyl-L carnitine hydrochloride, α-glyceryl phosphorylcholine (α-GPC), Panax ginseng root extract, Rhodiola rosea root extract, Green tea extract, Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), Yerba mate extract

The “Focus” in this title is no joke, with a combination of both Yerba Maté and green tea, this drink has a slower-releasing 100 milligrams of caffeine that doesn’t send you into an anxious spiral (we’ve all been there, right?).

FocusAid provides an abundance of other added vitamins and minerals such as Vitamins C, D3 (essential for bone health), B12 (to support energy levels), and biotin – plus many more!

Made with Stevia instead of artificial sweeteners, you can feel confident that you’re not guzzling unhealthy ingredients that will make you feel sluggish once the caffeine wears off.

GORGIE

Non-caffeinated energizing ingredients: L-theanine, B vitamins (B3, B6, and B12)

GORGIE is vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and free from artificial preservatives, sweeteners, colors, and flavors. It uses green tea caffeine with antioxidants, stevia, natural flavors, and fruits and vegetables for color. Every can contains zero grams of sugar, as well as L-Theanine, biotin, and B6 and B12 vitamins.

RELATED: Are Celsius Energy Drinks Healthy? We Asked a Dietitian

Guayakí Yerba Maté Peach Revival

Non-caffeinated energizing ingredients: n/a

Yerba Maté is a traditional South American tea that has taken the world by storm.

This tea, sourced from the leaves and stems of Ilex paraguariensis, is chocked full of different health benefits, including offering anti-inflammatory benefits. The Peach Revival flavor contains only 3 grams of sugar and a whopping 150 milligrams of caffeine.

As an additional benefit, Yerba Maté may even help you maintain a healthy weight, as drinking this tea before a workout may help you burn additional fat.

RELATED: 12 Healthiest Iced Teas on Grocery Shelves—and 4 To Avoid

Nuun Energy Berry Blast

Non-caffeinated energizing ingredients: Panax ginseng (20 mg), B vitamins ( B12 & B6)

Not all energy drinks need to come in a wasteful plastic bottle. Companies like Nuun sell effervescent tablets that easily dissolve in your favorite on-the-go cup with only 2 grams of added sugars.

In a variety of flavors, these tablets not only come with caffeine to rejuvenate but also provide 20 milligrams of Panax Ginseng, which may support energy levels. In layman’s terms, this means that Nuun Energy promotes calmness and a more regulated nervous system. Therefore, you get the wakefulness of caffeine without the jittery nerves.

RELATED: The 9 Unhealthiest Juices On Grocery Store Shelves

GT Alive Mushroom Elixir

Non-caffeinated energizing ingredients: Adaptogenic mushrooms (reishi, chaga, turkey tail)

What sets GT’s Alive apart from other energy drinks is that it helps your mind feel more alert and focused while also fueling your body. This ancient mushroom elixir is designed with functional mushrooms like reishi to help combat fatigue. Plus, it is made with loose-leaf tea to give this drink 75 milligrams of natural caffeine.

The addition of apple cider vinegar is a nice bonus for those who like to include that ingredient in their routine. With only 5 grams of sugar per bottle, it is a nice alternative to super-sugary sodas and other energy-boosting options.

RELATED: The 20 Unhealthiest Sodas—Ranked by Sugar Content

Odyssey Mushroom Elixir

Non-caffeinated energizing ingredients: Mushroom adaptogens (Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps), L-theanine, panax ginseng root extract

Odyssey Mushroom Elixirs are made with nootropics—known as cognitive enhancers—like lion’s mane and cordyceps to help promote focus while leaning on caffeine for a boost of energy. These drinks also contain L-theanine, a type of amino acid known to help reduce stress and anxiety, which can help balance out the energizing effects of caffeine.

Proper Wild Clean All Day Energy Shots

Non-caffeinated energizing ingredients: L-theanine

Shots? No, not that kind—energy shots! Instead of jitter-inducing Five Hour Energy shots, Proper Wild Clean Energy Shots contain no artificial colors or sweeteners.

Additionally, these little shots contain no added sugars, with all 9 grams of sugar derived solely from fruit juices. According to Proper Wild’s website, these little shots contain 15 times more L-Theanine than a cup of green tea, aiding in stress and anxiety control while also stimulating and promoting focus and alertness when combined with naturally occurring caffeine.

Throne Sport Coffee

Non-caffeinated energizing ingredients: B Vitamins (B2, B3, B6 & B12)

Throne Sport Coffee is a ready-to-drink iced coffee that combines natural caffeine, natural flavors, and natural sweeteners with B vitamins, electrolytes, and BCAAs. This drink provides 150 milligrams of natural caffeine with nothing artificial. Throne Sport Coffee Black has only 1 gram of natural sugar and 25 calories per can.

RELATED: I Tried 12 Canned Coffees & the Best Is Perfectly Frothy & Lightly Sweet

All Phenoms Motivate

Non-caffeinated energizing ingredients:B vitamins, L-theanine, Lion’s Mane

With 78 milligrams of caffeine, this sparking functional water is organic, vegan, gluten-free, and free from anything artificial. This healthy energy drink also contains pre and probiotics to support gut health and additions like B vitamins, L-theanine, and lion’s mane to support energy levels.

HappyPop! Functional Energy

Non-caffeinated energizing ingredients: n/a

HappyPop! is a sparkling beverage with functional and adaptogenic ingredients that may improve energy and a happier mood. Some ingredients include organic green coffee beans, apple cider vinegar, and Adaptogen Mcununa pruriens (dopabean), also known as “magic velvet bean.” Studies have shown that mcununa pruriens extracts may exert various pharmacological effects, including anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antioxidant properties. Researchers believe this is likely due to the presence of L-dopa, a precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine. However, more research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying these activities.

HappyPop is available in three flavors: Rainbow Drip, Lemon Zing, and Tangerine Dream.

Rebbl: Awake Maca Cold Brew

Non-caffeinated energizing ingredients: Maca root extract (750 mg)

Perhaps this isn’t the most traditional energy drink, but we wanted to include Rebbl’s Awake Maca Cold Brew on our list as this cold brew includes maca, which is an adaptogen that helps the body “adapt” to stress, giving it an added benefit vs. drinking plain old coffee. This cold brew is vegan and gluten-free and made entirely without GMOs.

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