Amino Energy can be a great and effective energy drink if taken properly, but you may encounter some side effects if you excessively consume it. Side effects of excessive caffeine consumption include headaches, increased heart rate, insomnia, and high blood pressure.
Optimum Nutrition, a sports-oriented company that focuses mostly on nutritional supplements, developed the energy drink brand Amino Energy. It is packed with electrolytes that can undoubtedly offer you a considerable boost of energy and leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Does Amino have side effects despite having fantastic ingredients and amazing benefits? Continue reading as I explain more about its potential dangers so that you’ll know how to avoid them.
Let’s get started!
Ingredients in Amino Energy
Amino Energy is considered a supplement and it comes with ingredients that are vital for our bodies. Some of them are as follows:
- Carbonated water
- Natural flavors
- Artificial flavors
- Acids: Citric acid, Tartaric Acid, and Malic acid
- Sodium citrate
- Potassium chloride
- Magnesium phosphate
- BCAAs
- Preservatives: Potassium sorbate and Potassium benzoate
- Artificial sweeteners: Sucralose and Acesulfame potassium
That being said, two artificial sweeteners, Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium are included in its formula. These two ingredients are often seen together in sugar-free drinks, and they both have a higher sweetness than regular table sugar.
Due to these sweeteners, you can consume a whole can of Amino Energy without being worried about exceeding the recommended daily consumption limits for sugar, which are 24 g for women and 36g for women. It helps you avoid any unwanted weight gain and it doesn’t increase your chances of developing diabetes.
Amino Energy Nutrition Facts
In addition to its ingredients, there are other beneficial nutrients are included in a single can of Amino Energy. If you want to have a better understanding of them, you don’t want to miss the following sections:
| Nutritional Values | Amount Per Serving (16 fl. oz) |
| Calories | 5 calories |
| Caffeine | 100 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 1 g |
| Total Fats | 0 g |
| Total Sugar | 0 g |
| Amino Acid Blend | 5 g |
| Salt | 100 mg |
The most important component in an Amino energy drink is caffeine. Every 16 fl. oz. of this energy drink has 100 mg of organically derived caffeine which is considered to be a moderate dosage of caffeine.
The caffeine concentration of Amino Energy is appealing to me since it corresponds to my caffeine tolerance. Consuming around 50 to 100 milligrams of caffeine per day is like drinking a little bit more than 2 cups of brewed coffee.
Benefits of Amino Energy
There are many advantages Amino Energy provides and the following are just a few of them.
If you look closely, you’ll see that there’s BCAA (Branched-Chained Amino Acid) in Amino Energy’s formulation. The inclusion of BCAA is one of the reasons why many consumers patronize this drink.
That’s understandable since BCAAs has several health advantages and some of which are detailed below:
- Aids in muscle development
- Increases overall body muscle mass
- Reduces muscular discomfort
- Helps avoid liver disorders
On the other hand, Amino Energy does not only include the BCAAs leucine, isoleucine, and valine but there are also other components like Citrulline, which is a supplement that may help to enhance blood flow and function as a “muscle pump.”
Additionally, there’s beta-alanine, which may assist in delaying exhaustion; tyrosine, which acts as a stimulant; methionine, which is important for bone health; and phenylalanine, which may increase the operation of the neurological system as well as have positive effects on the mood, are all present as well.
Side Effects of Amino Energy
Unfortunately, Amino energy also has some downsides. If you go overboard with this drink, you might experience some effects that you might not be expecting at all.
So, here are some of the adverse effects that you could experience if you consume an excessive amount of Amino energy drink:
- Acute caffeine intoxication
- Detrimental neurological consequences (associated with adolescents and children)
- Unnecessary weight gain
- Caffeine Addiction
- Morbid obesity
Considering Amino Energy is a sugar-free beverage, it is very uncommon that you will develop Type 2 diabetes or obesity while consuming it. There are, however, limitations with how many sweeteners you should consume regularly.
The amount of sucralose, the sweetener used in all Amino Energy flavors, you should consume per day should not exceed 9 mg/kg of body weight. As for Ace-K, it is recommended that you consume no more than 15 mg/kg body weight in 24 hours.
If you consume sucralose and Ace-K in quantities that exceed the acceptable daily intake values shown above, you may experience the following negative effects:
- Lightheadedness
- Diarrhea
- Respiratory issues
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Mood changes
Amino Energy Drink Review
Amino energy is undoubtedly a powerful stimulant. It has a substantial concentration of caffeine and taurine, which helps improve attention and reduce unpleasant sensations.
For a boost of energy, I highly recommend Amino Energy. The inclusion of BCAAs, which aid in the prevention of muscle soreness and the improvement of endurance to some degree, is responsible for this. When used properly and in moderation, Amino Energy may be enjoyed without causing agitation.
Regarding its taste, it’s a flavorful drink with lots of available flavors you can choose from. In fact, unlike any other powdered energy drink composition, they are neither too sweet nor gritty in texture.
Alternatives to Amino Energy
Suppose you think that Amino Energy drinks don’t suit your preferences and you’d like to look for other options, the following are some of the alternatives that I recommend, with the last one being highly recommended.
Mountain Dew Kickstart
Mountain Dew Kickstart, being true to its name, is an excellent kick-starter beverage for your mornings.
With only 90mg of caffeine per serving, Mountain Dew Kickstart is a caffeinated beverage that I highly suggest to folks who are just getting started with caffeine-containing drinks. Kickstart has precisely the right quantity of caffeine to give you a boost of energy without putting you in danger of side effects due to caffeine overdose.
Aspire Energy Drink
Aspire energy drink is made up of naturally-derived components that may help you feel more active and energetic.
Besides, it is known as a brand that contains high amounts of vitamin C and B vitamins, which are needed for general health. Also, its optimal combination of components may provide a nice boost without causing a crash or jitteriness.
Other than that, it may also assist you in burning calories by increasing your metabolic rate. Thus, its moderate caffeine content (80mg) can also assist you in keeping your overall caffeine consumption within a safe range.
Plus, one of the noteworthy facts about this drink is that it has no calories or sugar.
Other energy drinks you can also consider:
REIZE (Top Pick)
Preparing a serving of REIZE energy drink is not just simple and easy, but it can also be fun. All you have to do is mix the powder from its convenient 4g sachet packaging into cold water or any of your favorite drinks, stir, and enjoy a very refreshing energy drink.
REIZE is a remarkable drink because of its blend of energy-boosting elements, which include taurine, B Vitamins, ginseng, and other compounds.
Featuring just 50 mg of caffeine in each sachet, you’ll be having just the proper amount to improve your fitness levels without experiencing any negative side effects. REIZE is also sugar-free and has just 11 calories per serving, it poses no harm to any weight-loss programs or diet you may be following or will be following.
But, it doesn’t get much better than this: You can get REIZE for only around $1 and you can even have your orders shipped straight to your home. What a fantastic deal for a fantastic product!
So go ahead and give REIZE a try now! See for yourself how much of a positive effect it can make in your everyday life.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Optimum Nutrition did an amazing job of having Amino energy on its energy drink lineup. Given that they are largely a fitness-focused company, this is not surprising.
This drink is effective if you are looking for a refreshment that provides a great surge of energy without having to worry about crashes. Therefore all of the side effects this drink has are the ones triggered by overconsumption and abuse.
Lastly, and I will never get tired of saying this, take your energy drinks in moderation!