Short Answer: Xtend Energy Drinks are not bad for you as long as you drink responsibly.
Xtend Energy Drinks are made by Scivation, a company from South Carolina specializing in sports supplements.
This line of energy drinks is marketed as a great workout drink that can be consumed before, during, and after exercise.
With Xtend Energy Drinks boosting ingredients typically found in dietary supplements, you might be curious about whether these drinks will actually improve your physical performance.
Or is it really good for you?
Well? I can help you make sense of it.
If you’re ready, let’s get to it real quick!
Xtend Energy Drink Nutrition Information
One 16 fl.oz can of Xtend Carbonated contains:
- 0 Calories
- 0 g Carbohydrate
- 0 g Sugar
- 250 mg Sodium
- 200 mg Potassium
- 3500 mg L-leucine
- 1750 mg L-isoleucine
- 1750 mg L-valine
- 1140 mg Electrolyte blend (sodium citrate, potassium chloride, sodium chloride)
- 1000 mg Citrulline malate (1:1)
Xtend Energy Carbonated also contains trace amounts of:
- Carbonated water
- Citric acid
- Tartaric acid
- Natural & artificial flavors
- Sucralose
- Sodium benzoate (preservative)
- Malic acid
- Acesulfame potassium
(This drink doesn’t contain any sugar, artificial coloring or dyes.)
Moreover, here are the ingredients found in a 66 fl. oz can of Xtend Energy On-The-Go:
- 0 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 220 g Sodium
- 0 g Total Carbohydrate
- 0 g Total Sugar
- 0g Protein
- 240 mg Potassium
- 640 mcg Vitamin B6
- 7000 mg BCAAs (L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine)
- 1000 mg Taurine
- 500 mg L-Citrulline
- 125 mg Caffeine
Xtend Energy On-The-Go also contains:
- Carbonated Water
- Instantized BCAAs (L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine, sunflower lecithin)
- Citric Acid
- Electrolyte Blend (sodium citrate, potassium chloride, sodium chloride)
- Malic Acid
- Natural Flavors
- Potassium Sorbate (preservative)
- Sucralose
- Acesulfame Potassium
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
(There’s no sugar, artificial colorings, or dyes in this drink.)
How much caffeine is in a can of Xtend Energy?
Xtend Energy On-The-Go contains 125 mg of caffeine while Xtend Carbonated remains caffeine-free.
Xtend Energy On-the-Go contains caffeine anhydrous.
Unlike regular caffeine which naturally comes from certain plants, caffeine anhydrous is a highly concentrated caffeine powder that is extracted from coffee plants.
Is caffeine anhydrous as beneficial as regular caffeine?
Yes, caffeine anhydrous is just as beneficial as regular caffeine.
It provides a more standard dosage compared to brewed beverages and can also be turned into pills, gums, and gels, and is easier to carry around.
Research has also shown that caffeine anhydrous could improve resistance exercise performance.
Excessive consumption of caffeine anhydrous could lead to migraines, insomnia, restlessness, and nausea.
Additionally, given the wrong dosage, caffeine anhydrous may even result in potential death since it’s quite potent in its powdered form.
How much caffeine is too much?
A healthy adult can take as much as 400 mg of caffeine in a day, based on the guidelines proposed by FDA.
The 125 mg caffeine content in Xtend Energy is pretty low, which means that you can probably consume at least 3 cans without going past the limit.
But I don’t really recommend it…
You might end up with a bad crash and suffer through the nasty symptoms of caffeine overdose including:
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- headaches
- fever
- irritability
- trouble breathing
- increased thirst
- confusion
- chest pain
- irregular or fast heartbeat
Depending on your caffeine tolerance, up to a maximum of 400 mg of caffeine per day is fine to give you a boost for a couple of hours without suffering from headaches and palpitations.
However, some people may only be able to tolerate a fraction of that.
Caffeinated drinks are not bad at all if consumed the way they should be.
Some of the potential benefits of drinking caffeinated drinks include:
- weight loss
- better sports performance
- alertness
- improved mental function
What is BCAA?
Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) are comprised of 3 amino acids which are leucine, isoleucine, and valine.
BCAAs can enhance athletic performance, prevent fatigue, and decrease the risk of muscle breakdown. It is beneficial for muscle growth and protects the muscles from injuries.
Consuming BCAA before and after exercise reduces muscle damage and promotes muscle building.
Here’s the thing…
Your body can’t create these amino acids naturally but it can be obtained through diet, drinks, and supplements.
A 16 fl. oz can of Xtend Energy drink contains 1000 mg BCAA. Here are the BCAA components present in Xtend Energy:
| BCAAs | Purpose |
| Leucine | stimulates more efficient muscle protein synthesis (muscle building) leading to healthier and stronger muscles |
| Isoleucine | improves endurance and promotes muscle repair and recovery after physical exercise |
| Valine | supplies energy to the body during physical activity and prevents muscle breakdown |
How much BCAA is too much?
The World Health Organization proposes an intake of 15 mg BCAA per pound of body weight every day.
However, the recommended dosage changed throughout the years and newer studies suggested the following:
| Men | Minimum of 12 g per day |
| Women | Minimum of 9 g per day |
However, as is the case with any substance, consuming too much of it might have unintended consequences. Consuming an excessive quantity of BCAAs may lead to drowsiness, incoordination, nausea, headaches, and even an increase in insulin resistance.
There are also studies that have found possible links between high amounts of BCAA and the potential development of liver problems, heart diseases, and cancer.
But there’s nothing to worry about as long as you stick to the recommended intake.
What sweeteners are in Xtend Energy Drinks?
The sweeteners found in Xtend Energy Drinks are sucralose and acesulfame potassium which are both artificial sweeteners found in baked goods, candies, frozen desserts, and beverages.
Sucralose and acesulfame potassium (or ace-K) are safe to consume and approved for general use by the U.S Food and Drug Administration.
Sucralose is a calorie-free sweetener that is 400 to 700 times sweeter than sugar.
It has little to no effect on blood sugar and insulin levels but it depends if you’re used to consuming artificial sweeteners.
On the other hand, acesulfame potassium is another type of calorie-free sweetener that is 200 times sweeter than sugar.
It is a crystal white powder with a slightly bitter after-taste – the reason why it is mixed often with sucralose or aspartame to mask the bitter taste.
I know they taste great and it can be hard to stop, but you also shouldn’t go overboard when it comes to sucralose or any artificial sweeteners.
Artificial sweeteners have been found to be linked to many health problems when taken excessively.
So, tread lightly!
Is taurine safe to consume?
Taurine is safe if consumed responsibly.
It can be found in meat and fish, and can also be taken as supplements to help improve metabolism.
Also, taurine can be produced naturally by the body and plays an important role in several body functions.
Plus, it’s also a popular ingredient in energy drinks because it can enhance exercise performance.
Those who consumed taurine showed a 1.7% improvement in physical performance in a study conducted on eight middle-distance runners.
So far, taurine hasn’t been known to cause any negative effects when it’s taken in recommended dosages.
The most common dosage for taurine is 500 to 2000 mg per day.
The 1000 mg taurine in a can of Xtend Energy On the Go is safe and will not give you any side effects.
Is Vitamin B6 good for me?
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) is good for you because it helps the nervous system to function properly.
Vitamin B6 is one of the most important B vitamins your body needs for optimal health.
Some of the benefits of Vitamin B6 include:
- promotes brain health
- improved mood
- prevent and treat anemia
- reduce the risk of heart disease
The tolerable limit of B6 for adults is 100 mg per day. However, if you’re interested in taking more than the recommended dosage, I suggest consulting your GP.
Can you drink more than one Xtend Energy Drink in one day?
Considering the caffeine content of Xtend Energy, you should be fine after consuming 2 or 3 cans of it.
I strongly recommend drinking it slowly to avoid shocking your system with caffeine.
It is better to drink Xtend Energy on an off-and-on basis to avoid the side effects and to experience the perks of drinking energy drinks.
However, in my opinion, I am off the idea of consuming more than one can of any energy drink a day.
One can of Xtend Energy is just about right to keep you going.
I prefer to stick to one can per day because I can still get caffeine from other drinks that I have throughout the day.
But it depends on your caffeine tolerance and the level of physical activity you’re involved with.
Just make sure not to go past the recommended intake per day for caffeine which is 400 mg!
Xtend Energy Drinks Side Effects
Some of the known side effects of drinking Xtend Energy and energy drinks include:
- headaches
- fatigue
- increased thirst
- restlessness
Overconsumption can also lead to major health issues such as:
- heart diseases
- high blood pressure
- obesity
- dental problems
Alternatives to Xtend Energy Drinks
Here are some great suggestions:
Powdered energy drinks are a great option too and here are my top recommendations:
- Zipfizz
- Advocare Spark
- REIZE (10 out of 10)
REIZE is a great powdered energy drink that contains a sensible 50mg of caffeine and is loaded with taurine, ginseng, and other B Vitamins to give you the perfect energy boost.
It’s the perfect drink to have while you’re out and about. All you need is water and voila, fresh energy goodness.
Perhaps best of all, you can get REIZE shipped right to your door for only about $1 per drink.
That’s outstanding value for money.
Try REIZE today and I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s a smarter choice than Xtend.