C4 Energy claims to up your game in any physical activity, especially if you’re a regular gym-goer. The brand asserts that it’s the “fuel the unlock the best version of yourself.”
But once you take a closer look at it, is it really worth your time? Can it really help you improve your performance?
C4 may be a popular brand to energy drink enthusiasts, but if you’re still not sold on the drink, then look no further as we answer all your questions about the brand’s contents and efficacy in this article.
C4 works really well as a fitness drink that can energize you through your workouts. Most of the available versions have a moderate caffeine content and one serving is enough to get you through strenuous physical activities. Additionally, its proprietary blend contains vitamins like Beta-Alanine and Citrulline Malate, which improve bodily functions.
If you’re ready, then let’s go ahead!
C4 Energy Ingredients
Unfortunately, C4 Energy does not put the exact amount for every ingredient in their cans. However, here’s a list of its components inside a 16 fl. oz of product.
- Citrulline Malate
- Beta-Alanine
- Betaine Anhydrous
- N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
- Caffeine Anhydrous
- Carbonated Water
- Citric Acid
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Potassium Sorbate
- Sucralose
- Acesulfame Potassium
C4 Nutritional Facts
To start, C4’s use of carbonated water is an excellent addition to the list. It helps improve digestion and really gives a full-bodied, fresh taste to the drinks.
The Citrulline Malate produces healthier blood vessels for better blood circulation, which can then help the Beta-Alanine lessen muscle fatigue after a workout or two. Meanwhile, the N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine produces neurotransmitters for better cognitive performance.
On another note, the Betaine Anhydrous ensures that the body metabolizes everything it’s receiving.
C4 Energy calls these ingredients their Performance Blend, responsible for the explosive boost you may get after consuming a whole can.
Besides these, they also sport the infamous B-Vitamins for extra nutrition for your body. Here’s a short table for their effects.
Vitamin | Functions | Amount per 16 fl. oz of C4 | Recommended Intake Level |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | It keeps skin healthy and aids the body in releasing energy | 43mg | 16mg |
| Vitamin B12 | Release energy from food makes red blood cells and keeps the nervous system healthy | 5.1µg | 2.4mcg |
If you’d like to know more about B Vitamins’ various functions and benefits, I discuss them in detail in this article.
Caffeine Content
A whole 16. fl. oz can of C4 Energy contains 200mg of caffeine.
This amount is half of the FDA‘s 400mg recommended daily caffeine intake. Since the appropriate caffeine content only falls around 80-100mg, this amount can be too much for many individuals, especially caffeine-sensitive ones.
However, those who are pretty used to this moderately high dosage can significantly benefit from it. The high caffeine level can easily give alertness and increased physical performance, and elevated cognitive function.
Sugar Content
Good news: C4 Energy is sugar-free!
However, there are artificial sweeteners present in the product. These are Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium.
Both products are FDA-approved and are commonly used in the food industry as sugar substitutes, especially when it comes to Diabetic-friendly snacks and beverages.
Both Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium are at least 200 times sweeter than table sugar, so small amounts can go a really long way.
It’s also worth mentioning that these contain little to no calories, which can then aid in preventing fatigue and make them suitable for calorie-restricted diets and active lifestyles.
Can You Drink C4 Energy More Than Once a Day?
While you can technically drink more than a can of C4 Energy, I highly suggest that you shouldn’t.
Since it contains 200mg of caffeine, two cans can immediately put you in a risky position since you’ll be pushing the recommended daily limit.
Excessive consumption can result in harmful side effects like headaches, anxiety, and insomnia. Furthermore, we can also consume caffeine from other food and drinks like chocolate and tea, so going overboard with the C4 drinks can quickly lead to overdose if you’re not careful.
C4 Energy Side Effects
Because of its caffeine content, one of the concerning side effects of C4 Energy is caffeine addiction.
Studies have shown how addictive this compound is. Unfortunately, teenagers and young adults make up most of the energy drink industry’s audience, making them vulnerable to such circumstances.
This fixation results in lethargy, anxiety, and on some occasions, may cause alcohol or drug consumption. This is why I wouldn’t recommend C4 to minors and pregnant women.
Despite being sugar-free, the presence of artificial sweeteners imposes the possibility of sugar addiction.
The benefits of these substitutes being calorie-free and safe for diabetes causes an illusion that it’s safe to splurge on them. However, journals have indicated that they cause weight gain, skin problems and may even lead to an eating disorder if left unchecked.
So while EDs are safe for consumption, you shouldn’t abuse their usage. In my opinion, energy drinks are best paired with exercise and healthy meals.
How Long does C4 Energy Take to Kick in?
Initially, it only takes 10 minutes for an energy drink to kick in. The caffeine is then fully absorbed into your bloodstream within the first 45 minutes.
Once that happens, you’ll be more alert and focused, your performance will peak, and you will experience an hours-long energy boost.
And since C4 doesn’t contain table sugars, you won’t get to experience the sugar crash that will follow your peak within the 1-hour mark.
On another note, it will take at least 12 hours for the caffeine to altogether leave your bloodstream. And with that high dosage, you still may feel its kick despite its decline within those 12 hours.
If you’re concerned about your energy drinks causing a crash, you can check out my list of foolproof brands!
The video below also discusses energy drinks’ effects on the body.
C4 Flavors
C4 Energy sports 11 flavors that you can check out and try for yourself. These are called:
- Frozen Bombsicle
- Tropical Blast
- Strawberry Watermelon Ice
- Twisted Limeaide
- Artic Snow Cone
- Cherry Limeaide
- Cotton Candy
- Midnight Cherry
- Orange Slice
- Purple Frost
- Sour Batch Bros
Where Can I Buy C4 Energy?
You can purchase your own cans of C4 energy from their official website for a more direct transaction. On the other hand, you can also buy them on Amazon per case, containing 12 cans.
The average 16 fl. oz costs around $3, while their 12 fl. oz counterpart retails for around $2. These prices are all the same for all C4 products on the market.
However, you should anticipate a variation of prices as it will also depend on your location and the drinks’ availability.
C4 Energy Alternatives
So maybe C4 isn’t the right drink for you for some reason. Here are some alternatives that may be the answer to your dilemma!
Zipfizz
This powdered energy drink is encased in colorful tubes that match their corresponding flavors—all eleven of them!
It also contains 100mg of caffeine, which sits fairly low on the scale. Various vitamins and minerals aim to energize and provide nutrients await you in every 16-20 ounces of water, minus the sugar.
Being encased in a plastic tube, the product can also be advantageous since it’s travel-friendly and does not require much space on your countertop. I personally think the best part is that you control how much or little you can use for every serving.
So if you want a powdered ED without having to worry about the harmful effects of caffeine and sugar combined, then Zipfizz may just be the savior you’ve been searching for!
XS Energy
This 8.4 fl. oz of energy boost and goodness is proving that size doesn’t matter.
You get to receive 80mg of caffeine and various vitamins and minerals to keep you in good shape for every can. What’s great is you can pick your best bet out of all 18 flavors. Good news: it’s sugar-free too!
If you’re also new to energy drinks and don’t want to be bombarded with irregular heartbeats and other effects while still enjoying yourself, then maybe XS energy is your next partner in crime!
This is a perfect fit if you don’t need the extra energy for the day. It personally feels like drinking a cup of coffee before conquering the rest of the morning. Subtle yet very effective.
REIZE (10 out of 10)
But if you’re looking for a guaranteed energy booster minus the sugar crash and palpitations, then REIZE is your best match!
For every 4g sachet, you receive 50mg of caffeine, various vitamins such as the B-Complex, Taurine, Ginseng, and many more. You can get all these in one serving without having to worry about any sugar crashes.
Because of its caffeine content, you won’t put yourself at risk for caffeine’s side effects, even if you take one or two sachets once in a while.
On the plus side, REIZE comes in sachets, so you can easily carry it around in your bag and whip up a fresh drink anytime.
Even more exciting is that you can get this product for only around $1 per sachet and even delivered right to your doorstep!
It’s affordable and hassle-free! So if you’re curious about it, I highly suggest that you should give REIZE a try today!
Other Noteworthy Brands
These are also some of the other brands you may find appealing:
The Verdict
C4 Energy is an effective performance drink that will surely get you going. Although its caffeine content is quite high, it can certainly deliver when it comes to improving whatever you’re bringing to the table.
Its ingredients are not that unique, but being sugar-free is a nice bonus. However, in my opinion, C4 isn’t for newbies or those who are caffeine sensitive.
Recognizing the harmful effects of caffeine and using it in moderation is essential. While many brands may claim to be healthy, consuming excessive amounts of any substance may have negative effects.
All in all, C4 Energy is a great brand I can get behind on. It won’t disappoint you.