Game Fuel is designed for boosting the mental endurance and concentration of gamers. It is loaded with ingredients that are said to help power you through long gaming sessions and other heavy mental tasks.
But what exactly goes into the formula of a Game Fuel Energy Drink, and how effective are the ingredients in giving you the energy boost you crave?
A regular 16 fl. oz can of Game Fuel has 90 calories, 23g of sugar, and 90mg of caffeine, along with a side of Vitamin A, and B-Vitamins. Overall, the drink has minimal caffeine but its caloric and sugar content may be too much for those who are on diets.
For a more detailed look at the caffeine and ingredients of Game Fuel Energy Drink, read below.
Game Fuel Nutrition Facts
First of all, let’s take a quick look at the nutrition facts of Game Fuel so that you know what exactly you’re getting out of it nutritionally:
| Standard Values | Game Fuel (16 fl. oz) |
| Energy | 90 calories |
| Protein | 0g |
| Fat (Of which Saturated) | 0g (0g) |
| Carbohydrate (Of which Sugars) | 24g (23g) |
| Caffeine | 90mg |
| Vitamin A | 180μg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 6.4mg |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) | 1mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.7mg |
How Many Calories Are in Game Fuel?
A regular 16 fl. oz can of Game Fuel will yield you around 90 calories, which is a reasonably small amount.
For reference, an 8.4 fl. oz can of Red Bull has 80 calories, nearly the same amount at half the size, while a 16 fl. oz can of Monster has a staggering 220 calories.
As such, while Game Fuel isn’t going to find itself on the best zero-calorie energy drink list, it’s undoubtedly quite a bit better for you than the more popular fare you can find off the shelf.
Given that you usually need about 2000 to 2500 calories per day (depending on lifestyle choices and other biological factors), a can of Game Fuel isn’t going to put that much of a dent in your diet.
While having one can of Game Fuel may not be much on the calorie content, having multiple cans in a short period does mean that those calories will eventually add up, so try not to have too many cans in one go.
Furthermore, while a can of Game Fuel may give you a pretty quick burst of energy, it’s no substitute for an actual meal from both a caloric and nutritional standpoint.
As such, be sure that you have enough calories to burn if you’re trying to get the most out of Game Fuel, and try not to have too many cans per day if you’re watching your caloric intake.
However, if you’d instead do away with calories entirely, take a look at the article I’ve written on the best zero-calorie energy drinks for some healthier alternatives.
Game Fuel Ingredients
A quick list of Game Fuel’s ingredients, with an in-depth analysis further down the article.
- Carbonated Water
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Citric Acid
- Sodium Phosphates
- Natural Flavor
- L-Theanine
- Sodium Benzoate (Preservative)
- Caffeine (90mg per can)
- Gum Arabic
- Acesulfame Potassium
- Sucralose
- Calcium Disodium EDTA
- Glycerol
- Ester of Rosin
- Niacinamide
- Panax Ginseng Root Extract
- Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Yerba Mate Extract
- Beta Carotene (Vitamin A)
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
Game Fuel Ingredients Analysis
High Fructose Corn Syrup
High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is an artificial sugar and isn’t exactly the healthiest thing you can find in an energy drink.
That said, there are plenty of side effects of having too much HFCS in the long-run, such as weight gain, fatty liver disease, and diabetes.
Fortunately, there isn’t an unsafe amount of HFCS present in a single can of Game Fuel, if you want to keep your health in check.
Citric Acid
Citric Acid is a weak organic acid found in most citrus fruits, such as lemon and orange.
While commonly found in citrus fruits, the citric acid found in Game Fuel is most probably from a synthetic source.
Aside from its sour taste (think of a lemon), citric acid is mainly used as a preservative and pH adjuster. So apart from that, there’s not much to it.
Sodium Phosphates
Sodium Phosphates is an umbrella term for any salts that involve a combination of sodium and phosphate, with one of its uses being for pH balance in canned drinks.
Besides being used as a thickening agent, sodium phosphate helps balance the overall pH level, so this ingredient in Game Fuel ensures that it isn’t too acidic or alkaline.
L-Theanine
L-Theanine is an amino acid most commonly sourced from black or green tea leaves.
This ingredient can help improve cognitive function, such as assisting in memory and thinking skills while relieving stress and anxiety.
It may also induce a state of relaxation, although given that this is in an energy drink and not a calming cup of tea, the effect in Game Fuel might be a tad debatable.
In any case, we don’t exactly know how much L-Theanine is present in Game Fuel, and if it contains an adequate dosage, do take the benefits with a grain of salt.
Gum Arabic
Gum Arabic, or Acacia Gum, is gum sourced from the acacia tree, acting as an easily-dissolvable dietary fiber.
While mainly used as an emulsifying and stabilizing agent for drinks, Gum Arabic also makes you feel fuller than you are, which might help with your overall intake of calories, thus reducing your BMI.
Of course, there’s probably not enough gum Arabic present in Game Fuel to make you feel fuller than usual, but it’s still an exciting ingredient to have.
Calcium Disodium EDTA
A crystalline powder with a slightly salty flavor, Calcium Disodium EDTA is mainly used in drinks as a preservative and flavoring agent.
Given that the upper tolerable intake limit for EDTA is at 1.1 mg per pound (2.5mg per kg), there isn’t too much EDTA present in Game Fuel to cause you any serious problems.
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Ginseng is a natural herb that’s often used in food and remedies. It’s a pretty common ingredient in energy drinks, with some examples being Rockstar, GURU, and REIZE.
Ginseng has a bunch of potential benefits such as:
- Increasing energy
- Sharpening cognitive function
- Anti-inflammatory effects
- Reducing blood sugar
Yerba Mate Extract
Yerba Mate is a plant whose leaves are often used as medicine. They’re most notable for helping to relieve mental and physical fatigue.
Yerba Mate is rich in both antioxidants and nutrients, having potential benefits such as:
- Boost energy and improve mental focus
- Enhance physical performance
- Boost the immune system
- Lower blood sugar levels
It should be noted that yerba mate has a high percentage of caffeine present, which gives it the ability to boost your overall energy.
Game Fuel Caffeine Content
There’s 90mg of caffeine per 16 fl. oz can of Game Fuel, which is a low amount for an energy drink that size.
Considering that the caffeine content in energy drinks can range from around 50 to 300mg per 16 fl. oz, the caffeine present in Game Fuel is pretty mild, similar to a cup of coffee.
For reference, an 8.4 fl. oz can of Red Bull already has 80mg of caffeine, while a 16 fl. oz can of Rockstar or Monster has 160mg of caffeine.
I prefer my energy drinks to have between 50 to 100mg of caffeine per serving, which is just the right amount to give me a nice boost, but not so much that it’s headache-inducing.
Of course, depending on your overall caffeine metabolism and how used you are to caffeine, you might need a bit more to feel the effects of caffeine.
Just be sure not to go too overboard with it, as the FDA approves a caffeine intake limit of no more than 400mg per day. Any more than that might lead to side effects such as:
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Headaches
- Stomachaches
- Dizziness
- Dehydration
- Anxiety
In any case, you’re probably not going to suffer from any caffeine-related side effects with a single can of Game Fuel. As long as you’re not having too many cans a day or have Game Fuel with other caffeinated beverages, you should be alright.
Game Fuel Sugar Content
Each 16 fl. oz can of Game Fuel has 23g of sugar, which is small compared to other sugary energy drinks on the market.
Although not sugar-free, Game Fuel has a lot less sugar than your average energy drink, being lower than a standard 8.4 fl. oz can of Red Bull (which has 27g of sugar)
Given that the AHA recommends a daily sugar limit for both men and women to be 36g and 25g, respectively, a can of Game Fuel is just below the maximum recommended daily limit for women and above half for men.
So, while a can of Game Fuel won’t put you over the limit, two cans definitely will, so be sure to watch how many cans of Game Fuel you have in a day if you want to stay relatively healthy.
While it’s OK to indulge in some sugar occasionally, having too much sugar intake may lead to some notable health issues, such as:
- Weight Gain
- Type II Diabetes
- Increased risk of heart disease
- Acne
- Increased risk of depression
Having too many sugary energy drinks in a short period may also sugar crash, which will make you feel sluggish and lethargic after having too much sugar due to the spike and fall in blood sugar levels.
Of course, as long as you stick with one can and don’t overindulge too often, Game Fuel’s sugar content shouldn’t be all that troubling.
Does Game Fuel Use Artificial Sweeteners?
In addition to sugar, Game Fuel also contains artificial sweeteners, namely, sucralose and acesulfame potassium,
As zero-calorie sweeteners, both sucralose and acesulfame potassium don’t add any additional calories to the energy drink, which is a good thing if you’re someone who watches your caloric intake.
While there may be controversies surrounding the long-term use of artificial sweeteners, the FDA has approved them for general use.
So, as long as you aren’t consuming too many drinks containing artificial sweeteners, having a can of Game Fuel now and then should be perfectly fine.
Game Fuel Vitamin Content
Game Fuel contains a small serving of B-Vitamins and Vitamin A, making it more nutritionally viable.
I’ve compiled the Vitamin content of Game Fuel into the table below, and if you would like more information on B-Vitamins, check out the web portal here.
| Purpose | Game Fuel (16 fl. oz) | Tolerable Upper Intake Level | |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | helps the body release energy | 6.4mg | 35mg |
| Vitamin B6 | store energy from protein and carbohydrates | 1mg | 100mg |
| Vitamin B12 | release energy from food | 0.7µg | – |
| Vitamin A (Beta-Carotene) | supports eye health | 180µg | 3000µg |
Does Game Fuel Work?
With a decent amount of caffeine and sugar, Game Fuel will give you a pretty good boost whenever you have one, although probably not to the extent of the more excessive energy drinks.
While not cranked up on caffeine or having excessive sugar, Game Fuel is an energy drink for those with milder tastes with its lower caffeine and sugar content.
The low caffeine content may also be preferable if you’re a gamer because having too much caffeine may lead to some jitteriness, which can throw you off your game.
All-in-all, whether you’re a hardcore gamer or need something to get you through the post-lunch slump, Game Fuel is a pretty good choice.
And if you’re looking for other gaming energy drinks, have a look at the article I’ve written on the best energy drinks for gaming for some great alternatives.
Is Game Fuel Bad For You?
So long as you’re relatively healthy and know how to moderate your caffeine and sugar intake, having a can of Game Fuel should be reasonably alright.
While Game Fuel In’t the healthiest drink you can have, it’s a pretty mild energy drink.
Just be sure not to have too many cans of it per day to avoid the caffeine and sugar-related side effects of having too many energy drinks.
Game Fuel Alternatives
If you’re looking for other great energy drinks that are similar to Game Fuel, here’s a quick list to get you started:
- Bang
- Red Bull
- Reign
- Rockstar
- 3D Energy
- Celsius
- G Fuel Cans
- C4 Energy
- Full Throttle
- Raze Energy
- AMP Energy
There are also some great powdered options for you to consider as well, which give you the benefit of being able to adjust the servings to your own specific taste:
- Zipfizz
- G Fuel
- Advocare Spark
- REIZE Energy Drink (my personal fave)
REIZE (10 out of 10)
While Game Fuel is a decent choice of energy drink, I find REIZE to be even better.
REIZE is a powdered energy drink in a convenient 4g sachet. It’s utterly sugar-free with a sensible 50mg of caffeine and has just 11 calories per serving.
REIZE also contains an intelligent blend of taurine, ginseng, and B-group vitamins, all of which combine to give you the perfect energy boost for a long gaming session without the sugar crash afterward.
Best of all? REIZE ships straight to your door for only about $1 per drink.
That’s outstanding value for money and a lot more affordable than Game Fuel.
Try REIZE today, and I’m sure you’ll soon agree that it’s a more brilliant choice than Game Fuel.