I never really thought much about the whole “Mountain Dew and Doritos” meme that’s been running around for a while, but here we are with Mountain Dew Game Fuel, an energy drink marketed to gamers.
If you’ve clicked on this article, you’re probably wondering if you can drink Game Fuel every day and if they’re any benefits or side effects from doing so.
To cut the chase, you can actually have one can of Game Fuel every day. While there isn’t a lot of sugar or caffeine in Game Fuel to worry about, it’s still a good idea to only have it in moderation.
For a more detailed answer, including a look at the ingredients of Game Fuel and how many you can actually have in a day, read on.
What is Game Fuel?
“Game Fuel”, or Mountain Dew Game Fuel, is an energy drink created by the same guys who made (you guessed it) Mountain Dew.
As suggested by its name, Game Fuel is marketed towards gamers looking for a quick boost for a long gaming session. It features sugar and caffeine, and a host of other beneficial ingredients to keep you going.
But the most notable thing about Game Fuel might be the can itself, which features a resealable lid that prevents any accidental spills, as well as a specially-textured can, which provides a more tactile grip.
Is Game Fuel the same as G Fuel?
Game Fuel and G Fuel are two entirely different products, with differences in both formula and packaging. G Fuel is most famous for its powdered energy drink range, but also comes in cans, while Game Fuel comes in a regular, ready-to-drink can.
As both G Fuel and Game Fuel are marketed towards gamers, they’re often mistaken for one another. I guess the names are quite similar, so I can see how people get them confused.
The major differences are that G Fuel usually comes in powder form, as well as being sugar-free with more caffeine.
Anyways, let’s move on and dive further into Game Fuel and its nutrition information.
Game Fuel Nutrition Facts
| Typical Values | Per 16 fl.oz can of Game Fuel |
| Energy | 90 Calories |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Carbohydrates (Total Sugars) (incl. Added Sugars) | 24g (23g) (20g) |
| Caffeine | 90mg |
| Protein | 0g |
| Vitamin A | 180µg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 6.4mg |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) | 2.0mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.7mg |
How Many Calories Are In Game Fuel?
Every 16 fl.oz can of Game Fuel contains 90 calories.
For reference, a 16 fl.oz can of Red Bull has 223 calories, while the same volume of Monster Energy Drink has 226 calories.
Game Fuel doesn’t actually have a lot of calories, although it’s sugar content means it can’t quite compete with low or zero-calorie sugar-free energy drinks such as Celsius or REIZE.
Still, not all calories are bad, and if you’re someone who needs a bit of a caloric pick-me-up in their diet, then Game Fuel might be right up your alley.
For reference, the recommended daily calorific limit for healthy young adults ranges from 2000 to 2400 calories for women and 2400 to 3000 calories for men.
While a can of Game Fuel may have a low-calorie count by itself, a few cans will eventually add up, so you probably shouldn’t overindulge in Game Fuel.
Game Fuel Ingredients
Here’s a quick list of Game Fuel’s ingredients, with the more interesting ones being discussed in further detail below:
- Carbonated Water
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Citric Acid
- Sodium Phosphates
- Natural Flavor
- L-Theanine
- Sodium Benzoate
- Caffeine (90mg per can)
- Gum Arabic
- Acesulfame Potassium
- Sucralose
- Calcium Disodium Edta
- Glycerol
- Ester of Rosin
- Niacinamide
- Panax Ginseng Root Extract
- Calcium Pantothenate
- Yerba Mate Extract
- Beta Carotene
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
Game Fuel Sugar Content
There’s 23g of sugar in each 16 fl.oz can of Game Fuel.
Too much sugar can definitely be bad for you, but a little might give you a bit of a mood lift, as it activates dopamine receptors in your brain. Not to mention, it’s kind of hard to stay away from sweet things.
However, you should always keep in mind that according to the AHA, the daily sugar limit for both men and women should be capped at 25g and 36g respectively.
With 23g of sugar, a can of Game Fuel is just below the recommended daily limit for women and above half for men.
So while one can of Game Fuel won’t put you over the limit, two cans definitely will.
While it’s fine to go over the limit every now and then, having too much sugar consistently can lead to some nasty health problems, such as:
- Weight Gain
- Type II Diabetes
- Increased risk of heart disease
- Acne
- Increased risk of depression
In the short-term, having too many sugary energy drinks in a short-period will probably lead to a sugar crash, which will make you feel sluggish and lethargic after having too much sugar.
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.
If you don’t want risk the sugar, I’ve got an article detailing all you need about the best energy drinks without sugar crashes, so feel free to check that one out.
Are There Artificial Sweeteners in Game Fuel?
In addition to regular sugar, Game Fuel also contains two zero calorie sweeteners: Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium.
Being 200 to 700 times sweeter than sugar itself, the artificial sweeteners in Game Fuel are present to help compensate for Game Fuel’s lower sugar value.
Both Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium doesn’t contain any calories and hence don’t add anything to the total caloric count, which is a great plus for you if you’re someone who keeps track of their daily calories.
However, we still don’t know everything there is about artificial sweeteners and how exactly they affect the body in the long-run, so take that lower calorie count with a grain of salt.
Game Fuel Caffeine Content
There’s 90mg of caffeine per 16 fl.oz can of Game Fuel, which is only around half of what most energy drinks with the same volume of liquid contain.
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 actually very mild, not unlike your standard cup of coffee.
I personally prefer to have between 50 to 100mg of caffeine per serving, which is just the right amount to give me the necessary boost, but not too much that I get overwhelmed by the effects.
Game Fuel slides right into that sweet spot of having just the right amount of caffeine to combat that late-afternoon slump in my opinion.
As a reminder, 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
Based on the FDA’s limit, you’re probably safe from experiencing the effects of a caffeine overdose unless you drink up to 5 cans of Game Fuel, although at that point, I’d be more worried about the sugar than the caffeine.
As always, your caffeine metabolism determines how much of any energy drink you can handle before you start to experience side effects, so I would advise you to know your limits and adjust accordingly.
Other Ingredients
Panax Ginseng Extract in Game Fuel has a wide variety of benefits that complement an energy drink such as improving memory and thinking skills amongst other things.
However, we don’t quite know how much Panax ginseng extract is actually present in Game Fuel, so its effects might not be too significant.
The presence of vitamins in Game Fuel is also lower than average, with only somewhere between 20 to 40% of the daily value.
Many other energy drinks can contain up to 250% the daily value, and even then, it’s hard to really reach the upper limit where vitamins might start having a negative effect on you.
One brand that comes to mind actually has a ridiculous 41,667% of the daily value of vitamin B12.
How does Game Fuel Affect My Health?
Game Fuel provides a much smaller dosage of sugar and caffeine than most energy drinks. It’s akin to a soda with a few extra bells and whistles thrown in for good measure.
Being marketed towards gamers, Game Fuel is pitched squarly at gamers that require more mental concentration and focus over a long period of time.
Although Game Fuel has a lower-than-average sugar and caffeine content, it’s not a drink that’s meant to be downed in one swig, but something to keep you going during a marathon session, be it gaming or work.
The calories and caffeine in Game Fuel do gradually sneak up on you over the course of multiple cans, and if you’re a heavy caffeine drinker and you don’t notice the effects right away, that may lead to an overdose in extreme cases.
As I’ve mentioned previously, too much sugar and caffeine in your diet is bad for you, so try and ration and rationalize your energy drink habits before you wind up with any issues.
I also wouldn’t recommend this product for you if you have any pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure because although the sugar is low, it’s still sugar nonetheless.
If you’re still not too sure about adding Game Fuel to your diet, consult a health specialist for the best advice.
How Many Cans of Game Fuel Can I Have A Day?
| 16 fl.oz of Game Fuel | Daily Max Limit (Female/Male) | |
| Calories | 90 calories | 2400 calories/3000 calories |
| Sugar | 23g | 25g /36g |
| Caffeine | 90mg | 400mg |
I personally recommend that you only have a maximum of one can of Game Fuel per day, and two on the rare occasion that you really need that extra boost.
As stated above, one can of Game Fuel is well within your daily recommended limits. Even two cans can still roughly match the caffeine and sugar content of a single can from most other companies.
Still, if you’re someone who’s mindful of your health, it’s probably best to stick to just one can when you need it, as Game Fuel’s effects might weaken over time if you have it constantly.
For a general idea on if you can or should drink energy drinks every day, take a look at this short video below:
Game Fuel Flavors
Game Fuel comes in a variety of flavors, some of their most notable ones are:
- Cherry Burst
- Berry Blast
- Original Dew
- Tropical Strike
- Orange Storm
Game Fuel also comes in a zero-calorie sugar-free option, with those flavors being Raspberry Lemonade and Watermelon Shock.
Game Fuel Energy Drink Alternatives
If you’re looking for other lower-caffeine energy drinks such as Game Fuel, here are some options you might enjoy.
REIZE (10 out of 10)
Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or someone who just games occasionally, REIZE is the best energy drink for gamers in my opinion.
REIZE is a powdered energy drink that comes in a convenient 4g sachet. With a sensible 50mg of caffeine, it’s completely sugar-free and has only 11 calories per serving.
REIZE also contains a smart 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.
REIZE ships straight to your door for only about $1 per drink.
That’s outstanding value for money, and much more affordable than Game Fuel.
Try REIZE today and I’m sure you’ll soon agree with me that it’s a smarter choice than Game Fuel.