Short Answer: Yes, C4 Energy is vegan.
In 2018, C4 On-The-Go carbonated energy drink became the newest addition to the long-running Cellucor brand. The brand is the creation of Nutrabolt, a life science company, that extended its business from pre-workout supplements to energy drinks.
Made from a similar formula as C4 Original, C4 On-The-Go presents you with a powerful blend to energize your active lifestyle, be it during physical training, studying, driving, or for anything else in your regular routine.
But if veganism is your way of life, you’ll want to know whether C4 is vegan-friendly or not before you even think about grabbing a can for yourself.
Let’s find out!
What Are The Ingredients In C4 Energy Drinks?
C4 “Original” Carbonated
Every 16 fl. oz C4 energy drink contains:
- 0 calories
- 1g total carbohydrates
- 0g total sugar
- 250mcg folic acid
- 85mg potassium
- 6mcg vitamin B12
- 500mcg vitamin B6
- 30mg niacin
The drink contains 5mg of “Explosive Energy Blend” that has:
- Beta-alanine
- Arginine nitrate (NO3-T)
- 200mg caffeine
- N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
The drink also has trace amounts of these ingredients:
- L-Tartaric acid
- Natural flavours
- Artificial flavours
- Sucralose
- Acesulfame potassium
- FD&C Red #40
Flavors of C4 “Original” Carbonated
- Sour Batch Bros
- Cotton Candy
- Midnight Cherry
- Orange Slice
- Purple Frost
- Strawberry Watermelon Ice
- Frozen Bombsicle
- Twisted Limeade
- Tropical Blast
- Cherry Limeade
C4 “Smart Energy” Carbonated
One 16 fl. oz serving has:
- 200mg caffeine
- 0 Calories
- 0g total fat
- 0g total carbohydrate
- 0g total sugar
- 0g protein
- 0mg sodium
- 30mg niacin
- 6mcg vitamin B12
Other ingredients that you’ll find in this drink include:
- Carbonated water
- Malic acid
- Citric acid
- Cognizin citicoline
- Potassium benzoate
- Sucralose
- InnovaTea green tea leaf extract
- Acesulfame potassium
- Natural flavours
- N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
- Sodium citrate
The drink does not contain sugar, artificial colors, or dyes.
Flavors
- Freedom Ice
- Electric Sour
- Cotton Candy
- Peach Mango Nectar
C4 “Ultimate” Carbonated
One 16 fl. oz can contain:
- 0 calories
- 0g total carbohydrates
- 0g total sugars
- 1g taurine
- 500mcg folic acid
- 110mg potassium
- 70mcg vitamin B12
- 1mg vitamin B6
- 60mg niacin
- 3.2g CarnoSyn Beta-Alanine
- 2g Betapower Betaine Anhydrous
- 6g Citrulline malate
- 1g Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate
The drink contains 708mg of C4 Ultimate Energy & Focus Blend that is made of:
- N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
- 300mg caffeine anhydrous
- Alphasize A-GPC (Alpha-Glyceryl Phosphoryl Choline)
- Zembrin (Sceletium Tortuosum) Aerial parts extract
- Rauwoflia Vomitoria root extract
- Huperzine A (from Toothed Clubmoss/Huperzia Serrata Aerial parts extract)
There are also trace amounts of:
- Potassium sorbate
- Natural flavours
- Artificial flavours
- Sucralose (sweetener)
- Acesulfame potassium (sweetener)
- FD&C Yellow #6 (coloring)
Flavors
- Sparkling Arctic Snow Cone
- Sour Batch Bros
- Sparkling Tropical Blast
C4 “Energy Natural Zero” Carbonated
A 12 fl. oz drink contains:
- 0 calories
- 120mg of natural caffeine from CoffeeBerry
- 0g total carbohydrates
- 0g total sugars
- 0g total fat
- 0g protein
- 250mg cognizin citicoline
- 1g taurine
- 0.5g tyrosine
It also contains trace amounts of:
- Natural flavours
- Malic acid
- Citric acid
- Stevia leaf extract
- Coffeeberry Energy fruit extract
Flavors
- Cherry Lime
- Strawberry Coconut
- Blueberry Lemonade
How Much Caffeine Is In C4 Energy Drink?
C4 Energy contains caffeine that ranges from 120 to 300mg depending on the flavor.
Personally, I think that any energy drink that has between 200mg to 300mg of caffeine per serving is going to potentially trigger some side effects.
After all, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tells us that the maximum recommended daily caffeine intake for an average healthy adult should not exceed 400mg on any given day.
This requires you to take into account all of your other caffeine sources and not just your energy drinks. For example, this includes things like chocolate, tea, sodas, protein bars, and many more products that contain caffeine.
Be very careful about not exceeding the daily caffeine limit set by the FDA whenever you decide to drink C4, as you might encounter some of these health risks:
- muscle tremors
- cardiovascular disease
- heartburn
- osteoporosis
- hypertension
- slower fetal growth in pregnancy
- miscarriage
- death (very rare)
Since most C4 energy drinks have relatively high caffeine content, they may not be suitable for you if you have any sensitivity to caffeine.
You’ll know that this may apply to you if you experience any of the following symptoms when you consume caffeine:
- racing heartbeat
- headache
- jitters
- nervousness or anxiousness
- restlessness
- insomnia
- increase in urination
- upset stomach
- intensed adrenaline rush
Is There Sugar In C4 Energy Drink?
C4 Energy Drinks are completely sugar-free.
C4 is sweetened by low-calorie sugar substitutes, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium (also known as Ace-K).
Compared to sugar, these artificial sweeteners are kinder to your health, although they may pose health risks of their own.
Sucralose
Sucralose is said to be 600 times sweeter than sugar. It may increase your risk of contracting these health issues:
- High blood glucose and insulin levels
- Leukemia
- Cancer
The recommended acceptable daily intake (ADI) for sucralose is 5mg per kg of body weight.
Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K)
Ace-K is 200 times sweeter than sugar.
Some research findings claim that Ace-K has the potential to cause these health problems:
- Cancer
- Impacts the development of a baby during pregnancy
But there hasn’t been sufficient evidence to conclusively decide on this matter so far.
The ADI limit for Ace-K is 15mg per kg of body weight.
Both sucralose and Ace-K have already undergone rigorous safety evaluations and have been approved for use by many regulatory bodies across the globe such as the FDA, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).
As long as you are drinking C4 moderately and not exceeding the ADI as advised by the FDA, there shouldn’t be any issues from its sucralose or Ace-K content as it won’t be that significant a quantity of either.
Are C4 Energy Drinks Vegan?
Yes, C4 energy drinks are vegan.
That’s based on information available from the brand’s official website. But you might need more assurance on the matter.
So, here’s a breakdown of the major ingredients in C4 energy drinks for you to analyze how vegan C4 truly is.
| Ingredients | Purpose | Commercial Source | Is it vegan? |
| Arginine nitrate | Improves blood flow | Usually from vegetables. | Typically Yes. |
| Folic acid | Helps in metabolism and the forming of red blood cells. | Typically fungal or synthetic, but can also be derived from animals or vegetables. | Possibly Not |
| L-Tartaric Acid | Flavouring, acidifier. | Vegetable | Yes |
| Malic Acid | Flavouring, preservative. | Mostly synthetic. | Yes |
| Citric Acid | Enhances concentration, improves memory, and aids learning. | Typically fungal or synthetic, but it can also be derived from animals or vegetables. | Yes |
| N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine | Prevention of yeast and mold. | Animals or plants. | Possibly Not. |
| Potassium sorbate | Prevention of yeast and mould. | Synthetic (from minerals). | Yes |
| Acesulfame K | Artificial sweetener. | Synthetic | Yes |
| Vitamin B12 | Aids the formation of red blood cells, and ensures the health of the nervous system. | Synthetic, bacterial or fungal. | Yes |
| Niacin | Supports nervous system functions. | Synthetic | Yes |
While a majority of the substances I’ve listed above can be assumed as vegan, please note that there are some which may be a little ambiguous.
So, unless you were to clarify with the manufacturer for yourself, you won’t be able to be 100% certain of the vegan status of C4 energy drinks since they don’t come with any certification.
If you’re in doubt, then perhaps consider some of the alternatives to C4 energy drinks that I suggest towards the end of this post.
Is C4 Starburst Energy Drink Vegan?
Not all Starburst Energy drinks are vegan.
The Strawberry and Zero Sugar flavor isn’t as it contains ingredients that may not be vegan.
Therefore, it is best to check with the manufacturer before consuming the C4 Starburst Energy drink.
Are C4 Energy Drinks Suitable For A Keto Diet?
Yes, C4 is suitable for a keto diet.
All C4 energy drinks are sugar-free. In place of sugar, these drinks contain artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame K.
With low-calorie and zero-sugar to its name, the C4 energy drinks will keep you in your ideal ketosis state as long as you want.
Even if you’re not a keto-practitioner yourself, you can also indulge in this calorie-free beverage as it’s a much better choice than many other sugar-filled brands that come with an elevated risk of health concerns like Type 2 diabetes, skin aging, heart disease, and more.
Are C4 Energy Drinks Gluten-Free?
Yes, C4 energy drinks are gluten-free, according to a response from a rep of Nutrabolt on the brand’s official Amazon page.
Do a quick check on the ingredients list for C4 and you’ll see no wheat or grains like rye and barley included there.
If you’re someone who’s practicing a gluten-free diet, C4 energy drinks are perfectly fine for you.
But while gluten isn’t an active ingredient in the beverage, the company did point out that there is a chance that trace amounts of gluten may be in the product.
They usually say this because the product might have been manufactured on the same equipment that handles other products that are gluten-based.
That said, make it a habit to check with your energy drink manufacturer to confirm the status of their ingredients.
Does A Vegan Diet Affect Your Gym Results?
A vegan diet doesn’t affect your gym results as long as you still get your necessary protein supply.
Some people may say that animal proteins like red meat, chicken, fish, and eggs are essential to build and maintain muscle mass in your body. But I’m here to tell you that it’s a misconception that exists in the gym community which needs to be debunked.
Vegans are fully capable of body-building by using adequate amounts of plant protein to ensure they meet their daily nutritional requirements.
In fact, here are some high-protein plant-based foods that can be consumed for this purpose:
- Lentils and beans (e.g. kidney beans, lima beans, black beans)
- Tempeh, tofu, edamame, and soy products
- Seeds (e.g. chia seeds, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds)
- Whole grains (e.g. rice, barley, quinoa, oats)
- Nuts (e.g. almonds, pistachios, cashews)
With that in mind, here are some delicious pre-workout vegan snacks you can consider having:
- Cup of soy milk/ soy yogurt
- Low-fat muesli with soy or coconut yogurt
- Bananas, mango, or grapes
- Banana ice cream is made from blended frozen banana and plant milk
- Cooked sweet potato/ potato
- Overnight oats made from almond or soy milk
- Jacket potato
- Fruit smoothie made from soy milk
- 1 or 2 slices of whole-grain or sourdough toast
- Salad and soy cheese sandwich
And if you’re the kind that likes to make your own snacks, you can check out these recipes:
- Hulk Smoothie Bowl
- Creamy Zucchini Blueberry Smoothie
- Chocolate Banana Trifle
- Superfood Granola Bars
- Apple Almond Butter Snack
Loading up on carbs and some protein will do wonders for your energy levels before a gym workout. So munch on these snacks around 30 to 60 minutes before your workout.
Also, here’s a big shocker:
Research has proven that observing a vegan diet can actually enhance your fitness results and aid your recovery time.
This is due to the high content of antioxidants from your vegan diet that will reduce inflammation in the body much quicker compared to if you were on a non-vegan diet.
Isn’t it great to know that your dietary choices are going to help in healing your achy muscles after an intense workout session at the gym?
On top of that, as a vegan, your body has enough energy stocked in it to last your whole session as plant-based foods are high in carbs, which when consumed, will turn into glycogen.
There’s really no need to get discouraged thinking your veganism will get in the way of you gaining that much-coveted six-pack. It most certainly won’t.
There are pros out there who have done it, and so can you.
Are C4 Energy Drinks Harmful To Your Health?
C4 energy drinks aren’t harmful as long as they are consumed in moderation.
The ingredients in C4 are no worse for you than most other energy drinks, and C4 might actually be much healthier than many of the alternative brands out there.
However, whenever you see any unfamiliar ingredients in your C4 energy drink (or any processed food or drink, for that matter) you’re doing yourself a big favor by taking the trouble to find out what it’s in there for and how it might impact your health.
Always read the nutrition information label to understand what you’re putting in your body.
Do C4 Energy Drinks Burn Fat?
Drinking C4 energy drinks alone won’t help you burn fat.
It’s a myth that any energy drink might help you burn fat simply by drinking them. But I don’t blame anyone for getting the wrong idea from the many misleading marketing campaigns that are going around nowadays.
In fact, some brands make this messaging a core part of their advertising.
Do your own research and you’ll realize that relying on energy drinks alone to burn fat without any exercise or balanced meal plan factored in will get you nowhere near your ideal body weight.
Once you’ve got your body pumped up after consuming an energy drink, you’ll need an output to convert the energy into a fat-burning mechanism before it will do you any good. A good 30 to 45-minute session in the gym will usually do the trick.
According to Columbia University, the caffeine you consume may boost metabolism by less than 100 calories per day. So it’s worthwhile having a can of energy drink before your workout to get a little more out of your exercise, but without the exercise, it’s going to do very little for you.
Just remember to always stick to the maximum daily recommended caffeine intake as advised by the FDA which says to limit caffeine to 400mg per day.
Keep this in mind as drinking multiple servings of energy drinks within the same day can potentially cause you to go over that limit and may become a threat to your health.
Alternatives To C4 Energy Drinks
You’ll never run out of options when it comes to finding an energy drink to suit your needs because there are so many out there in the market. Here are some ready-to-drink varieties that you might like to consider:
Not all of them are vegan though, so choose carefully.
If you love exploring something beyond the ordinary, you can try other caffeinated products like Make it Mio by Kraft or Vivarin caffeine pills. These products provide you with a caffeine boost minus any added sugars or unnecessary additives.
Powder-based energy drinks are also gaining popularity these days. And it’s easy to see why. These kinds of energy drinks give you more versatility and convenience, especially when you’re on the go.
Here are some you can try:
- Gfuel
- Zipfizz
- Advocare Spark
- REIZE (my personal favorite)
REIZE Energy Drink (10 out of 10)
With a sensible 50mg of caffeine, REIZE gives you the option of enjoying a light and refreshing energy boost wherever you are and in whatever way you like.
Simply add a 4g sachet of REIZE to water, juice, tea, or soda and you’ll have a fresh energy drink ready in seconds.
Besides being sugar-free, REIZE also offers you tons of great nourishing ingredients like taurine, B vitamins, and ginseng.
As a vegan, you won’t have to worry either because there are no animal-based ingredients used in REIZE.
REIZE is vegan-friendly.
For just $1 per drink, you can have REIZE shipped right to your doorstep, that’s including shipping.
REIZE is incredibly good value for money.
Give REIZE a shot today and you’ll see why it’s a great choice for everyone, including vegans.