In brief, Runa Clean Energy is not bad for you as long as it’s consumed in moderation.
Just by looking at its name, you might automatically think that Runa Clean Energy only uses organic ingredients. Well, you’re right as this energy drink is certified USDA organic. Plus, its sugar comes from organic cane and it uses guayusa leaves for its caffeine content.
Its manufacturers made this excellent drink in 2013. And it comes in five flavors, all of which contain 150mg of caffeine and 2g of sugar.
I definitely appreciate that their ingredients are naturally sourced while still delivering a great energy boost. However, its caffeine content and sugar content are slightly above average so you should always moderate your consumption.
In this article I’ll be delving deeper into the contents of Runa and why you should watch your intake!
Let’s dive in.
What is RUNA Made Of?
As I have mentioned earlier, Runa Clean Energy uses Guayusa Tea. You can also get caffeine from guayusa leaves. V
Very few energy drink manufacturers use this as it’s hard to get. That’s why you usually see guarana and ginger extract as caffeine sources in energy drinks.
Because of this, the Runa is also regarded as a tea-type beverage. Very similar to yerba mate, actually.
The difference is, guayusa leaves have lower levels of tannins which imply it has a usually better and smoother taste than yerba mate. This could explain why its makers didn’t add that much sugar to the beverage.
Nevertheless, because it’s also organic, expect to get a whole new caffeine experience. The other main content of Runa Clean Energy is stated in the table in the next section.
Nutrition Facts of Runa Clean Energy
Here are the nutrition facts of Runa Clean Energy:
| Content | Amount |
| Calories | 10 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 10mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 3g |
| Total Sugar | 2g |
| Protein | 0g |
Ingredients of Runa Clean Energy
The list below shows the other compounds in Runa Clean Energy.
- Organic Brewed Guayusa
- Organic Cane Sugar
- Organic Natural Flavors
- Natural Flavors
- Citric Acid
- Malic Acid
Is Runa Energy Drink Good For You?
Runa Clean Energy is good for you in terms of boosting energy levels.
According to their website, guayusa leaves have essential amino acids. These amino acids ensure you’ll get the strength and focus on helping you with your daily tasks.
Amino acids repair body tissue and break down food. It’s also good for your skin, relaxation, and cognitive performance.
Meanwhile, citric acid has anti-bacterial properties and aids in the treatment of kidney stones. This mineral compound also helps with energy metabolism and production.
How Much Caffeine Is in Runa?
Each can of Runa Clean Energy contains 150mg of caffeine. This stimulant is known to increase your wakefulness and alleviate fatigue. However, if you happen to excessively consume caffeine, this might cause adverse effects on your body.
150mg is higher than what I would usually go for. In my opinion, 50-100mg hits just the right spot already, and going beyond that can be dangerous for those with a low tolerance for caffeine.
Remember, what may be just fine for others may cause side effects for you.
Side effects of excessive caffeine intake include anxiety, headaches, increased heart rate, and insomnia.
To be safe, it’s best to follow the FDA‘s recommendation on caffeine intake. Healthy adults should only take up to 400mg of caffeine a day to avoid side effects.
How Much Sugar is in Runa Clean Energy?
Each can of Runa contains 2g of cane sugar.
Compared to white sugar, organic cane sugar isn’t as processed and retains the raw sugar flavor. It also has a lot of health benefits such as antioxidant properties, aiding in the treatment of urinary issues, and it’s loaded with vitamins and polyphenols.
It’s also high in soluble fiber, which can help you shed some pounds.
However, despite these benefits, cane sugar is the same as any other added sugar in an energy drink. While 2g isn’t really that substantial, if you’re diabetic or aiming to lose weight, you might find other sugar-free brands more suitable to your needs.
For reference, the American Heart Association recommends no more than 24g of sugar for women and 36g of sugar for men.
But if you’re healthy and regularly work out, I don’t see why you can’t incorporate Runa into your diet! The cane sugar complements the beverage well and in my opinion, is more distinctly sweet than regular sugar.
Is Runa Clean Energy Bad For You?
With the level of attention devoted to Runa’s ingredients, I’d say that the beverage really did its best to appeal to those who are pursuing a healthy lifestyle.
However, like with any energy drink, consuming copious amounts can cause side effects. The primary concern for me would be the caffeine content. Although it is naturally sourced and lessens the risk of jitters and other pesky side effects, it’s still better to err on the side of caution.
It also has added sugars, but not that much. I think you can easily burn off the 2 grams, but if you’re really watching your weight, might be best to avoid Runa.
All in all, whether or not Runa may be bad for you really largely depends on how responsible you are in taking it.
Where Can You Buy Runa?
You won’t experience difficulty in purchasing Runa Clean Energy. It’s available on many online platforms like Walmart and Amazon.
In my opinion, it can be pretty pricey though. A pack of 12 cans costs about $46, which means each can cost around $3.80. If your budget is not an issue, you should definitely try this energy drink.
But if you are on the lookout for something more wallet-friendly, check out my list here.
Alternative Energy Drinks to Runa
Here are other energy drinks you can try. Watch out for my personal favorite!
Musashi Energy
Just like Runa Clean Energy, Mushashi Energy is also carbonated. It has three flavors, which all taste great. The unique thing about its taste is that the aftertaste is much sweeter than when you’re actually drinking it!
I’m not too fond of this beverage because it costs $4 per can. I understand that it’s packed with 160mg of caffeine, Beta-Alanine, and B-Vitamins, but it’s too expensive for me.
But if budget is not a problem, Musashi is definitely a must-try!
Celsius Energy Drink
Celsius has 200mg of caffeine from ginseng and guarana extract. Aside from that, it’s also packed with taurine and amino acids such as L-Citrulline and Nitric Oxide. All of these can boost and relax your arteries, enhancing better blood flow.
You can buy a set of 12 for only $20.96. This makes it a cheaper alternative than Runa Clean Energy that’s only priced at $1.70.
The only thing I don’t like about this drink is that it has high caffeine content. Therefore, if you’re a caffeine-sensitive person, you might want to stick with energy drinks that have lower caffeine.
REIZE (My Bet)
If you want to try the Runa Clean Energy Lime Flavor for a better taste and more bang for your buck, you can go with REIZE.
This energy drink has many more beneficial nutrients such as B Vitamins, taurine, and inositol. While this doesn’t use guayusa leaf, it still uses ginseng extract’s organic caffeine. What’s more appealing is that it only has 50mg of caffeine and 11 calories.
Its moderate caffeine content keeps me bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for hours without causing any side effects. Plus, it also comes in very handy 4g sachets that you can take with you anywhere! Whip up a fresh and fizzy glass of REIZE any time you want.
You can get REIZE for only around $1 and you can even have your orders shipped straight to your door.
Try REIZE now and see for yourself how it’s one of a kind!
Other Notable Mentions
The Bottom Line
Runa Clean Energy isn’t bad for you, but you do need to moderate your intake!
Overall, its ingredients are all organic and suitable for various lifestyles plus it also has a very unique unsweetened tea taste that can be very refreshing.
I’d recommend only having 1 can of Runa a day since 150mg is higher than what I usually drink. It also has added sugars, although you can easily burn that off.
So with that in mind, don’t hesitate to try Runa Clean Energy and see what it has to offer you!