Short Answer: Yes, Shine Drink is considered a smart drink!
If there ever was a designer energy drink, it’s got to be Shine Drink. With its sleek look bottle, shift in target audience and slogan, it’s an Instagrammer’s dream come true.
But does Shine+ tick the right boxes? And is it really a smart drink?
Shine+ is one of the newest additions to the beverage market. With a self-professed title of ‘Australia’s first smart drink‘ and the shift in focus from the traditional male-orientated energy drink market, Shine+ promises to boost your performance and focus concentration levels (something energy drinks also promise to do).
They are also seeking to differentiate themselves from market leaders, V energy drink.
Shine Drink was founded by Stephen Chapman and Dr Sam Prince in 2015 after a number of studies backing certain ingredients and compounds which enhance brain function. Thus the marketing slogan of Shine+ being Australia’s first smart drink was born.
The drink is also advertised as being ‘Nootropic‘, compounds that enhance mental performance, memory recall or learning capabilities with no negative side effects.
So does Shine Drink differ that much more from a can of Red Bull or Mother Energy Drink? Is there really a difference between this ‘smart drink’ and other energy drinks?
Or is it a case of some smooth marketing?
Let’s take a closer look at Shine+.
Ingredients in Shine Drink
At first glance, the nutritional label above shows us a low fat and sugar content in Shine Drink. The nutritional label focuses on 7 main ingredients and artificial additives such as flavourings.
Now, looking at the entirety of the ingredients, you would be forgiven if you thought you were looking at an energy drink label. That’s because many of the ingredients present in Shine+ do appear in most energy drinks.
Each 110ml bottle of Shine drink contains:
- 18 calories (76 kilojoules)
- 32mg of caffeine
- 4.3 grams of carbohydrates (all from sugar)
- 3.3 grams of sugar
- 58mg of sodium
- 100mg of green tea
- 150mg of ginkgo biloba
- 100mg of turmeric
- 100mg of Siberian ginseng
- 9mg of vitamin B6
- 9ug of vitamin B12
Caffeine
Caffeine also appears in Shine Drink. The difference here is that Shine+ has a substantially smaller portion (less than half) of caffeine present compared to Red Bull’s smallest can, at only 32mg of caffeine.
To put this in perspective the average cup of coffee contains 95mg.
Once we consume caffeine our breathing and heart rate increase, leading us to experience a short burst of physical energy.
This then leads to the feeling of being more awake and can sometimes suppress hunger, a benefit that is emphasized by Shine+ and appeals to its young consumers.
Ultimately, caffeine is a standard feature across all energy drinks.
Ginkgo Biloba
One of the primary active ingredients found in Shine+ is Ginkgo Biloba, which once again, plenty of energy drinks contain, including Vegas’ fan favourite, Rockstar.
There are more than 40 components in ginkgo, 2 of which are primarily used for their commonly recognised health benefits.
These main 2 components are Flavanoids; plant-based antioxidants that can improve heart health and Terpenoids; which dilate blood vessels and can lead to better blood flow.
Studies suggest that ginkgo assists with cognitive functions including thinking, learning and memory. At the same time, however, there have been conflicting studies that have also disapproved of the use of ginkgo as a treatment for diseases like Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
Although ginkgo has had conflicting findings on its effectiveness as an ingredient used to improve/treat cognitive functions, many energy drinks (and Shine+) continue to include it in their makeup.
Curcumin
Sounds similar to Turmeric right? That’s because it’s the main active ingredient in the exotic spice. Giving Turmeric its spice and bright orange colour, curcumin in turn also gives Shine+ its token orange colour.
Commonly associated with its anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin is also a potent antioxidant. This in turn boosts the activity of our body’s own antioxidant enzymes.
Similarly to ginkgo, curcumin is also associated with improving memory and has been linked to lowering the risk of brain diseases.
Once again these associations have only been drawn through preliminary testing and are not conclusive. Another factor that may dampen the effects of curcumin is its poor absorption rate by our bodies.
Although a seemingly healthy inclusion, we probably wouldn’t absorb enough curcumin through the drink alone, to harness the potential benefits.
Siberian Ginseng
Due to its energy-boosting properties, Ginseng is commonly found in most energy drinks. Shine+ uses Siberian ginseng, which is different from other commonly used ginseng species; like Korean and American ginseng.
Ginsenosides, which are found in Siberian Ginseng, regulate the manufacture and secretion of adrenal hormones and strengthen the adrenal glands.
Alongside this, Siberian Ginseng has been found to enhance mental performance, speed up reaction time, improve learning and memory and sharpen vision as well as strengthen hearing.
Although there are extensive benefits associated with the consumption of ginseng as a whole, Siberian Ginseng is NOT recommended for children under 12, women who are breastfeeding or pregnant or anyone who has high blood pressure.
This preventative measure is also recommended by most energy drink companies because of the similar nature of their ingredients.
Vitamin B6 and B12
Most energy drinks come bearing plenty of B vitamin gifts, which is great considering they need to be replenished daily as they are water-soluble vitamins.
Shine Drink contains B6 and B12 vitamins which are both helpful in replenishing such water-soluble vitamins and maintaining mood and reducing fatigue.
Vitamin B6 is necessary for proper brain development and function. It also produces the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, which can improve your mood.
On the other hand, vitamin B12 keeps your nerves and blood cells healthy and is necessary for the optimal functioning of numerous critical body processes.
Green Tea Extract (L Theanine)
Some health benefits that have been associated with green tea extract consumption include improved brain function, fat loss, and lowering the risk of developing multiple diseases.
L Theanine (an amino acid found in green tea leaves) also boosts levels of brain-calming chemicals meaning a regulated mood, increased concentration and alertness.
The amino acid also reduces chemicals in the brain that are linked to stress and anxiety as well as enhances alpha brain waves (these enhance relaxation, focus and creativity).
Preservatives & Flavourings
Preservative 211 found in Shine+, is also known as Sodium Benzoate. It is widely used in acidic foods such as salad dressings, carbonated drinks, jams and fruit juices and condiments.
Similar to the additive just mentioned, food additive 211 is naturally occurring in some berries and dairy products but is produced synthetically for most food and drinks.
Preservative 211 is generally harmless in small quantities, but a worrying study on college students in the US found that sodium benzoate (preservative 211) is linked to increased hyperactivity.
Two additional non-naturally occurring flavourings in Shine+ include Citric Acid and Sodium Citrate.
Although such preservatives and flavours are commonly used within the food industry, the concept of the drink being all-natural may mislead customers into thinking Shine+ does not contain these.
If you’re looking for energy drinks without citric acid, read this article.
Price
A bottle of Shine Drink is 110ml, a pretty small size in comparison to most energy drinks. The drink proves to be on the pricey end of the scale retailing at just under $6 in-store.
Compare this to Mother Energy Drink which is $3.50 for 500ml, V Drink which is $3.60 for 500ml, Red Bull Energy Drink which is $4.55 for 473ml and REIZE Energy Drink which starts from as little as $0.65 for 250ml.
Using its branding, sleek bottle, price and target market differentiation, Shine drink has managed to create a premium product illusion.
Taste
The base ingredient of Shine is de-ionised apple concentrate, which is what gives the drink its 4.5g/110ml sugar content and prominent apple flavour.
No other sugar is added, unlike some energy drinks on the market.
Personally, I don’t think it tastes great, but I don’t like the taste of ginger. I find it way too “bitey”. However, the taste is very personal and there are obviously people who think it tastes nice.
The team at Casa De Karma had a few differing perspectives on the taste of Shine+ and gave some Shine drink reviews.
“I guess in trying to sum it up, I would say it is a bit of a healthy and natural version of Red Bull.” – Carla
“It was pleasantly sweet and I liked the little kick of ginger after each sip.” – Erin
“Other energy drinks that I’ve tried are extremely sweet and chemically tasting, this had none of those characteristics. It tasted more fruity and herbal than chemical.” – Alison
Target Market
Not targeted to your average energy drink audience, you won’t see bright cans or motocross-sponsored events on Shine drink’s website.
For one it’s aimed at active and health-conscious women. This is reflected in the design, bottle size, custom-shaped bottle and active ingredients.
With most of the ingredients promoting improved brain functioning and energy as well as the exclusion of added sugar Shine+ has created a product specifically targeted to health-conscious women.
Traditional energy drink companies often try to sweeten the deal and focus on the taste by adding sugar. This extra sugar effectively reverses any possible health benefits from any beneficial ingredients in the drink, but drinks like Shine+ and REIZE let their ingredients do that talking.
Find out more about the Shine Drink in the video below!
Shine+ Energy Drink Verdict (is it a smart drink?)
The product does fall into the energy drink category, despite their best efforts to stand apart from the likes of Red Bull and V.
Depending on what you’re looking for, it can be a slightly more natural boost compared to other energy drinks on the market. a
Nevertheless, Shine Drink is a great alternative to the big artificial guns leading the energy drink market.
Shine+ detaches the stigma of sugar overload as being necessary for energy drinks and provides a healthier alternative to those seeking it.
Therefore, it can be considered a smart drink after all!
REIZE (10 out of 10)
If you’re looking for an alternative to Shine Drink, REIZE can be a nice fit for you!
It contains 50 mg of caffeine, 11 calories, 0 g sugar, taurine, ginseng, and B vitamins designed for providing you with the energy that you need to sustain your day.
It comes in light 4 g sachets ideal for taking it anywhere. You can make REIZE with water, soda, or tea.
Also, you can have this delicious beverage shipped to your door for as low as $1.
Give REIZE a try today and you might just find that you prefer it to Shine drink.