Do you love energy drinks but feel skeptical about the chemicals and synthetic ingredients inside it? Are you opting for healthier alternatives for energy drinks?
With more and more people getting savvier with the food and drinks that they put in their body, it is no surprise that there are new energy drink brands in the market catering to that specific preference.
There’s been a long-standing debate on whether energy drinks are actually healthy. However, there are, in fact, a few energy drinks that are healthy and won’t make you feel incredibly jittery or cause your heart to pound. Organic energy drinks could be some of the healthier choices of energy drinks available.
If you’re interested in the best all-natural energy drinks, I’ve covered that in a previous article, which might interest you. Otherwise, read on to find out about the 10 best organic energy drinks.
What Is An Organic Energy Drink?
Organic Energy Drinks are a sub-branch of energy drinks that promote and advertise themselves as clean and healthy. They should be free from any pesticides and chemical/synthetic ingredients.
Moreover, the sugar used in the energy drink must be from a natural source, the agents used for caffeine must be natural as well; more specifically, tea or guarana. They may also use natural no-calorie sweeteners.
Also, another distinguishing feature of organic energy drinks is that they are flavored with real fruit juices instead of artificial flavors.
How Do You Pick An Organic Energy Drink?
There are 4 ways for you in choosing an energy drink that is clean and organic:
Sugar Content
Ideally, if you’re health-conscious, you should go for an energy drink with zero sugar. However, if you’d like some sugar, it should be limited to less than 10g per 8 fl.oz serving. If the sugar content is higher than that, then you could drink it before exercising.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the limit of consuming added sugars are:
| Men | 150 calories / day | 37.5g or 9 tsp. |
| Women | 100 calories / day | 25g or 6 tsp. |
Always consume sugars in moderation. You don’t want to get addicted to them, as too much sugar will lead to the following:
Short-Term Effects:
- Low Energy Levels (Sugar Crash)
- Low Mood
- Fatigue
- Bloating
Long-Term Effects:
- Acne
- Weight Gain / Obesity
- Type 2 Diabetes
- High-Blood Pressure
- Accelerate Skin Aging Process
- Fatty Liver
- Cavities
- Increased Risk of Cancer
If you’re looking for energy drinks with less sugar, check out the article I’ve written on that very topic. I’m sure you’ll find an energy drink that suits your fancy.
Vitamins That Give Energy
Energy Drinks are mostly fortified with vitamins and antioxidants. Although B vitamins are essential for converting food into energy, they’re not going to give you much energy.
Most companies put a lot of B vitamins in their energy drinks because they are needed for our body to be broken down and used for energy. That said, more B vitamins don’t necessarily make your body improve.
Adaptogens
Some energy drinks incorporate certain antioxidants, minerals, and adaptogens to reduce muscle soreness and improve focus and cognitive function.
However, take the benefits of these health boosters with a pinch of salt as most energy drinks have low amounts and contain levels that are so low, that you won’t benefit from their effects.
Caffeine
For a normal healthy adult, the daily caffeine threshold as recommended by the FDA is 400mg. Anything more than that and you may experience the following:
- Severe Headaches
- Anxiousness / Irritability
- Frequent Urination
- Increased Heartbeat
- Insomnia
- Muscle Spasms
Always be sure that you stay below the caffeine limits. Do note that while the proposed caffeine limit is 400 mg, your mileage may vary depending on a whole host of factors.
This difference may be due to how we metabolize caffeine at different rates. If you have a slower metabolism rate, you’ll feel the full effects of caffeine even though you’ve only taken a few sips.
As such, be aware of your own personal tolerances; while caffeine can definitely be beneficial to you, you can certainly have too much of a good thing.
Benefits of Organic Energy Drinks
While organic energy drinks are relatively new in the market, they carry their own positives that come with them. They carry a myriad of pros which I’d like to elaborate on further below:
Clean Energy
Organic Energy Drinks should not contain any artificial ingredients. They should also be free from pesticides and chemical residues.
They utilize organic caffeine from tea or other natural ingredients. These energy drinks also use natural colors and flavorings instead of the usual synthetic food colorings.
Immune System Support
One of the best benefits of consuming organic energy drinks with a great choice of healthy nutrients and antioxidants is the effects of a boosted immune system. Antioxidants help prevent the damaging effects caused by free radicals, plus you can reap the benefits of beneficial vitamins like A, C, and E.
Fewer Calories
Organic energy drinks are also great because they have a very low-calorie count. Some of the more popular and mainstream energy drinks on the market usually contain over 200 calories in a single serving.
A high caloric diet may lead to obesity, which in turn increases your risk of numerous chronic diseases. If you’re looking for energy drinks with zero calories, check out this article for some recommendations.
Sustained Vitality
The best organic energy drinks are usually not loaded with sugar and artificial additives, so you won’t have the tremors, jitters, or the horrible sugar or caffeine crash when the effects start to wear down.
With clean and healthy energy drinks, you’ll experience an increase in liveliness and long-lasting energy throughout the day.
Mood-Boosting Effects
The caffeine that comes from natural sources, like tea, has been proven to improve different aspects of cognitive function. These include reaction time, memory, and mood. Moreover, caffeine isn’t the only thing that can boost your mood in these organic energy drinks.
Some of them contain L-theanine, a naturally occurring antioxidant, which increases the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. This antioxidant has natural tension-easing effects and can help support a relaxed state of mind.
Should You Opt For Organic Energy Drinks?
If you’re looking for healthier and cleaner options in energy drinks, I think that you should definitely go and try one for yourself.
They have a better choice of ingredients, so if the brand’s values and mission align with yours then I see no problem.
Best Organic Energy Drinks
Below is a list of some of the best organic energy drinks that can keep you alert and focused. Personally, I think these are great energy drinks that pack a punch.
GURU
The first energy drink to market itself as all-natural, GURU has been a staple in the niche market of organic energy drinks.
Their energy drinks come in a 12 fl. oz can and has an average calorie count of 120. They come in 6 different flavors for you to choose from:
- Original Guru
- Guru Lite
- Green Tea Honey-Lemon Guru
- Superfruit Guru
- Lemonade Guru
- Tangerine Guru
GURU energy drink has 97mg of caffeine, which is on the lighter side of the spectrum, perfect if you are sensitive to caffeine.
GURU energy drinks can be found in your local convenience stores, big-box supermarkets, and various online stores. They have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of about $2 per can.
CELSIUS
Developed and launched in 2005, CELSIUS has been a long standing brand in the niche of organic energy drinks.
Their energy drinks come in a 12 fl.oz can and has an average calorie count of 10. A great choice for anyone who counts their calories.
They come in a myriad of choices for you to decide:
CELSIUS Live Fit
- Sparkling Cola
- Raspberry Acai Green Tea
- Peach Mango
- Grapefruit Melon
- Strawberry Guava
- Peach Vibe
- Fuji Apple Pear
- Sparkling Orange
- Kiwi Guava
- Wild Berry
- Sparkling Watermelon
- Sparkling Grape Rush
CELSIUS Heat
- Blueberry Pomegranate
- Jackfruit
- Cherry Lime
- Inferno Punch
- Strawberry Dragonfruit
- Orangesicle
CELSIUS BCAA
- Tropical Twist
- Tart Cherry Lime
- Blood Orange Lemonade
CELSIUS Stevia
- Watermelon Berry
- Sparkling Orange Pomegranate
- Sparkling Grapefruit
- Sparkling Cucumber Lime
CELSIUS On-The-Go
- Berry
- Cranberry Lemon
- Dragonfruit Lime
- Coconut
- Orange
CELSIUS energy drink has an average caffeine content of 200mg. That is more in the middle range of the spectrum, which is perfect for people who have an average tolerance to caffeine
CELSIUS energy drink can be found in your local convenience stores, big-box supermarkets, and various online stores. And they have an MSRP of about $2 per can.
MatchaBar Hustle
Started in 2014, MatchaBar, with sustainability as their name of the game, they have created a clean and organic energy drink.
Their energy drinks come in a 12 fl.oz can and has an average calorie count of 5, making it a great choice if you count your calories. They also claim to be gluten-free, vegan-friendly, non-GMO, and sugar-free.
They come in 5 different flavors.
- Peach
- Lemon Lime
- Mint
- Berry
- Mango
MatchaBar Hustle has an average caffeine content of 120mg. That is more in the middle of the spectrum, which is perfect for people who have an average tolerance to caffeine
MatchaBar Hustle can be found in your local convenience stores, big-box supermarkets, and through their website. Price-wise, they have an MSRP of about $3 per can.
RUNA
RUNA was founded in 2009, they use a primary ingredient called guayusa, a tea leaf that is local in Ecuador and is known for its caffeine content.
Their energy drink has a plant-based antioxidant and no artificial flavorings. The brand is also fair trade certified, meaning they ethically source their ingredients. And they are USDA approved for being organic.
Their energy drinks come in a 12 fl.oz can and contains 70 calories. And they come with 4 flavors:
- Mango
- Pineapple
- Berry
- Pomegranate
RUNA Energy Drink has an average caffeine content of 150mg. That’s more in the middle of the spectrum, which is perfect for people who have an average tolerance to caffeine
RUNA Energy Drink can be found in your local convenience stores, big box supermarkets, and through e-commerce sites. And they have an MSRP of about $5 per can.
Hiball
Hiball Energy was founded in 2005, and they have an organic-certified energy blend that they have been consistently selling throughout the years.
Their energy drinks come in a 12 fl.oz can and they are calorie and sugar free.
They have 5 flavors to choose from:
- Grapefruit
- Peach
- Lemon Lime
- Wild Berry
- Vanilla
Hiball Energy Drink has an average caffeine content of 160mg. That’s more in the middle of the spectrum, which is perfect if you have an average tolerance to caffeine
Hiball Energy Drink can be found in your local convenience stores, big-box supermarkets, and through e-commerce sites, and they have an MSRP of about $3 per can.
MATI
Their unsweetened sparkling organic energy drinks offer natural caffeine from guayusa tea. The brand was found in 2012 and has continually grown since then.
The energy drink is sugar and calorie free. And they come in 3 different flavors:
- Raspberry Mint
- Lemon Ginger
- Grapefruit
MATI Energy Drink has an average caffeine content of 115mg. That’s more on the lighter side of the spectrum, which is perfect if you’re sensitive to caffeine.
MATI Energy Drink can be found in your local convenience stores, big-box supermarkets, and through e-commerce sites and they have an MSRP of about $3 per can.
Bai Bubbles
Ben Weiss started Bai Bubbles in 2009. After that, the brand has continuously expanded, and they offer what they call an antioxidant drink.
The energy drink has 1g of sugar, no artificial sweeteners, and has 5 calories. And they come in 7 different flavors:
- Bolivia Black Cherry
- Jamaica Blood Orange
- Gimbi Pink Grapefruit
- Bogotá Blackberry Lime
- Peru Pineapple
- Lambari Watermelon Lime
- Waikiki Coconut Lime
Bai Bubbles Energy Drink has an average caffeine content of 45mg. That is more on the lighter side of the spectrum, which is perfect for people who are sensitive to caffeine. And they have an MSRP of about $4 per can.
teaRIOT
Started in 2020, TeaRIOT launched a 100% plant powered energy drink to the market.
The energy drink has 0 added sugar and 30 calories. It also claims to have clean and organic ingredients.
They come in 4 different flavors:
- Berry
- Mango
- Cherry Watermelon
- Citrus
TeaRIOT Energy Drink has an average caffeine content of 160mg. That is more in the middle of the spectrum, which is perfect if you have an average tolerance to caffeine. And they have an MSRP of about $4 per can.
Clean Cause
A brand that is known to tie its energy drinks with a charitable cause. According to their website, Clean Cause uses 50% of its profits in aiding people in recovery from addiction.
They claim that their energy drinks have clean ingredients. The brand is also USDA organic certified. And has a calorie count of 60.
The energy drinks have two options, one with calories and one without:
Sparkling Yerba Mate
- Blackberry
- Raspberry
- Watermelon Mint
- Peach
- Lemon Lime
Zero Calorie Organic Sparkling Yerba Mate:
- Cherry Lime
- Orange Ginger
- Berry Mint
Clean Cause Energy Drink has an average caffeine content of 160mg. That’s more in the middle of the spectrum, which is perfect if you have an average tolerance to caffeine. And they have an MSRP of about $3 per can.
EBOOST
Started by Josh Taekman and John McDonald in 2007, EBOOST is a brand that strives for cleaner and healthier ways to fuel the body.
Their energy drinks come in a 12 fl.oz can and has an average calorie count of 20, making it a great choice if you count your calories. They also claim to be, gluten and soy-free, no artificial flavorings, non-GMO, and low in sugar.
They come in 3 different flavors:
- Orange Mango
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Ginger Lime
EBOOST Energy Drink has an average caffeine content of 110mg. That is more on the lighter side of the spectrum, which is perfect for people who are sensitive to caffeine. And they have an MSRP of about $3 per can.
REIZE Energy Drink (10 out of 10)
While all the mentioned organic energy drinks are great, I think the best energy drink out of the bunch is REIZE Energy Drink.
With only 50mg of caffeine, REIZE has just enough to keep me mentally sharp and focus throughout the day, but not too much that I might get a headache afterward.
The packaging is pretty nifty as well. All you have to do is open the sachet, mix it with your beverage of choice, and you’re pretty much good to go. REIZE is made of a special blend of healthy ingredients like taurine, ginseng, and B-vitamins, and fits the organic criteria as well.
Plus, you can get REIZE shipped straight to your doorstep for only about $1 per drink. That’s pretty good value for money!
So give REIZE a try, and you might find that it’s the best energy drink for keeping you energized and alert for the day.