Energy drinks, supplements, and other such products are becoming very common among Americans and other people worldwide. Energy drinks give you the instant shots of Energy that you might need to get a job done or stay active for a longer period of time.
What is in the energy drinks that help you get the immediate effects?
Most energy drinks contain caffeine that will block the effect of adenosine, the chemical responsible for sleep. Adenosine is released by the brain to induce sleep among individuals. However, caffeine consumption blocks its effect and causes neurons to activate.
5-Hour Energy is also a product that claims an instant shot of Energy that sustains and lets you have more active periods of time.
But how does it work, how long it takes to kick in, and how much caffeine do you get from 5-Hour Energy. This article will discuss everything about 5-hour Energy and how long it takes to kick in. We also discuss the possible side effects of energy drinks on your body.
So let’s get into it.
What is 5-Hour Energy?
5-Hour Energy is an American company established by an Indian-based Manoj Bhargava. The company was launched in 2004, and the company sells energy drinks. 5-Hour Energy is the name of the energy drinks they have been selling.
5-Hour Energy has different versions to give you energy boosts according to your body’s requirements. The main variants of 5-Hour Energy are as follows: Regular Strength Shots, Extra Strength Shots, 5-Hour Energy Beverages, and Daily Immune Support.
We can define 5-Hour Energy beverages and drinks as dietary supplements to provide the person with instant Energy that lasts for hours and help you have increased performance in day-to-day tasks. The energy drink is fueled with caffeine, vitamins, and other nutrients that are needed by our bodies.
What Are The Ingredients Of 5-Hour Energy?
The number of different ingredients in 5-Hour Energy drinks and beverages can vary depending on the shot strength, serving size, etc.
However, the name of the ingredients included in all the products is more or less the same. Therefore, we will have a general discussion of vitamins and other ingredients that are added to the energy drinks of the 5-Hour company.
Here are the vitamins that you can get by consuming any serving size and version of 5-Hour Energy:
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B-12 is a nutrient that is needed by your body for various functions. It is a water-soluble vitamin and can only be taken from supplements or diet.
From making DNA to the production of red blood cells and promoting healthy nerve cells are some of the functions why Vitamin B12 is helpful. Vitamin B12 is also effective in avoiding megaloblastic anemia.
Niacin
Niacin is also present in 5-Hour Energy drinks, and it is also a vitamin. Niacin, or Vitamin B3, is a vitamin that can be taken from external sources and is present in different foods.
It is also formed by the human body. However, if you are not getting enough niacin from dietary sources, supplements are also available, and 5-Hour Energy is one of them.
Niacin helps convert food into Energy and is essential for healthy skin, nervous, and digestive systems. The vitamin is responsible for the breakdown of food into cholesterol, fats, etc. Besides, it also functions as a DNA repairing agent and exerts antioxidant effects.
B6
Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is also a water-soluble vitamin that can be taken from different foods and supplements. It is also present in 5-Hour Energy, and the vitamin is effective in disease prevention.
Whether you are experiencing nausea in pregnancy or want to decrease the risk of cancers, Vitamin B6 is effective and gives promising results. The common sources of Vitamin B6 are leafy vegetables, nuts, broccoli, whole grains, avocados, etc.
Other ingredients included in 5-Hour Energy are as follows:
Phenylalanine
It is an essential amino acid that is a building block of protein. It is available in three forms: D, L, and hybrid. It is necessary for the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system.
Therefore, it is used to enhance alertness. Phenylalanine can also be consumed from different natural sources like vegetables, whole grains, poultry, nuts, fish, dairy products, etc.
Citicoline
Citicoline is an organic compound that is given to patients by mouth or injections. It is effective in helping memory loss induced by aging, glaucoma-induced vision problems, and recovery of patients having a stroke. Citicoline is also effective in bipolar disorder, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, etc.
Taurine
Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid that is naturally present in the human body. However, you can also take taurine from food sources like fish, meat, and eggs. Taurine is needed by your body to support nerve growth and lower the risk of heart failure by lowering blood pressure.
Malic Acid
Malic acid is an organic compound in 5-Hour Energy that helps clear away dead cells when applied externally. When taken by mouth, it helps in the creation of more saliva. The natural sources of malic acid are grapes, vegetables, watermelon, cherries, etc.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant in different natural substances and products. You can get caffeine from more than 60 plants, from coffee to chocolate. Caffeine is a stimulant for your brain and nervous system to increase activity and performance.
Glucuronolactone
Glucuronolactone is also a chemical compound produced by the human body and available from external sources. It is a popular ingredient used in energy drinks to improve the performance of athletes.
Tyrosine
Tyrosine is also an amino acid but a nonessential one. The human body makes tyrosine from phenylalanine. Tyrosine is helpful in building protein, enzyme production, thyroid hormones, and melanin production.
How Long Does 5-Hour Energy Take To Kick In?
As advertised by the company, the 5-Hour energy drink, the energy shot provided by the drink and beverage, last for about 5 hours. However, many people ask how long does it take before you can feel the energy boost?
So here is the answer:
Once you have consumed the drink, it can take anywhere between 10 to 15 minutes for you to start feeling the effect of the energy drink. For the full effectiveness of the drink, it can take almost half an hour after consumption of the drink.
However, the absorption period of the ingredients can vary depending on your body’s metabolism, the food you have taken before the drink, and other factors. Food is the most important factor to consider when answering how long the drink will take to kick in.
If you have eaten a big meal before having your shot of 5-Hour Energy, it will take a bit longer to get it broken down and absorbed by the body. And in case you have taken the shot on an empty stomach, it will literally take a few minutes to feel the effect of the drink.
How Much Caffeine Do You Get From 5-Hour Energy?
The main source of Energy in 5-Hour Energy is caffeine, which increases your alertness and lets you experience better performance. However, the gross effect is compounded by other ingredients as well. If Caffeine intake is your concern, it will be intelligent to consume the energy drink accordingly.
If we discuss the amount of caffeine per serving of 5-Hour Energy, one serving of a 2 oz bottle contains 230 mg of caffeine in it. Therefore, if you want to consume a safe amount of caffeine that is not more than 400 mg, you can consume 4 oz of 5-Hour Energy beverage.
Are 5-Hour Energy Drinks Safe?
If we talk about the safety of 5-Hour Energy or other energy drinks, it is safe until consumed in moderation. It contains essential amino acids and other natural ingredients with a safe amount of caffeine.
One serving of energy drink contains the same amount of caffeine as in a cup of brewed coffee. Therefore, no risk can be associated with consuming 5-Hour Energy until consumed within safe limits.
However, if you exceed the consumption beyond the safe limits, it will surely cause implications.