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The Truth About
Prime Energy
Drinks are they healthy or not?
Prime Energy Drinks are they healthy or not?

Here’s what you need to know about this new energy drink.

Reviewed and fact-checked by certified nutritionists.

In this article:

  • Are Prime Energy drinks healthy? Or are they bad for your health?
  • How do they compare to other energy drinks?
  • 3 healthier alternatives to Prime Energy for a strong energy boost
Energy drinks have been an ongoing topic of controversy for many years. But one of them in particular is currently under the fire of health authorities: Prime Energy drinks.
Launched in 2022 by social media influencers Logan Paul and KSI, Prime Energy has become a widely successful brand of energy drink among kids and teenagers. But the brand also came under heavy scrutiny for allegedly posing a severe health threat to its young consumers. 
One of the key concerns of authorities is the very high caffeine content of the drink, reaching 200 mg of synthetic caffeine per can. That’s the equivalent of six cans of Coke, or two cans of Red Bull in only one serving. 
Health experts worry that this drink could cause severe health complications, including seizures, heart palpitations and very high blood pressure. According to a recent report from BirminghamLive, a child even had a cardiac episode after consuming a can of Prime, which required an immediate visit to the hospital. 
Are these concerns legitimate? Or are authorities overreacting to the real dangers of this new energy drink? In this article, our team of specialists will examine the Prime Energy Drink in detail, to see if it’s actually safe to consume or not. 
In a second time, we will also discuss potential healthier alternatives to Prime Energy drinks – drinks that provide the same boost of energy with less side effects.
Our guide has been carefully reviewed by professional nutritionists and dieticians, to ensure high-quality and accurate information.

Prime Energy Drink: Is It Really That Bad for you?

The Nutritionist’s Take

Accused of posing a “serious health concern” by New York Senator Chuck Schumer, the FDA recently launched an official investigation against Prime energy drinks.
“PRIME is so new that most parents haven’t a clue about it, but it is born from the reels of social media and the enigmatic world of influencers,” Sen. Schumer said.
“Kids see it on their phones or as they scroll, and they actually need it and the problem here is that this product has so much caffeine in it that it puts Red Bull to shame, but unlike Red Bull, this product has one true target market: children under the age of 18, and that is why I am sounding the alarm and asking the FDA to investigate PRIME.”
In response to these accusations, the founders of Prime have argued that the drink offered levels of caffeine that are in line with other comparable energy drinks, which is somewhat true. 
To evaluate the safety of this drink, we asked our team of specialists to take a deep dive into the drink’s formulation. 

Is The Caffeine Content Excessive? Yes

A single 12-ounce can of Prime Energy contains 200 milligrams of caffeine, the equivalent of six cans of Coca Cola or two Red Bulls. That’s 5-7 more caffeine than the average soft drink.

Prime contains more caffeine than two cans

of Red Bull and six cans of Coca Cola.

According to health specialists, this dose of caffeine is indeed excessive and potentially dangerous for some people
Studies and doctors suggest that caffeine content per serving should remain under 100 milligrams to ensure safety. Any higher doses can cause abnormal heart rhythm, palpitations, jitters, seizures, and in some extreme cases, death.

This is even more true for young people, including kids and teenagers.

“[Doctors] suggest limiting caffeine to at most 100 mg (about two 12 oz cans of cola) daily for those 12–18 years old. There are concerns about caffeine’s effects on the developing neurologic and cardiovascular systems. Sleep is essential in young adults and adolescents, and caffeine consumption has been shown to disrupt sleep patterns. There is also a risk of physical dependence.”
Dr. Tracy Zaslow
board certified pediatrician and pediatric sports medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles
“If kids drink too much, it is actually possible to overdose on caffeine [...] It is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system, so if kids overdose on caffeine, that can result in seizures, abnormal heart rhythms, coma and even death.”
Chenin Nickel
assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of Nevada, Reno

While it is true that other energy drinks offer similarly high contents of caffeine (we can think of Bang Energy and C4, for instance), it doesn’t mean that these drinks are perfectly safe to consume.

Prime Energy Drinks Are Loaded With Artificial Sweeteners

Another major problem with Prime Energy drinks, according to health experts, is the presence of unhealthy artificial sweeteners, especially acesulfame potassium (Ace-K).
Ace-K highly processed chemicals that can create an artificially sweet taste, without adding calories to the drink. Studies suggest that this artificial sweetener can cause severe health consequences in the long-term, that may be even worse than sugar. Ace-K has been linked to obesity, gut inflammation, and increased risk of diabetes.

Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K):

  • Chemical compound 200 times sweeter than table sugar
  • May increase risk of obesity and gut chronic inflammation
  • May worse diabetes
  • May improve the risk of cognitive dysfunction, due to altering neuro-metabolic activity

Prime Energy: The Good

Based on careful examination, we note that Prime Energy drinks are not all made of bad stuff. This drink also shows positive features compared to other energy drinks, including:

  • A relatively low sodium content (55 mg)
  • No sugar (albeit compensated with the addition of artificial sweeteners
  • 0 fat
  • Low in calories (10 cals per can)
  • Contains a rich blend of healthy vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin B6 & B12, magnesium, potassium, and calcium
Despite these positive features, it’s important to be mindful of the risks associated with the very high amounts of caffeine that Prime drinks contain.

What Prime Energy Does

VS

What Dieticians Recommend

What Prime Energy Does:

  • Excessive amounts of caffeine, with 200 milligrams per can
  • Risks: irregular heartbeat, jitters, headaches, energy crashes

What Prime Energy Does:

  • Use caffeine as the main stimulant
  • Risks: short energy boost followed by jitters and energy crash

What Prime Energy Does:

  • Use Ace-K, an artificial sweetener that may be unhealthy
  • Risks: weight gain, gut inflammation, diabetes, cognitive dysfunction, weaker immune system

What Dieticians Recommend:

  • Healthy dose of caffeine, ranging from 30 to 100 mg
  • Benefits: better cardiovascular health, improved focus, lower risk of energy crashes

What Dieticians Recommend:

  • Use caffeine in combination with other natural stimulants 
  • Benefits: longer, more sustained boost of energy that feels better for the body

What Dieticians Recommend:

  • Use natural sweeteners (such as stevia) and low dose of sugar from natural sources
  • Benefits: sweet taste with no harmful effects on health

What Prime Energy Does

VS

What Dieticians Recommend

What Prime Energy Does:

  • Excessive amounts of caffeine, with 200 milligrams per can
  • Risks: irregular heartbeat, jitters, headaches, energy crashes

What Prime Energy Does:

  • Use caffeine as the main stimulant
  • Risks: short energy boost followed by jitters and energy crash

What Prime Energy Does:

  • Use Ace-K, an artificial sweetener that may be unhealthy
  • Risks: weight gain, gut inflammation, diabetes, cognitive dysfunction, weaker immune system

What Dieticians Recommend:

  • Healthy dose of caffeine, ranging from 30 to 100 mg
  • Benefits: better cardiovascular health, improved focus, lower risk of energy crashes

What Dieticians Recommend:

  • Use caffeine in combination with other natural stimulants 
  • Benefits: longer, more sustained boost of energy that feels better for the body

What Dieticians Recommend:

  • Use natural sweeteners (such as stevia) and low dose of sugar from natural sources
  • Benefits: sweet taste with no harmful effects on health

In summary, dietitians recommend choosing energy drinks that:

  • Don’t use any bad artificial sweeteners. Use natural sweeteners such as stevia or monk fruit
  • Are low in sugar and calories
  • Don’t use any bad artificial sweeteners. Use natural sweeteners such as stevia or monk fruit
  • Are low in sugar and calories

3 Healthier Alternatives To Prime Energy Drinks

To help you find an energy drink that is just as effective as Prime to give you an energy boost, but better for your health, our team of health specialists compiled a list of top 3 healthier alternatives to Prime Energy.
This list was carefully curated in partnership with certified nutritionists, and takes several factors into consideration, including: ingredients quality, health impact, taste, value for money, and verified customer reviews.

1

Alpine Bliss Cognitive Energy Booster

PROS:

  • Provides a strong, sustained boost of energy without crashes
  • Improves mood and well-being thanks to a natural blend of cognitive boosters
  • Low on calories and sugar
  • Optimal dose of caffeine
  • Contains a strong dose of vitamins and antioxidants
  • No ace-k or aspartame 
  • Great taste, according to users
  • Uses pure Alpine water with high-quality plant-based ingredients

CONS:

  • Expensive
  • Frequently out of stock due to limited production

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THE
BOTTOM
LINE

Alpine Bliss is a premium, fast-growing Swiss brand of flavored sparkling water offering functional health benefits, using clinically studied ingredients. The Alpine Bliss Cognitive Energy Booster is a powerful, fruity energy drink that combines pure alpine water sourced from the European Alps with natural energy-boosting ingredients.

One of the standout features of this Alpine Bliss is its ability to provide a strong, sustained boost of energy for several hours, without causing unpleasant energy crashes often associated with traditional energy drinks. This is achieved through a unique blend of high-quality plant-based ingredients, including an optimal dose of 70 mg of caffeine from natural sources, L-tyrosine, panax ginseng, and high-purity ginger root extract.
Consumers report experiencing a powerful and clean boost of energy, comparable to that of regular energy drinks like Prime, without jitters or crashes.

Alpine Bliss is a premium, fast-growing Swiss brand of flavored sparkling water offering functional health benefits, using clinically studied ingredients. The Alpine Bliss Cognitive Energy Booster is a powerful, fruity energy drink that combines pure alpine water sourced from the European Alps with natural energy-boosting ingredients.

Aside from enhancing mental and physical energy, this formula is also known for creating a distinct feeling of well-being thanks to a proprietary blend of plant-based ingredients called DopaBliss. This natural blend is specifically designed to boost cognitive levels – the “happy hormone” responsible for making us feel good and happy.

From a nutrition standpoint, the drink is also scoring pretty well. The formula contains zero added sugar, just 10 calories per can, and only 4 grams of natural sugar from wild berries. It doesn’t contain any harmful artificial sweeteners like aspartame or ace-K. The drink is also a rich source of vitamin B6 and B12 – two vitamins that promote a healthy metabolism.
Beyond its functional health benefits, the Alpine Bliss formula also performs well on taste, according to consumers. Users praise its fruity wild berries flavor and refreshing fine bubbles. It strikes a delicate balance of sweetness and freshness, and delivers an enjoyable drinking experience.
On the minus side, we note that the drink is quite expensive ($3.95 per can) – which can be explained by the “fancy” ingredients that it contains, including extracts of saffron and ginger roots (some of the most expensive spices in the world). We also note that the drink is frequently out of stock, because it’s produced in limited batches as of now.

Taking all of this into consideration puts Alpine Bliss Cognitive Energy booster in our #1 spot.

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2

Focusaid Clean Energy

PROS:

  • May improve energy, attention and focus
  • Strong dose of caffeine
  • Contains several natural proven energy boosters, including rhodiola and panax ginseng
  • Positive consumer reviews
  • Use safe artificial sweeteners, including stevia

CONS:

  • Relatively high in calories (40 calories per can)
  • Sugar content could be lower (around 7 grams)

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THE
BOTTOM
LINE

Focusaid Clean Energy is a better-for-you energy drink that aims to improve your energy levels, thinking and focus. The company has a strong, established reputation in the emerging fields of better-for-you energy drinks.
The formula contains a good amount of caffeine (100 mg), which gives you a quick burst of energy. It also has other natural ingredients like GABA for stress relief, rhodiola for better focus, and Panax Ginseng for learning and memory. These ingredients work together to give you a cognitive boost.
All the active ingredients in this drink have proven benefits, and consumer reviews are very positive overall.
Another green flag about Focusaid Clean Energy is that it doesn’t use unhealthy artificial sweeteners. Instead, it uses organic agave nectar and stevia to add a sweet taste that makes the drink palatable and enjoyable (which is not always the case for healthier energy drinks, which often have to sacrifice sweetness for health).
When it comes to sugar, Focusaid Clean Energy has about 7 grams, which is not excessively high but there are other drinks with less sugar. However, it’s important to know that this is added sugar, so if you’re watching your sugar intake, it’s something to keep in mind.
On the downside, Focusaid Clean Energy has more calories compared to other healthy energy drinks (around 40 calories). So if you’re trying to watch your calorie intake, this might not be the best choice for you.
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3

Celsius Stevia

PROS:

  • Established beverage brand
  • Low calorie, low sugar
  • Strong boost in energy levels thanks to a high dose of caffeine, guarana and green tea extract
  • Wide range of tastes and flavors
  • Rich in vitamins

CONS:

  • Caffeine dose may be too high (200 mg)
  • Contains erythritol - an artificial sweeteners which may have negative effects on cardiovascular health, but more research is needed

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THE
BOTTOM
LINE

Celsius Stevia is an energy drink that aims to provide a powerful boost of energy while offering several nutritional benefits.
One of the key features of Celsius is its low-calorie content. This makes it an attractive option for those watching their calorie intake while still seeking an energy boost.
The energy-enhancing effects of Celsius can be attributed to its high dose of caffeine and guarana seed. These ingredients provide a potent and immediate surge of energy. Another positive aspect of Celsius is its inclusion of green tea extracts, which are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are known for their health benefits, supporting overall well-being.
One of the advantages of Celsius is its wide range of tastes and flavors. This allows consumers to choose the option that best suits their preferences and keeps things interesting.
However, there are a couple of considerations to keep in mind. The caffeine dose in Celsius Stevia is relatively high at 200 mg. For individuals sensitive to caffeine or looking to limit their intake, this may be a drawback. Such a high dose of caffeine may cause unpleasant crashes in some people, which would defeat the purpose of drinking healthier energy drinks.
Additionally, while this drink uses Stevia as a sweetener (which is safe), it also contains the artificial sweetener erythritol. While more research is needed, there are some concerns that erythritol may have negative effects on cardiovascular health. Although Celsius is a very good healthier alternative to traditional energy drinks, It’s important to be aware of this potential downside and consider your individual health needs.
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* The information contained within this site is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have, expect to have, or suspect you may have any medical condition, you are urged to consult with a health care provider. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or medical conditions. Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.

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