Short Answer: Yes 5 Hour Energy works!
5-Hour Energy isn’t your regular energy drink – it’s an energy shot! While both provide you with an energy rush, an energy shot is a relatively small volume of liquid concentrated with active ingredients.
The idea behind an energy shot is to give you an effective and quick energy boost in just a few sips.
This provides you with a quick and easy fix for days when you don’t have the required energy to hustle or meet your goals.
The 5-Hour Energy drink is packed with caffeine, essential vitamins, and amino acids to provide you with a quick surge of energy.
Even though this list of ingredients sounds promising, the question remains, does 5 Hour Energy drink actually work?
Let’s find out!
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Ingredients of 5-Hour Energy
5-Hour Energy is comprised of the following ingredients:
- Purified Water
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Sucralose
- Potassium Sorbate
- Sodium Benzoate
- EDTA
- Taurine
- Glucuronic Acid
- Malic Acid
- N-Actyel L-Tyrosine
- L-Phenylalanine
- Caffeine
- Citicoline
Nutrition Facts of 5-Hour Energy
The following table shows the nutrition value of 1.93 fl. oz 5-Hour Energy:
| Nutrients | 5 Hour Shots (1.93 fl.oz) |
| Energy | 4 calories |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Fat (of which saturated) | 0 g (0 g) |
| Carbohydrate (of which sugars) | 0 g (0 g) |
| Sodium | 15 mg |
| Potassium | 15 mg |
| Caffeine | 200 mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 30 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 50 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 500 μg |
| Choline | 2 mg |
How Much Caffeine Does 5-Hour Energy Contain?
A 1.93 fl. oz 5-Hour Energy contains 200 mg of caffeine.
The main energy-boosting component in 5-Hour Energy is caffeine which enhances brain function and makes you feel active.
Since it impacts the functioning of the brain and heart, caffeine requires moderate consumption so that your body is not overwhelmed by its effects.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends limiting your daily caffeine intake to a maximum of 400 mg.
Based on its small volume, 200 mg of caffeine may be a lot to consume in one go for someone with caffeine issues. And if you’re sensitive to caffeine, this can result in various side effects such as:
- headaches
- anxiety
- jitters
- restlessness
- nausea
- muscle breakdown
- insomnia
If you experience any of the above side effects, either limit your intake or go for something with lighter caffeine content.
Sugar Content in 5-Hour Energy
5-Hour Energy is sugar-free.
Even though sugar provides a quick energy rush, its frequent consumption is linked with various health problems.
Sugar consumption results in weight gain and puts you at risk of heart and kidney diseases.
Like most sugar-free products, 5-Hour Energy contains an artificial sweetener called sucralose.
Sucralose is a zero-calorie sweetener that’s 400 to 700 times sweeter than regular sugar. It adds the right flavor to the drink without impacting your blood glucose levels.
Even though the FDA considers sucralose safe for consumption, there are contradicting opinions regarding its long-term impact on your gut health.
Therefore avoid regular consumption of products containing sucralose.
Active Ingredients in 5-Hour Energy
The main active ingredient in 5-Hour Energy is caffeine, but it does contain a bunch of other energy-boosting ingredients to enhance the effects of caffeine.
Since the energy formula in 5-Hour Energy is a proprietary blend, the exact values of each of its components are unknown.
Apart from caffeine, the energy blend of 5-Hour Energy contains the following ingredients:
| Ingredients | Functions |
| Citicoline | improves brain health and functioning |
| Tyrosine | improves focus and increases attention span |
| Phenylalanine | reduces symptoms of depression and aids various brain illnesses |
| Taurine | improves physical performance and delays fatigue |
| Malic Acid | increases energy production and improves stamina |
| Glucuronolactone | improves energy levels and increases alertness |
Essential Vitamins in 5-Hour Energy
Vitamins play a varied role in the body and they regulate various body functions and improve overall performance.
Therefore, most energy drinks are filled with essential vitamins to help your body keep up with your lifestyle.
The vitamin blend of 5-Hour Energy contains B-Vitamins. Thus, resulting in better energy production.
This table shows the list of B-vitamins in 5-Hour Energy along with their key functions:
| Vitamins | Functions |
| Vitamin B3 | helps regulate blood pressure and improve mental function |
| Vitamin B6 | improves brain health and increases the production of hemoglobin |
| Vitamin B12 | improves exercise performance and helps delay exhaustion |
Does 5-Hour Energy Actually Work?
5-Hour Energy delivers what it promises, an instant yet effective energy surge.
5-Hour Energy is filled with active ingredients that enhance energy levels and provide physical strength. With concentration of caffeine, 5-Hour Energy provides you with a strong energy boost to help your body function at its maximum potential.
Apart from caffeine, the drink contains essential vitamins and amino acids, elevating your energy to the next level.
Watch this video to know more about 5-Hour Energy!
How Long Does It Take for 5-Hour Energy to Kick In?
It takes about 5 to 10 minutes for 5-Hour Energy to kick in.
Since the main component of the 5-Hour Energy drink is caffeine, the energy boost you experience depends on your caffeine metabolism.
With a fast caffeine metabolism, you’re likely to experience your peak energy level more quickly. Typically, it takes almost an hour for the caffeine to reach its maximum potential, after which the energy levels start to fall gradually.
Is 5-Hour Energy Good for You?
5-Hour Energy is an effective source of an energy boost, but its excess consumption can impact your health negatively.
Consuming 200 mg of caffeine in one shot will give an instant energy rush, but it can also cause various health issues when consumed irresponsibly. Therefore, moderate consumption is required.
An energy shot provides you with an intense energy surge much faster relative to an energy drink. But since it is highly concentrated with caffeine, the risks of experiencing potential side effects also increase.
Therefore, avoid consuming 5–Hour Energy every day and limit yourself to one serving per day for health safety.
How Does 5-Hour Energy Make You Feel?
The high caffeine content in 5-Hour Energy increases brain function, making you feel alert and ready to take action. It clears mental fog and helps you focus better.
Whether your body requires extra fuel before a workout or an energy boost before a tough exam, 5-Hour Energy will get you ready within no time.
But consumption of high amounts of caffeine can often result in dehydration or dizziness, so make sure you drink plenty of water to help combat any potential side effects.
Can 5-Hour Energy Keep You Awake?
Yes, the concentrated shot of 5-Hour Energy will keep you awake all night long.
Caffeine blocks the adenosine receptors that promote the feeling of fatigue and sleepiness which helps your brain stay active and focused.
Since 5-Hour Energy contains 200 mg of caffeine in just 1.93 fl. oz, the drink will increase your alertness and will keep you up all night without losing focus.
Does 5-Hour Energy Make You Crash?
Yes, 5-Hour Energy can result in a crash.
A caffeine crash occurs when the energy high starts to wear off and there is a sudden drop in your energy levels.
Some common symptoms of a crash are:
- severe headache
- irritability
- extreme tiredness
- inability to focus
You can overcome a caffeine crash by keeping your body hydrated.
Check out this article if you’re scouting for the best energy drinks that don’t give a crash.
Side Effects of 5-Hour Energy
Excess consumption of 5-Hour Energy can put your health at serious risk.
Some side effects associated with 5-Hour Energy are:
- high blood pressure
- irritability
- restlessness
- insomnia
- dehydration
Flavors of 5-Hour Energy
5-Hour Energy is available in the following flavors:
- Strawberry Watermelon
- Watermelon
- Strawberry Banana
- Peach Mango
- Pink Watermelon
- Pineapple Apricot
- Sour Apple
- Cherry
- Orange (Extra Strength)
- Ultra Orange
- Tropical Burst
- Grape (Extra Strength)
- Cool Mint Lemonade
- Blue Raspberry
- Berry (Extra Strength)
5-Hour Energy Alternatives
If the caffeine in 5-Hour Energy is too high for you, here are some energy drink options containing moderate to low caffeine content:
Bottom Line
With a high amount of caffeine, 5-Hour Energy provides you with an energy boost set to last for a few hours.
When compared with other energy drinks, the active ingredients in 5-Hour Energy make the energy boost a lot quicker and more effective. But this might not suit everyone. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, 5-Hour Energy can cause various side effects.
Even if you can handle high caffeine consumption in one go, make sure your daily intake doesn’t exceed 400 mg. And drink 5-Hour Energy in moderation!