C4 energy drink as a pre-workout energy drink released in 2018 by Nutrabolt. This energy drink provides you with energy during your workout routine. Furthermore, keep your energy boosted to be on top of your game.
But, the main question is, is this energy drink bad for you?
Overall, this energy drink is not bad for you if you consume it in moderate amounts.
Still skeptical about this answer? Continue reading this article till the end, as I will review the ingredients and facts of this energy and determine whether this energy drink is bad for you or not. But, before that, let’s check its nutritional facts.
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Nutritional Facts of C4 Energy Drink
C4 energy drink contains essential nutritional facts in its formula. I have added a table below that shows the nutritional facts you can find in this energy drink.
Standard Values | C4 “Original” Carbonated(16 fl.oz) |
Energy | 0 calories |
Protein | 0g |
Fat (Of Which Saturated) | 0g(0g) |
Carbohydrate(Of which Sugars) | 0g(0g) |
Sodium | Unspecified |
Caffeine | 200mg |
Vitamin B3(Niacin) | 30mg |
Vitamin B6 | – |
Vitamin B9 | – |
Vitamin B12 | 6μg |
Potassium | 85mg |
You can see in the table that this energy drink contains essential vitamins and minerals in its formula. Furthermore, this energy drink also has moderate caffeine content, is completely sugar-free, and has zero calories in its formula, which is good compared to other energy drinks.
Now, let’s check these nutritional facts in detail.
Calories in C4 Energy Drink
The C4 energy drink has zero calories present in its formula.
Calories are a crucial form of energy, and it makes up half of your body and helps in the functioning of many organs. However, too many calories are still bad for you as they can lead to side effects like weight gain and obesity. Therefore, whenever you consume calories, make sure you consume only 2000-2500 calories in a day as it is the safest amount according to the NHS.
The C4 energy drink has zero calories in its formula, which means it is perfect for those trying to lose weight but can’t go through their day without energy drinks.
However, remember whether energy drinks have calories or not; you should always consume them in moderate amounts.
Caffeine In C4 Energy Drink
C4 energy drink contains only 200mg of caffeine in its formula.
Caffeine is a crucial ingredient of every energy drink as it is a main source of energy. Besides this, it also provides you with benefits like improving your alertness, increasing your mental and physical performance, giving you an immediate and keeping you awake throughout the day.

However, too much caffeine is not good for you and can cause caffeine overdose. You can also experience other side effects like nausea, headache, insomnia, depression, anxiety, etc. If you don’t stay within limits, 400 mg per day as set by the FDA.
The good news is that this energy drink contains only 200 mg of caffeine which is half of the daily recommended amount. That means you can easily have this energy drink without worrying about any side effects.
However, remember not to overdo it, especially if you are caffeine sensitive.
Sugar in C4 Energy Drink
C4 energy drink contains zero sugar in its formula.
Sugar is another ingredient present in energy drinks to add taste to them. However, too much sugar is not good for you, especially if you have diabetes. Furthermore, it can also cause side effects like weight gain, obesity, crashes, jitters, headaches, etc., if you consume too much.
Therefore, always try not to exceed the daily sugar intake of 25 to 36 g of sugar in a day.
Fortunately, this energy drink does not have any sugar in its formula and only uses artificial sweeteners to add taste to the drink. This means you won’t have to worry about any negative side effects and can enjoy this energy drink.
Like C4, many energy drinks are sugar-free and good for losing weight. Want to know more about them? Check this article out.
Artificial Sweeteners in C4 Energy Drink
The artificial sweeteners in C4 energy drinks are sucralose, stevia, and acesulfame-k.
C4 energy drink is completely sugar-free and uses artificial sweeteners in its formula. These artificial sweeteners are a good sugar substitute and are completely free from side effects. Let’s check this sweetener in detail.
Sucralose
Sucralose, or as we call it, Splenda, is a non-nutritive sweetener. It is used in every energy drink and is completely calorie-free. Moreover, this sweetener is 700 times sweeter than actual sugar.
Furthermore, unlike sugar, this artificial sweetener does not spike your blood pressure making it suitable for diabetics patients. But, remember, no matter how much this sweetener is beneficial, you should always consume it in moderate amounts as its side effects are unknown.
Acesulfame-K
Acesulfame-K is another artificial sweetener present in this energy drink. This is a nutritive sweetener 200 times less sweet than actual sugar and has only a few calories.
Stevia
Stevia is another artificial sweetener present in this energy drink. This sweetener is non-nutritive and has zero calories. Furthermore, this sweetener is derived from stevia leaves and is safe to consume.
Ingredients of C4 Energy Drink
C4 energy drink comes in three different product lines. These are Original, Smart Energy, and Ultimate. Let’s check the ingredients of all three types.
C4 “Original” Carbonated
One can of C4 Original Carbonated drink has the following ingredients:
- 0 calories
- 0g total carbohydrates
- 0g total sugar
- 30mg niacin (as niacinamide)
- 6mcg vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin)
- 85mg potassium.
The drink is made from Explosive Performance Energy Blend that has:
- Caffeine anhydrous (200mg)
- CarnoSyn Beta-alanine
- Beta power Betaine Anhydrous
- N-acetyl-l-tyrosine
- Citrulline malate
- Carbonated water
- Citric Acid
- Natural flavors
- Artificial flavors
- Potassium sorbate
- Sucralose (artificial sweetener)
- Acesulfame potassium (artificial sweetener)
C4 Original contains a 6.73g Explosive Performance Energy Blend

This is a list of ingredients for the flavor Cotton Candy. Check out the back of the can if you want to know what’s in the flavor you picked.
C4 “Smart Energy” Carbonated
One can of C4 Smart Energy Carbonated drink contains the following ingredients:
- 200mg caffeine
- 0 calories
- 0g total fat
- 0g total carbohydrate
- 0g total sugar
- 0g protein
- 0mg sodium
- 30mg niacin
- 6mcg vitamin B12
Other ingredients
- Carbonated water
- Malic acid
- Citric acid
- Cognizin citicoline
- Potassium benzoate
- Sucralose (artificial sweetener)
- InnovaTea green tea leaf extract
- Acesulfame potassium
- Natural flavors
- N-acetyl-l-tyrosine
- Sodium citrate
C4 “Ultimate” Carbonated
One can of C4 ultimate carbonated energy drink has the following ingredients.
- 0 calories
- 0g total carbohydrates
- 0g total sugars
- 1g taurine
- 500mcg folic acid
- 110mg potassium
- 70mcg vitamin B12
- 1mg vitamin B6
- 60mg niacin
- 3.2g CarnoSyn Beta-Alanine
- 2g Beta power Betaine Anhydrous
- 6g Citrulline malate
- 1g Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate
The drink contains 708g C4 Ultimate Energy & Focus Blend that is made of:
- 300mg caffeine anhydrous
- N-acetyl-l-tyrosine
- Alphasize A-GPC (Alpha-Glyceryl Phosphoryl Choline)
- Zamboni (Sceletium Tortuosum) aerial parts extract
- Rauwoflia Vomitoria root extract
- Huperzine A (from toothed Clubmoss/Huperzia Serrata aerial parts extract)
It also contains the traces of
- Water
- Potassium sorbate
- Natural flavors
- Artificial flavors
- Sucralose (artificial sweetener)
- Acesulfame potassium (artificial sweetener)
- FD&C Yellow #6 (permitted food coloring by FDA)
Note: These are the ingredients of tropic blast flavor.

C4 Energy “Natural Zero” Carbonated
A can of C4 Energy Natural Zero Carbonated drink has the following ingredients.
- 0 calories
- 120mg natural caffeine from CoffeeBerry
- 0g total carbohydrates
- 0g total sugars
- 0g total fat
- 0g protein
- 250mg cognizing citicoline
- 1g taurine
- 0.5g tyrosine
Other ingredients
- Carbonated water
- Natural flavors
- Malic acid
- Citric acid
- Stevia leaf extract
- Coffeeberry energy fruit extract
Is C4 Energy Drink Bad For You?
A C4 energy drink is not bad for you if you consume it in moderate amounts.
Drinking energy drinks wisely can be good for you.
When you need a boost during your workouts or when you’re studying for exams, a can of C4 could be helpful.
It’s easy for them to turn the other way if you’re not careful. If you’re pregnant or suffer from pre-existing medical conditions, you might also want to avoid energy drinks, especially those high in caffeine.
Want to know more about C4 energy drinks? Then check this video out.
Can You Drink C4 Energy Drink Every Day?
Yes, you can have a C4 energy drink every day if you consume it in moderate amounts.
It has no sugar or calories, and its caffeine content is half of the recommended daily amount. Despite this, it isn’t a good habit to consume energy drinks daily.
Even though you can drink it every day, that doesn’t mean you should. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals, and because it contains a lot of caffeine, it provides an immediate boost.
Nevertheless, its caffeine content also makes regular consumption of it not recommended. The best thing to do instead is to drink C4 as needed. As a result, you can eat a more balanced diet without worrying about caffeine overdose.
How Many Cans of C4 Energy Drink Should You Have in A Day?
It would help if you only drank up to one can of this energy drink daily.
The C4 energy drinks contain a lot of caffeine; therefore, try to restrict yourself to one can of this energy drink daily.
Depending on which variation you choose, C4 energy drinks can contain caffeine levels ranging from 120mg to 300mg. Go for the one you know your body can handle when choosing a version. I have added a table below to show the caffeine present in the different versions of the C4 energy drink.
4 Variants | Caffeine content |
Original | 200mg |
Smart Energy | 200mg |
Ultimate | 300mg |
Natural Zero | 120mg |
You are more likely to develop caffeine overdose symptoms if you consume more than one can of C4 energy drink each day.
You should be aware that too much caffeine can cause side effects. Watch this video to learn how caffeine helps us feel awake.
Is It Bad To Drink C4 Without Working Out?
It’s a caffeine-based pre-workout with additional compounds that contribute to the overall effect.
Simply said, this isn’t a caffeine supplement. It’s a pre-workout supplement that helps you increase your performance. The goal is to increase your alertness, attentiveness, and workout results.
However, because of its broad application, it has become a general-purpose supplement. It can be used regardless of your performance goals or training style: it’s all-encompassing and doesn’t have to be limited to a single type of exercise or aim.
How Long Does C4 Energy Drink Last In Your System?
It is ultimately determined by how well your body reacts to the 200mg of caffeine included in a 16-ounce can of C4 Energy drink.
Caffeine’s effects are usually felt within 15 to 30 minutes of ingestion. For most people, it reaches a peak after an hour and remains there for several hours.
Because of the half-life characteristic of caffeine, the 100mg of caffeine in C4 Energy will last roughly five to six hours in your system. The remaining half will take another 12 hours to eliminate.
Is C4 Stronger Than Red Bull?
When compared to prominent energy drink brands like Red Bull, C4 Energy comes out on top in terms of calories and sugar.
If your body can withstand 200mg of caffeine, the C4 Energy drink will benefit you more. To avoid the risk of caffeine overdose, don’t consume more than two cans of this drink in one day.
The 200mg of caffeine in a 16 fl. oz can of this drink is, however, its worst flaw.
Flavors of C4 Energy Drink
C4 energy drink contains a variety of delicious flavors. Here are the flavors of different versions of the C4 energy drink.
C4 “Original” Carbonated

- Sour Batch Bros
- Cotton Candy
- Midnight Cherry
- Orange Slice
- Purple Frost
- Strawberry Watermelon Ice
- Frozen Bombsicle
- Twisted Limeade
- Tropical Blast
- Cherry Limeade
C4 “Smart Energy” Carbonated

- Freedom Ice
- Electric Sour
- Cotton Candy
- Peach Mango Nectar
C4 “Ultimate” Carbonated
- Arctic Snow Cone
- Sour Batch Bros
- Tropical Blast
C4 Energy “Natural Zero” Carbonated
- Cherry Lime
- Strawberry Coconut
- Blueberry Lemonade
Alternatives of C4 Energy Drink
If you don’t like C4 energy drinks then, here are some of the alternatives to C4 energy drinks you can easily have.
Conclusion
So, overall C4 energy drink is not bad for you if you consume it in moderate amounts. This energy drink contains moderate caffeine content, is completely sugar-free, and has low calories.
Furthermore, this energy drink is filled with essential vitamins and minerals. Also, this energy drink comes in four different varieties, which means you can choose anyone you like.
But, remember it still contains up to 200 mg of caffeine which can be too much for some people; therefore, always consume this energy drink in moderate amounts.
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