The Truth About Your Energy Drink's Ingredients

Keep the boost. Cut the crash. This blog peels back the label on traditional energy drinks, exposing what’s inside, what’s missing, and why it all matters for your body.

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Jun 25, 2025

Hidden Ingredients in Mainstream Energy Drinks

Energy drinks promise a boost, but what’s really in that can? A closer look reveals that many mainstream energy drinks are packed with ingredients that can undermine your health, especially when consumed daily.

Artificial Sweeteners: Many sugar-free energy drinks rely on aspartame, sucralose, or acesulfame potassium. While they reduce calorie counts, they’ve been linked to gut microbiome disruption and potential metabolic effects.

Synthetic Colors and Flavors: We get it, bright hues look fun! But dyes like Red 40 or Yellow 5 and artificial flavorings are often petroleum-derived and have been flagged for potential behavioral and allergic effects, particularly in children and sensitive individuals.

Preservatives and Fillers: Ingredients like sodium benzoate or EDTA are commonly added to stabilize shelf life. While generally recognized as safe in small amounts, ongoing research raises concerns about long-term effects when consumed regularly or in high quantities.

The takeaway? These additives may not affect everyone the same way, but some people report side effects like brain fog or gut discomfort, especially when energy drinks become a daily ritual rather than an occasional boost.

The Jitters: Caffeine, Sugar, and the Crash

Caffeine can be your ally, or your enemy, depending on the dose and what it’s paired with. Most traditional energy drinks contain between 150–300mg of caffeine per can, equivalent to up to three cups of coffee.

Pair that with 20–50 grams of sugar (more than a donut in many cases), and you’ve got a recipe for a spike in blood sugar, short-lived alertness, and a rapid slump that leaves you feeling worse than before.

What happens when sugar and caffeine collide?

Short-term buzz: Sugar gives a fast energy jolt, and caffeine sharpens focus.
The crash: Blood sugar plummets, energy dips, and cravings return.
Mood swings + jitters: Large doses of caffeine can increase heart rate and anxiety.

The average adult can safely consume up to 400mg of caffeine per day, according to the FDA. But quality and quantity matter, and can impact how this much caffeine actually makes you feel. Regular consumption of traditional energy drinks has also been linked to cardiovascular symptoms, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.

Natural Energy, Explained

Not all energy drinks are built the same. That’s why we made Cure Energy! At Cure, we focus on energy + functional benefits, not just stimulation. Here's how:

Caffeine from black and green tea: A gentler lift that supports focus and alertness without the overwhelming jolt or sudden drop.

L-theanine for mood balance support: Known for its calming properties, L-theanine can help promote a more balanced mood. When combined with caffeine, it has been shown to support improved focus and attention.

Electrolytes from coconut water + pink Himalayan salt: Hydration plays a major role in how energized you feel. Our electrolyte blend helps replenish what you lose from movement, screen time, or stress, keeping your body and mind in sync.

No added sugar: Our natural sweetness comes from coconut water powder and fruit juice powders, never cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup. That means great taste without the blood sugar spike. The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar intake to reduce the risk of heart disease and metabolic disorders.

No artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, or dyes: We leave out the synthetic stuff you’ll find in most mainstream energy drinks. No neon coloring, no chemical aftertaste. Just clean, effective ingredients that work for your body.

Our energy drink mix is formulated to support mental clarity, hydration, and sustained energy without synthetic ingredients or unnecessary fillers.