Have you been enjoying 3D? It’s one of the tastiest energy drinks out there. It’s a lot less of a health risk than other brands, plus, it makes a good pre-workout, too!
But, do you know what’s in a can of 3D Energy?
It’s easy to believe that we don’t need to know what’s in our food and drink if they don’t make us sick. But we have to remember that these are still formulas made from a lot of different ingredients with their own effects on the human body.
Short answer is: 3D Energy has 200mg of caffeine, no sugar, and 3 kinds of artificial sweetener in it.
Read on and I’ll explain everything the best I can.
Contents
3D Energy Drink Ingredients
For starters, here’s a list of what you can find in the 3D Energy formula:
- Taurine
- Guarana seed extract
- L-Carnitine tartrate
- Glucuronolactone
- Inositol
- Panax Ginseng root extract
- Carbonated water
- Erythritol
- Citric acid
- Malic acid
- Sodium nitrate
- Natural flavors
- Artificial flavors
- Sucralose
- Sodium benzoate
- Potassium sorbate
- Acesulfame potassium
- Gum acacia
- Niacinamide
- D-Glucuronolactone
- Sodium chloride
- Calcium D pantothenate
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride
- Blue #1
- Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12)
Caffeine Content in 3D Energy Drink
3D has 200mg of caffeine in it and that’s half of the recommended daily limit for the average adult, 400mg.
So based on caffeine content alone, you can drink two cans of 3D a day.
Caffeine isn’t on the official list of ingredients though. Where did it come from then?
3D Energy’s caffeine comes from guarana seed extract. The caffeine content from that is also combined with a bunch of other ingredients that also provide energy boosts.
Guarana Extract in 3D Energy Drink
Guarana is a Brazilian plant that grows naturally in the Amazon. The extract that’s found in 3D is made by crushing the fruits from these plants into a powder.
Besides caffeine, guarana contains many stimulants like theophylline, theobromine. It also has a lot of antioxidants that are good for the body like tannins, saponins, and catechins.
The other health benefits of guarana include:
- Improved focus
- Energy boost
- Improved learning
- Easier weight loss
- Diarrhea and constipation relief
- Better heart health
- Pain relief
- Better skin
- Antibacterial properties
Taurine in 3D Energy Drink
Taurine is a naturally occurring amino sulfonic acid that’s important for the brain, eyes, and muscles.
That means you don’t normally have to take it via food, supplements, or drinks since your body can produce it. However, people with some illnesses need additional sources to help their health.
Outside of sodas and energy drinks, taurine can be found in meat, fish, and dairy products.
The taurine you have in your organs serves several functions which include:
- Maintaining hydration in cells
- Keeping electrolyte balance
- Forming bile salts
- Regulating calcium levels within the cells
- Supporting central nervous system functions
- Regulating antioxidants
- Maintaining immune system health
Here are the benefits of keeping adequate levels of taurine in your system:
- Lower chance of diabetes
- Improved heart health
- Better exercise performance
And contrary to what some people say, taurine doesn’t come from bulls. Well, not anymore at least. Today, Taurine is synthesized when used in energy drinks and sodas, making it safe for vegans.
Inositol in 3D Energy Drink
Inositol is vitamin B8 that’s produced within the body and derived from the carbohydrates you eat and drink. It’s also an important part of the structure of cell membranes and the production of insulin.
The best food sources to find inositol other than 3D Energy are grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables.
It’s said to be good for treating several mental health issues like panic disorder, depression, and bipolar disorder. This is because it’s capable of helping your body balance your brain chemicals.
Other examples of benefits of having inositol in your diet are:
- Less chance of experiencing Metabolic Syndrome
- Lower chance of gestational diabetes
- Better mood
- Improved blood sugar control
- Better blood pressure
- Weight loss
However, it’s also been reported that consuming large amounts of inositol can cause the following side effects:
- Nausea
- Gas
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
But in general, these side effects don’t happen to most people. And even then, the documentation of these side effects comes from studies done with people who were taking the supplement version.
Inositol is safe to consume. Taking supplements should be fine as long as you don’t stray from the recommended dosage. And the chances of you getting an overdose from just eating or drinking it are quite small.
Panax Ginseng Root Extract in 3D Energy Drink
Panax Ginseng Root is a plant usually associated with Chinese medicine. It comes in 3 colors (red, white, and fresh) and is harvested every 4 to 6 years depending on which one you’re talking about.
There are many kinds of ginseng in the world, but the most popular are the Asian and American ginseng.
Despite being subtypes of the same plant, they have different effects. American ginseng has a soothing effect while Asian ginseng has an invigorating effect.
Here are the benefits of consuming ginseng:
- Antioxidants that reduce inflammation
- Improved brain function
- Boost to immune system strength
- Increased energy levels
- Lowered blood sugar
Generally, ginseng is considered safe and without major side effects.
However, people who also take medication for diabetics should be careful to monitor their blood sugar levels so the ginseng doesn’t bring it too low.
Sodium Benzoate in 3D Energy Drink
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. You can find it in processed food and drinks. It’s also mildly controversial, since though some believe it’s safe others think it’s linked to health problems like cancer.
When manufactured, sodium benzoate is an odorless white powder. Otherwise, it’s a substance you can find in plants like cranberries, cinnamon, and tomatoes.
You can find sodium benzoate in the following products:
- Processed food
- Processed drinks
- Over the counter medication
- Prescription medication
As for its safety, these boil down to its nature as a chemical additive. That is, there are many who are wary of man-made chemicals being added to food and drink that are accessible to everyone.
The concerns about sodium benzoate’s safety as a chemical food additive are:
- It might become a cancer agent
- Inflammation
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children
- Bigger appetites/Decreased appetite control
- Oxidative stress
- Allergic reactions
However, there aren’t enough studies to prove any of these to be true. Specifically, there haven’t been enough studies involving human patients to confirm these findings.
On the other hand, there are also studies that indicate that sodium benzoate could have medicinal benefits. As of the writing, distributing sodium benzoate as a medication to patients with schizophrenia, panic disorder, and depression is a practice in the medical community.
Artificial Sweeteners in 3D Energy Drink
The artificial sweeteners in 3D Energy are Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K), and Erythritol.
Artificial sweeteners are sugar substitutes used to add some extra flavor to your foodstuffs. These often make food and drinks sweeter without adding to the calories as well. So they’re also good choices for people who’re trying to lose weight.
Sucralose is popularly known by its brand name “Splenda”. It’s also the most commonly used artificial sweetener in food. You can find it in thousands of products all over the world and even use it in baking and cooking if sugar doesn’t suit you.
It’s also up to 600 times sweeter than normal sugar and adds no calories to your food or drink.
Ace-K is an artificial sweetener that’s 200 times sweeter than sugar. Since it has a bitter taste on its own, it’s often mixed together with sucralose to mask it. It’s often found in protein shakes, soft drinks, and baked goods.
Erythritol is a kind of sugar alcohol (sweet carbohydrate). Like sucralose and Ace-K, it adds flavor to food and drink without adding calories. Or at least, the trace amount of calories it adds to the recipe is negligible.
For perspective, regular sugar adds 4 calories per gram. Whereas, Erythritol adds only .24 calories per gram.
All things considered, I wouldn’t blame you for thinking these sound too good to be true. You wouldn’t be alone either.
Several studies have been conducted to determine how safe these artificial sweeteners actually are. And although there aren’t enough to confirm or deny anything yet, the potential side effects are still worth considering.
The most notable side effects of artificial sweeteners include imbalances in gut bacteria. That means too many artificial sweeteners could result in metabolic problems you’ll see through weight gain,
That’s not to say their presence is a bad thing though; the FDA says they’re safe. So like with many things, moderation is the key.
Citric Acid in 3D Energy Drink
Citric acid is a preservative in 3D Energy. It’s naturally found in citrus fruits. It’s also mixed in candies and soft drinks because of its acidic nature and sour taste.
Although it’s naturally occurring, citric acid is manufactured when used in energy drinks and sodas. This is because getting everything from natural resources is expensive when the demand exceeds the supply.
Citric acid is also used as a preservative in medicine and dietary supplements. There, it stabilizes active ingredients and masks unpleasant tastes in chewable tablets.
The health benefits of taking citric acid are:
- Energy boost
- Better nutrient absorption
- Kidney stone prevention
This is nothing to panic over though. Like artificial sweeteners, citric acid has also been declared safe to consume by the FDA.
Final Thoughts
3D Energy has 200mg of caffeine per 16 fl.oz serving. It also has no sugar, artificial sweeteners, two kinds of preservatives, and many other ingredients that also give energy boosts.
3D derives most of its caffeine from guarana seed extract. Since guarana is a fruit that gets ground into a powder in order to get mixed into foods, drinks, and supplements, it’s perfectly natural. That also means it’s safe to consume as long as you don’t overdo it.
Artificial sweeteners are something to be careful of since they might cause digestive problems if taken in excess. However, research has yet to come up with enough evidence to prove claims of health problems being connected to them.
The other ingredients that help 3D give you the energy boost you bought it for are inositol, taurine, and ginseng. The first two are synthesized for their use in the food industry but are considered safe anyway. The last is a plant that can be found in many forms and kinds in America and Asia.
Honestly, that’s not bad at all. Although I can see how the high caffeine content can be a problem for some, everything else holds up well under a microscope.
The same can be said for other brands. It’s not loaded with sugar like a lot of them are even though it has more caffeine than average. And if you check the nutritional facts, you’d see it’s low on calories as well. Not a bad deal if you ask me!