Celsius Energy Drink is quickly making a name for itself in the world of fitness nutrition, and for good reason.
Free of sugar and preservatives, and formulated with natural flavors and plant extracts, Celsius is marketed as a healthier (and safer) alternative for athletes who are always looking for that extra jolt of power when they hit the gym.
So does Celsius owe its success to its proprietary formulation, or is it all thanks to clever marketing?
In this article I will be analyzing some nutrition facts, breaking down ingredient lists, and answering the question: “Does Celsius Energy Drink truly deliver on its promises, and above all, is it safe to drink on a regular basis?”
As a brief overview, Celsius Energy Drink delivers a massive dose of caffeine, some natural plant extracts, and more vitamins than you actually need. It is also marketed as a thermogenic supplement guaranteed to help you lose those inches.
Read on for an overview of the nutrition content in Celsius Energy Drink, see how a can of Celsius might affect your day and your exercise, and understand exactly how Celsius Energy Drink claims to help you lose fat.
Contents
Nutrient Content in Celsius Energy Drink
| Nutrient | Amount | Percent Daily Value (%DV) |
| Calories | 10 | – |
| Total Carbohydrate | 2g | 1% |
| Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin | 1.7mg | 131% |
| Vitamin B3 or Niacin (as niacinamide) | 20mg | 125% |
| Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid (as calcium d-pantothenate) | 10mg | 200% |
| Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine (as pyridoxine hydrochloride) | 2mg | 118% |
| Vitamin B7 or Biotin | 300mcg | 1000% |
| Vitamin B12 or Cobalamin (as cyanocobalamin) | 6mg | 250% |
| Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid | 60mg | 67% |
| Calcium carbonate | 50mg | 4% |
| Chromium (chelate) | 50mcg | 143% |
For an interpretation of the Percent Daily Value, check out my analysis later on in this article.
Celsius Energy Drink Ingredients
Aside from those listed in the table above, Celsius also contains:
- MetaPlus® Proprietary Blend
- Taurine
- Guarana extract (seed)
- Caffeine (caffeine anhydrous)
- Glucuronolactone
- Ginger extract (root)
- Green Tea Leaf extract (15% EGCG)
- Carbonated Filtered Water
- Citric Acid
- Fruit and Vegetable Juice
- Sucralose
- Natural Flavor
Celsius also ensures that their products DO NOT have:
- Sugar
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Aspartame
- Preservatives
- Artificial Colors or Flavors
For more information on each ingredient in Celsius, check out my article on Celsius Energy Drink Caffeine and Ingredients, which will definitely be helpful.
Caffeine in Celsius Energy Drink
A can of Celsius Energy Drink supposedly contains 200mg of caffeine.
This caffeine content primarily comes in the form of caffeine anhydrous, a compound that can be dangerous when consumed in large quantities.
Any error in measurement during formulation can potentially be lethal as just one teaspoon of caffeine anhydrous is equivalent to 28 cups of coffee.
Overdosing on caffeine anhydrous poses the same sides effects as regular caffeine.
Celsius also contains green tea and guarana, which also contain caffeine, although the exact amount is not stated.
Celsius Heat has a slightly higher amount of caffeine with 300mg in a single can, probably due to it being marketed as a “workout drink” instead of a “fitness drink” like the other versions. For more details about Celsius ‘Heat’, refer to my list further down in this page.
Sugar in Celsius Energy Drink
Celsius Energy Drink is entirely sugar-free.
However, if you are watching your carb intake, note that Celsius has 2 grams of total carbohydrate listed on the label.
I highly suspect that this hidden carbohydrate content may possibly come from the natural sugars present in the ingredient listed as “Fruit and Vegetable Juice”.
Please consult your physician if you are unsure whether these 2 grams will make a difference.
Sucralose
Sucralose is an artificial sugar used as a sweetener in Celsius. It is supposedly 600 times sweeter than sucrose, while bearing no nutritional value.
Even though artificial sweeteners are often marketed as the healthier alternative to regular processed sugar, several studies have shown that this could not be further from the truth.
Artificial or non-caloric sweeteners (like sucralose) have been linked to several health problems ranging from glucose intolerance to obesity.
In one study, sucralose was observed to impair insulin sensitivity in the presence of carbohydrates. Keep in mind that 2 grams of total carbohydrate are listed on the label.
Note that Celsius ‘Stevia’, a sub-brand of Celsius, replaces sucralose with Stevia as a sweetener. Read on for more information on it below.
Vitamins in Celsius Energy Drinks
Celsius contains seven essential vitamins, namely vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B12, and vitamin C.
| Vitamin | Function |
| Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin | Helps in the digestion and absorption of nutrients; maintains tissue health |
| Vitamin B3 or Niacin (as niacinamide) | Converts nutrients to energy; repairs DNA; supports system as antioxidant |
| Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid (as calcium d-pantothenate) | Breaks down fats, proteins and coenzyme A; promotes healthy skin |
| Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine (as pyridoxine hydrochloride) | Supports the central nervous system; ensures smooth metabolism |
| Vitamin B7 or Biotin | Metabolizes fats, carbohydrates, and protein |
| Vitamin B12 or Cobalamin (as cyanocobalamin) | Generates red blood cells; maintains brain function and nerve tissue health |
| Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid | Acts as an antioxidant; maintains bones, skin, and blood vessels |
Note that the vitamins B3, B5, B6, and B12 in Celsius Energy Drink are artificial vitamins, which means they are chemically synthesized products.
For example, regular vitamin B3 is called niacin, but the synthesized vitamin B3 is called niacinamide, which is the one used in Celsius.
People have questioned the safety of the other synthetic vitamins, but the general consensus is that they are chemically identical to the natural forms. WebMD discusses the safety of synthetic vitamins here.
Note that synthetic vitamin B12 in Celsius is cyanocobalamin, which contains minute amounts of cyanide. If you are allergic to cobalt or have Leber’s disease, cyanocobalamin is dangerous to you.
MetaPlus® Proprietary Blend in Celsius Energy Drink
Celsius’s MetaPlus® Proprietary Blend consists of taurine, guarana extract, caffeine anhydrous, ginger extract, green tea leaf extract, and glucuronolactone.
Here’s a brief overview of what each ingredient does:
- Taurine
- Supports the function of nervous system and eyes
- Helps form bile salts
- Helps in stroke and cardiovascular disease prevention
- Guarana Extract
- Antioxidant
- Has a high caffeine content
- Caffeine Anhydrous
- Caffeine in powder form, but stronger
- Ginger Extract
- Green Tea Leaf Extract with EGCG
- A bit of caffeine
- Antioxidant
- Reportedly helps with weight loss
- Glucuronolactone
- Increases energy
- Improves alertness
- Promotes cardiovascular health
What is Glucuronolactone?
Glucuronolactone is a naturally-occurring molecule that is found in small quantities in our body, primarily in the connective tissues. Several clinical studies show that when taken as a supplement, it may promote cardiovascular health, enhance mental alertness and improve athletic performance.
However, as the video above suggests, many of these studies are empirical or anecdotal in nature, and may not be enough to conclusively determine its overall efficacy and safety.
While there are many controversies surrounding Glucuronolactone, many of them have been debunked.
Moreover, if Glucuronolactone is naturally produced in our bodies, how harmful can it actually be, right? Worse-case-scenario, it does absolutely nothing.
That being said, more research needs to be conducted on Glucuronolactone before you decide to rely on it for its supposed benefits.
Percent Daily Value of Celsius Energy Drink
Percent Daily Value on the nutrient label states how many percent of the daily intake amount is contained in a single can of Celsius.
For example, if the label says it contains 1000% of Vitamin B7, it means that one can of Celsius contains 1000% or ten times the Vitamin B7 that you need in one day.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet plan, the usual measurement for healthy adults. It is a good benchmark for intake reference, no matter what diet you are currently following.
Notice that for six out of the seven vitamins, the Percent Daily Value is more than 100%. According to Mayo Clinic:
- Low: 5% or less
- High: 20% or more
Our bodies can only hold a certain amount of vitamins at a time, whatever’s left will be flushed out of our system and go to waste. So too much of a good thing is not always a good thing.
Some studies have even shown that taking vitamins in excess can potentially be harmful to the body.
In short, a can of Celsius Energy Drink contains more vitamins than you actually need. But while vitamin overdose is rare, it may be another reason for you to limit your intake of Celsius.
Celsius Energy Drink Sub-Brands
Celsius has several sub-brands with minor differences compared to Celsius Originals. I have listed the differences below briefly.
Most of these have both carbonated and non-carbonated versions. I won’t be listing all the flavors here because the list is quite extensive.
Celsius ‘Heat’
- Contains 300mg of caffeine
- Contains 2g L-citrulline
- Has 15 calories
Celsius ‘Stevia’
- Has 15 calories
- Uses Stevia instead of sucralose as sweetener
Celsius ‘BCAAs’
- Contains the BCAAs (L-leucine, L-valine, L-isoleucine)
- Contains 15mg Vitamin D3
- Contains 15mg Magnesium
- Contains 100mg of caffeine
- Has 15 calories
Celsius ‘On-The-Go’
- Celsius but in powder form
Can I Drink More Than One Can of Celsius Energy Drink in A Day?
It is dangerous to drink more than 1 can of Celsius a day.
DO NOT exceed (2) servings a day.
NOT RECOMMENDED for people who are caffeine sensitive...
Celsius’ Nutrition Label
Two cans of Celsius Energy Drink would definitely add up to recommended daily caffeine intake set by the FDA, which is 400mg.
If you drink more than one can in a single day, you may have a higher chance of experiencing “caffeine overdose”, a condition which typically presents itself as the following symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Shakiness
- Anxiousness
- Increased Heart Rate
- Stomachaches
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Dysphoria
Although the can says 2 is the limit, my advice is to limit your consumption of Celsius Energy Drink to only one can a day.
Does Celsius damage liver?
Celsius is a non-alcoholic beverage that will not harm your liver. Besides that, Celsius is a great alternative to sugary energy drinks.
It contains healthy ingredients such as green tea and ginger and is low in calories and sugar. However, excessive consumption of any drink, including Celsius, can result in weight gain and obesity, increasing your likelihood of developing fatty liver disease.
Does Celsius Energy Drink Help Burn Fat?
Celsius Energy Drink claims to help burn fat when coupled with exercise and a healthy diet.
Celsius alone does not produce weight loss in the absence of a healthy diet and moderate exercise.
Celsius
Drinking Celsius with no exercise will not help you lose weight.
As for the nitty-gritty details as to how Celsius helps lose weight, Celsius insists that it is their combo of MetaPlus® Proprietary Blend and other ingredients that induces thermogenesis to burn more fat.
In conclusion, Celsius may help you lose weight faster— if you exercise.
How Does Thermogenesis Work?
Thermogenesis, or heat-generation, raises the body’s temperature, which forces the body to burn fat.
When you exercise, your body metabolizes fat to give you energy. Fat molecules are converted into heat energy, which you expel through sweat. Thermogenic foods enhance this metabolic process, allowing you to burn more fat than usual.
However, it’s important to note that some studies have argued that thermogenesis from energy drinks may be caused by caffeine alone, not necessarily the natural extracts that may be present in them.
When Should I Drink Celsius Energy Drink?
Celsius Energy Drink is best taken before a workout, or before any strenuous physical activity where extra energy may be required.
Celsius is marketed as “a fitness drink that accelerates metabolism, burns body fat and provides healthy energy”. The amount of caffeine in the product seems pretty likely to deliver the boost that is necessary to improve your physical performance.
However, it probably isn’t a good idea to drink Celsius at night before you go to sleep due to the presence of caffeine in the product.
Why is CELSIUS banned by the NCAA?
Celsius drink is a thermogenic drink, which means it can assist the body in burning more calories. This can give athletes a competitive advantage because they will have more energy and endurance.
As a result, it is speculated that the NCAA prohibits Celsius because it contains a prohibited substance known as synephrine. The NCAA has banned the stimulant synephrine because it is thought to give athletes an unfair advantage.
Conclusion
Celsius has its upsides and downsides, but overall, it’s pretty good as far as energy drinks go.
However, the excessive vitamins, the presence of sucralose, and the high levels of caffeine are notable points to keep in mind.
The mysterious compound known as Glucuronolactone may not be a cause for concern since the European Food Safety Authority has concluded that the amount of Glucuronolactone in energy drinks is not nearly enough to cause any harm.
Would I recommend Celsius?
At the end of the day, the ingredients speak for themselves, and it’s up to you to decide whether the benefits outweigh the risks or vice versa. So yeah, I’d recommend Celsius, but with a certain level of reservation.
Why not try it for yourself? This, I think, aside from doing some good old research, is one of the best ways to evaluate whether an energy drink truly lives up to its claims.
Other Articles
- Celsius Energy Drink Caffeine and Ingredients
- Is Celsius Energy Drink Vegan?
- Does Celsius Energy Drink Actually Work?