There’s no denying that most gym-goers and even athletes love the C4 Energy drink because it gives them the energy booster they need to power through their workouts and competitions.
I bet you’re wondering what’s inside this energy drink that makes it so special?
In short, the C4 Energy drink contains zero calories and sugar, but with 200mg of caffeine per 16 fl.oz can. It’s also packed with B vitamins and the drink’s unique explosive performance energy blend.
If you want to get a more detailed analysis of each of its ingredients and how its caffeine content can affect your health, let’s get started.
Contents
Nutritional Facts Of C4 Energy Drink
Have a quick look at the nutritional values of 16 fl.oz can of C4 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 |
Calories In C4 Energy
The good news is that C4 Energy is calorie-free. If you’re watching your weight and cutting back on unnecessary calories, C4 is a good energy drink to include in your diet.
For reference, health experts recommend a daily limit of 2,000 – 2,500 calories, depending on your height, weight, and age.
While a can of C4 Energy won’t leave you worrying about your daily calorie intake, this also means that most of the energy you’ll be getting from this drink is from its caffeine content.
That said, I still think the zero-calorie nature of this drink is a great bonus. It’s definitely a healthier alternative than other high-calorie energy drinks out there.
If you want to learn about how to track your calories, check out the video below:
Sugar In C4 Energy
Besides having no calories, a 16 fl.oz can of C4 Energy is also sugar-free.
Did you know that the recommended daily maximum sugar intake is only 25g for women and 36g for men?
This daily limit is set by the AHA since there are many health risks associated with sugar, such as:
- Acne
- Weight gain
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Depression
Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about the sugar in C4 Energy affecting your diet since they aren’t any! However, you may want to look out for the use of artificial sweeteners in this drink.
I’ll explain more about it further down below.
Vitamins In C4 Energy
In general, B vitamins are the key ingredients that help keep your body functions healthy.
The table below shows the purpose and tolerable intake of each vitamin B found in C4 Energy Drink:
| Types of B Vitamins | Purpose | Tolerable Upper Intake Level |
| Vitamin B3 (niacin) | Stabilizes energy and promotes good skin | 35mg |
| Vitamin B6 | Energy storing from protein and carbs, the formation of red blood cells | 100mg |
| Vitamin B12 | Breaks down energy from food, structures red blood cells, and stabilizes the nervous system. | – |
You can read more about these B vitamins in Harvard’s article here.
Ingredients of C4 Energy Drink
The C4 Original Carbonated drink (16 fl.oz) contains 6.73g of Explosive Performance Energy Blend:
- Caffeine anhydrous (200mg)
- CamoSyn Beta-alanine
- Beta power Betaine Anhydrous
- N-acetyl-l-tyrosine
- Citrulline malate
This drink also includes:
- Carbonated water
- Citric Acid
- Natural flavors
- Artificial flavors
- Potassium sorbate
- Sucralose
- Acesulfame potassium
Explosive Performance Energy Blend Of C4 Energy Drink
Caffeine Anhydrous
Caffeine Anhydrous is produced from the seeds and leaves of coffee plants. It’s more potent and more concentrated than coffee since the caffeine goes through a dehydration process.
This ingredient is beneficial for athletic performance, including weight loss. So it’s no wonder that you can find this in a can of C4 Energy drink.
CamoSyn® Beta-Alanine
Beta-alanine is a non-essential amino acid used for improving athletic performance by building lean muscle mass. It’s also naturally produced by your body.
According to my research, it’s found that it can serve as a buffer to delay the onset of lactic acid and muscle fatigue which builds endurance and improves recovery.
It’s also important to note that the recommended dose of beta-alanine is around 5g a day. Excessive amounts can trigger tingling in the skin.
That said, experts believe that this ingredient is generally safe and effective in boosting your performance. Just remember to control your consumption.
BetaPower® Betaine Anhydrous
Betaine Anhydrous is a compound that your body uses to knock down harmful substances. It can help promote a healthy liver and improve your overall athletic performance.
Its benefits also include improving your oral health so you can find this ingredient in mouthwash or toothpaste. Some research also finds that it’s effective for dry mouth symptoms.
N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
Tyrosine is an amino acid that your body uses to make chemical messengers for the brain’s mental alertness.
It’s found that taking Tyrosine is good for memory improvement and multi-tasking. This ingredient can regulate stress levels even during noise-induced situations.
That said, adequate doses for tyrosine should be around 100mg to 300mg (0.1 to 0.3g). Although you can’t really tell just how much of this ingredient is present in a can of C4 Energy, I’m sure its amount is already approved as safe to consume.
Citrulline Malate
Citrulline Malate, or L-Citrulline, is an amino acid that our body can produce naturally. You can find it in foods such as watermelon, pumpkin, cucumber, gourds, and even dietary supplements.
The benefits of Citrulline include promoting blood vessels and lowering blood pressure, which makes it a great ingredient if you already have a heart condition.
Research also shows that 8g of this ingredient may significantly reduce fatigue and improve exercise performance.
How Much Caffeine Is In C4 Energy Drink?
A 16 fl.oz can of C4 Energy drink contains 200mg of caffeine, which leans more towards the highly caffeinated spectrum of energy drinks.
Caffeine is a great ingredient that helps improve your memory and mental functioning. That explains why you feel more refresh, awake and alert after drinking a cup of coffee.
For guidance, energy drinks generally contain around 50mg to 300mg caffeine. The original C4 Energy has 200mg caffeine, and this much caffeine can surely help increase your energy levels for better physical performance.
That said, it’s important to note that the FDA strictly emphasizes that the maximum daily intake of caffeine should only be 400mg.
For reference, the range of caffeine in all four series of C4 Energy Drink goes from 120mg to 300mg. The variant with the littlest caffeine content is C4 Natural Zero, while C4 Ultimate has heaps of caffeine, almost 300mg per can.
While all of the C4 Energy drinks have a caffeine content that falls below the daily limit, it’s still best to be mindful of your overall caffeine intake throughout the day.
The 200mg of caffeine in a can of C4 Energy means that you’re only one more can away from wiping out your daily caffeine intake. That said, regularly overconsuming caffeine can lead to side effects such as:
- Restlessness
- Jittery feeling
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Rapid
- Palpitations
- Dehydration
- Anxiety
- Dependency
A high caffeine content may also lead to a caffeine crash which will cause unnecessary headaches, excessive tiredness, and irritability. It mainly happens when you consume too much caffeine more than you should, especially if you’re sleep-deprived.
Thus, it’s definitely best to be mindful and consume C4 Energy moderately so you won’t suffer its side effects.
Does C4 Energy Drink Contain Artificial Sweeteners?
A 16 fl.oz can of C4 Energy drink contains artificial sweeteners, namely Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium, to enhance its flavor.
Although Sucralose is 400 to 700 times sweeter than regular sugar, our body doesn’t break down this sugar as it’s noncaloric.
Despite its slightly controversial usage, The European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) has approved the claims of sucralose in regulating sugar levels.
But it’s important to note that there’s still no evidence that this ingredient is effective for weight loss.
Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K) is also a calorie-free artificial sweetener, around 200 times sweeter than sugar itself.
That said, the FDA recommends limiting your Ace-K intake to 15mg per kg of body weight (23 packets) a day. This is already a large amount, so regularly going over the limit may cause health problems.
Although some experts say these claims are conclusive, it’s still best to practice self-control with everything that we consume.
Can I Get A Caffeine Addiction From Drinking C4 Energy?
Given the scientific definition of addiction, caffeine itself isn’t addicting. However, caffeine dependence is real, and you may risk being the victim if you regularly consume highly caffeinated energy drinks such as C4 Energy.
If you find it hard to start your day without caffeine or you can’t seem to get rid of your caffeine cravings, then these are definitely signs of being caffeine dependent.
Apart from that, caffeine withdrawal also takes a toll on your health. According to research, withdrawals may trigger mental health problems, such as depression and insomnia.
For my personal preference, 50mg to 100mg of caffeine is my ideal amount because having more than that can cause me to end up with a nasty migraine.
Thus, if the 200mg of caffeine in C4 Energy is too much for you, you can always opt for the Natural Zero version. I find that although it has fewer amounts of caffeine, it still does a pretty good job for an energy drink.
How Long Does C4 Energy Drink Last In Your System?
The answer to this question depends ultimately on your caffeine tolerance.
It’s important to note that caffeine has a half-life that lasts around five to six hours. Half-life means that this is how much time it needs for half of the caffeine you consume to leave your bloodstream. It may take twelve hours to get rid of the remaining half.
So with a can of C4 Energy, you’ll still have about 100mg of caffeine left five hours after your consumption. Hence, I highly recommend avoiding having this drink at least six hours before your bedtime.
Having a highly caffeinated drink close to your bedtime hour may disrupt your sleeping patterns. While energy drinks can supply you with a good boost, a proper sleeping schedule is still needed to ensure a smooth performance.
That said, I suggest sticking to a maximum of two cans of C4 Energy per day to avoid doing more harm than good to your overall health. If I were you, I would have other caffeinated beverages with lesser caffeine content, such as herbal tea or regular coffee, if I feel like one can of this drink isn’t enough.
Final Words
C4 Energy drink is indeed a healthy choice for an energy drink as it contains beneficial ingredients. Not to mention, it’s sugar and calorie-free. However, you may want to be cautious of its high caffeine content.
If you’re someone with high caffeine metabolism, the 200mg of caffeine in a 16 fl.oz can of C4 Energy will give you the boost you need for your next high-intensity workout. Plus, it contains B vitamins and a performance-boosting blend which is definitely an added advantage.
But if you’re not used to a high amount of caffeine, it’s best to stick to energy drinks that have lower caffeine content, or you can try out the C4 Natural Zero version as it only has 120mg per 12 fl.oz can.
Overall, as long as you’re mindful of your caffeine consumption, I’m sure you’ll enjoy C4 Energy!