The basic components of an energy drink are usually stimulating factors like caffeine, basic sugar, and certain amino acids along with a conditional amino acid e.g taurine. Energy drinks mostly have effects of caffeine and sugar, all other components are secondary.
Creatine is an organic substance that is present in muscle cells naturally. The creatine in our body is stored in the form of phosphocreatine and is utilized as a source of energy to produce more ATP.
Almost all energy drinks have a very minute quantity of creatine (0.8 – 1.2mg) which is also considered an activity enhancer or stimulator just like caffeine.
This article gives you a detailed guide about energy drinks containing creatine and its effects. So let’s jump in:
Contents
What is Creatine And Why Is It In Energy Drinks?
Creatine is one of the non-essential amino acids which is present in our body in muscles and the brain as well. It can be stored in our body in the form of phosphocreatine in muscle cells and can be utilized as a source of energy.
Creatine is artificially present in almost all energy drinks, certain additive supplements for workouts, and soft drinks. It directly performs a stimulative action on the central nervous system and because of this, it is considered an excitant or a stimulant.
Which Energy Drinks Have Creatine?
Here is the list of some of the energy drinks with creatine:
- Bang Energy Drink
- C4 Energy Drink
- BPI Sports Energy Drink
Now let’s discuss them in detail.
Bang Energy Drink
Bang Energy Drink is considered the most appropriate energy drink for diets and workouts because it is deprived of sugar and calories. Still, it must be taken in moderation because of its very high caffeine content (300mg). Almost all of the flavors of Bang energy have creatine in them.
Presence Of Super Creatine In Bang Energy Drink
Bang Energy Drink has creatine present in the form of super creatine, which is simply creatine bonded to L-Leucine (an essential amino acid). The manufacturers of Bang energy consider Super Creatine as the only water-stable creatine in the world.
Super creatine is considered to boost mental concentration and because of its water-stable property can easily pass the blood-brain barriers
What Amount Of Creatine Does Bang Energy Drink Contain?
The normal limit of creatine intake is five grams (5g) per day. A typical can (16oz) of Bang energy drink has normally 4-32.5mg of creatine present in it. It is recommended that you limit yourself to one can a day to avoid exceeding the recommended daily creatine intake level.
C4 Energy Drink
C4 is an abbreviation for cellulcor 4 which is an energy drink normally used for pre-workout sessions. It has some beneficial ingredients that aid in workout sessions by helping increase the consumer’s muscle power and size simultaneously.
Ingredients In C4 Energy Drink
C4 energy drink contains the following ingredients:
- Beta-alanine (an amino acid)
- Creatine nitrate (creatine molecules associated with the nitrate group)
- Arginine (an amino acid)
- α-ketoglutarate (a natural substance)
- An energy complex containing caffeine and theacrine (an organic form of purine)
Presence Of Creatine In The Form Of Creatine Nitrate In C4 Energy Drink
The combination of creatine with nitrate forms a compound consumed by the body. Eventually, after its intake, it starts splitting into nitrate and creatine individually and is absorbed like this. About 1g of Creatine Nitrate is present in various products of Cellulcor 4 or C4.
BPI Sports Energy Drink
BPI is an abbreviation of “Be Powerful Incorporated” which helps in enhancing strength by reducing fatigue and anxiety. It is an energy drink with no flavor but aids in muscle growth and power.
Presence Of Creatine In The Form Of Micronized Creatine In BPI Sports Energy Drink
Creatine solely acts as the major sports supplement which is present in various energy drinks too. In BPI Sports it is present in the form of Micronized Creatine which is 100 percent pure but atomized by the reduction of bigger creatine molecules into smaller ones to enhance the absorption.
About 5g of creatine is present in Micronized Creatine BPI Sport Energy Drink which acts instantly by absorbing into the muscle cells aiding in more power and strength to muscle cells.
| Energy Drinks with Creatine | Creatine Combination | Amount of Creatine |
| Bang Energy Drink | Super Creatine (bonded to L-leucine) | 4-32.5 mg |
| C4 Energy Drink | Creatine Nitrate (Nitrate bonding) | 1 g |
| BPI Sports Energy Drink | Micronized Creatine (Creatine Monohydrate) | 5 g |
Creatine Compounds In Energy Drinks
Some energy drinks contain creatine to aid in muscular activity. Creatine is present in energy drinks in combination with other elements. Following are some combinations:
Creatine Monohydrate
One of the most famous types of creatine is in the form of creatine monohydrate. When creatine combines with one molecule of water it becomes creatine monohydrate which contains about 90% of creatine. This helps in making muscle cells more hydrated.
Creatine MagnaPower
Creatine combines with another important nutrient that enhances athletic activities e.g magnesium, to form Creatine MagnaPower.
Creatine Alpha-ketoglutarate
The combination of creatine with alpha-ketoglutarate, a prototype for glutamine, benefits us with the effect of both glutamine and creatine. When bodybuilders take creatine monohydrate, most of them are affected with diarrhea, so creatine AKG (alpha-ketoglutarate) aids them through its easy absorption.
Creatine Anhydrous
When the water part from creatine monohydrate is removed then creatine anhydrous is formed which has no color but helps in the formation of phosphocreatine and adenosine triphosphate- a power source of energy.
Health Hazards Of Using Creatine
As we know that creatine is a naturally occurring compound but still this never predicts that it is safe to use. Even though many healthy people utilize it without any health issues, consuming an excessive amount of creatine might have some negative reactions including:
- Increase in weight
- Difficulty in Breathing
- Excess diarrhea, vomiting, or even nausea
- A feeling of tiredness or fatigue
- High-grade fever
- Profound headache
- Kidney-related issues
- Stomach upset
Energy Drinks With Creatine FAQs
Q) What Is The Best Drink To Have With Creatine?
Answer: In most energy drinks, creatine is present in the form of creatine monohydrate. The various supplements of Creatine or creatine monohydrate are usually present in a powder form and they should be mixed in water, tea, or any type of juice. If the water is warm or tea is used to dissolve creatine powder then mixing would be easy.
Q) Is It Okay To Have Caffeine With Creatine?
Answer: Athletes or people who go to the gym regularly require profound fitness to achieve their goals. To fulfill their body requirements and to meet up with the physical needs of high training and workouts, most of them will turn to supplements like caffeine (a stimulator) and creatine (a source of energy) to help in gaining more power and strength. In short, yes, Caffeine and creatine might be taken in combination.
Q) Why Is Creatine Present In Energy Drinks?
Answer: Creatine is an organic substance that is naturally present in muscle cells. The creatine in our body is stored in the form of phosphocreatine and is utilized as a source of energy to produce more ATP. Creatine is present in small amounts in various energy drinks. It has a stimulative action on our body and it can act on our brain cells and increase our level of alertness.
Q) What Are Some Side Effects Of Consuming Creatine?
Answer: Creatine is present in muscle cells naturally and acts as a stimulant. But excess creatine might affect your body in many ways. It may result in muscle cramping and even severe muscle strain. Creatine if taken in excess amounts results in an increase in body weight, stomach-related issues, elevated blood pressure and even it may result in kidney failure. So, it must be consumed in moderation.
Conclusion
- Creatine is an organic substance that is present in muscle cells naturally. It can be stored in our body in the form of phosphocreatine in muscle cells and can be utilized as a source of energy.
- Creatine is artificially present in almost all energy drinks in a small amount, as well as in certain additive supplements for workouts and soft drinks.
- Bang Energy Drink contains creatine and is considered the most appropriate energy drink for diets and workouts because it lacks sugar and calories.
- Creatine might be present in combination with other compounds like creatine AKG, creatine anhydrous, and creatine monohydrate.
- Along with benefits, creatine has some health hazards including bloating, weight gain, and kidney diseases among others.