Full Throttle is something of a permanent bigwig in the energy drink market standing shoulder to shoulder with giants in the same industry. Statistics show that its sales reached approximately 22.92 million dollars within the last thirteen weeks of 2020 alone. However, what makes up this clever formula that has dominated the caffeinated beverage sector?
Full Throttle energy drinks have a whopping 230 calories, 160mg of caffeine with a lot of vitamins in the mix. Containing about 55g of sugar, this energy drink takes the word sweet on an entirely different level.
Whip out your notebooks and get your pens ready because in this article, we’re about to dive deep into the caffeine and ingredients of Full Throttle energy drinks.
Contents
About Full Throttle Energy Drinks
Formulated by The Coca-Cola Company in the year 2004, Full Throttle’s main target market was mainly motor enthusiasts in the US and Canada. With its mother company’s reputation, this energy drink brand quickly proliferated the aisles of local and international supermarkets.
In 2015, however, Coca-Cola decided to form a partnership with Monster Beverage Corporation. The agreement entails the transfer of Full Throttle ownership rights to the said company. Not only that but NOS and other smaller energy drink brands will be under the jurisdiction of the other party.
In exchange, Monster Beverage will yield ownership to every non-energy drink business under their wings including Hubert’s lemonade and Hansen’s products. This drastic change even resulted in the formula replacement of Full Throttle beverages and its caffeine content decreased from 200mg to the present 160mg.
Currently, Full Throttle’s target market involves young people with the age range of 20 to 30 years old. It doesn’t mean that people of varying degrees can’t enjoy a splash of this fresh beverage though!
Full Throttle Ingredients
One can of Full Throttle contains 16.fl.oz. of jam-packed liquid that is enough to get you through the day and beyond. Curious what are the components that make Full Throttle a fun carbonated drink to take?
I’ve divided the ingredients of Full throttle energy drinks into different sections below.
| Category | Ingredients |
| General | Carbonated Water |
| Energizers | Caffeine |
| Acids | Citric Acid |
| Acid Neutralizers | Sodium Citrate |
| Vitamins | B3, B5, B6, B12 |
| Sugar & Sweeteners | Sugar, Fructose Corn Syrup, D-Ribose |
| Flavors & Emulsifiers | Natural and Artificial Flavors, Gum Acacia, Glycerol Ester of Rosin |
| Colorings | Yellow 5, Blue 1, Red 40 |
Acid
Full Throttle’s main ingredient is carbonated water but it also contains a secondary main component called citric acid. Although often organically sourced from different fruits and vegetables, it is added to almost all products in the market due to its preservative properties. It also adds a sour taste to the beverage making it taste fruity and fresh!
Another upside to citric acid is its antioxidant properties – the National Cancer Institute posits that it is an effective way to ward off free radical damage. Still, as it has acidic properties, citric acid should still be regulated to prevent negative effects.
Although generally considered as a weak organic acid, studies show that too much consumption of this compound can yield tooth decay. Additionally, if you’re prone to allergies then I recommend you take beverages without citric acid.
Acid Neutralizers
pH neutralizers exist to counter and regulate the effects of acidic ingredients. In Full Throttle’s case, it contains Sodium citrate which neutralizes citric acid. This helps in converting glucose into lactic acid, and basically vital in energy drinks because of its alkalinizing properties.
It has a sour and salty flavor and usually provides a tarty aftertaste to commercial beverages.
Flavors and Emulsifiers
Full Throttle Energy drinks contain both natural and artificial flavors.
Natural flavors mainly come from fruit juices, which are the energy drink’s main flavor lineups. Artificial flavors on the other hand are defined as:
“The term artificial flavor or artificial flavoring means any substance, the function of which is to impart flavor, which is not derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof.”
Food and Drug Administration
Emulsifiers, on the other hand, are particular food additives responsible for combining different liquids with varying viscosity. This makes the energy drink stable and reduces crystallization or separation. Gum acacia specifically, is a type of emulsifier with a long history in the production market. This is because aside from being organic, it is also vegan and kosher-friendly.
Artificial Colorings
Artificial colorings are rampantly used in the whole industry because of well – its color. This type of additive gives added pigment to a certain product further enhancing its attractiveness and appeal.
Full Throttle has three particular color additives: Yellow 5, Blue 1, and Red 40. All three of these are FDA-approved and safe for human consumption.
How Nutritious is Full Throttle?
Energy drinks are not only taken for their caffeinated kick, but also for the benefits they will give to the body. Based on a 2,000 calorie diet, this is the nutritional label of each can of Full Throttle Energy Drinks:
| Nutrients | Per 16. fl. oz Full Throttle Can |
| Calories | 220 cal |
| Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 160mg (7%) |
| Carbohydrate | 58g (19%) |
| Sugar | 58g |
| Protein | 0g |
Personally, I don’t think it has that much going on from the vitamin and mineral perspective. There are quite a lot of energy drinks in the market that packs a much better amount of supplements. Still, Full Throttle is one of the few energy drinks containing sodium, which is helpful when recovering from heavy physical activity.
However, it definitely has enough sugar and caffeine to help you pull out several all-nighters. More on that later, though.
Vitamins in Full Throttle
Full Throttle Energy drinks have quite a few vitamins in their shed, and the table below shows how much is present in each can, as well as its benefits and recommended everyday intake.
| Vitamins | Amount per 16 fl. oz of Full Throttle | Recommended Daily Intake | Benefits |
| Niacin | 40mg | Male-16mg Female-14mg | Turns food into the necessary energy. Also contributes to skin and digestive health. |
| Pantothenic Acid | 6mg | 5mg | A vital component in coenzymes responsible for breaking down fatty acids. |
| Pyridoxine | 4.08g | 1.3 – 1.7mg | Mainly used for red blood cell production and nerve function. |
| Cyanocobalamin | 12mcg | 2.4mcg | Essential for making protein and stimulates fat and carbohydrate digestion. |
You may notice that Full Throttle is packed with vitamin B in general – this is a vital ingredient in the body for a healthier well-being.
Check out the video below to get to know the symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency you should never ignore:
Sugar in Full-Throttle
One 16.fl.oz. can of Full Throttle energy drink has 55g worth of sugar content. I don’t know about you but this is entirely off the charts when looking at any beverage perspective.
Studies made by the American Heart Association suggest that:
- Men should limit their added sugar intake to 36 grams. This is equal to about 9 teaspoons per day.
- Women should take no more than 24g or 6 teaspoon for their daily sugar consumption.
Considering the sugar content of Full Throttle, you can definitely surpass the daily sugar limits by leaps and bounds. This is one downside as to why I try to drink this citrus beverage moderately. And by moderately I mean half a can on days I crave their fizzy caffeine.
Sugar-sweetened beverages like Full Throttle pose a great health risk to people who cannot control their diet. While sugar may feel like fireworks in your tongue and gives you that added rush, too much of it can yield several health implications.
These include but are not limited to:
- Weight gain
- Heart disease
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Mood disorder
- Tooth decay
- Sugar crash
- Skin aging
D-Ribose
Aside from the regular sugar and fructose in every Full Throttle can, one ingredient worth noting is its D-Ribose component. What exactly is D-Ribose?
D-Ribose is an organic sugar molecule that supports performance and physical activities. The can itself does not specify how much D-Ribose there is, we don’t know for sure if it’s a significant amount that can contribute to exercise performance!
D-Ribose helps in:
- Improving energy storage
- Enhances physical performance
- Stimulates muscle functions
There is still no concrete evidence of whether it significantly boosts physical capabilities, but there are existing supplements that supply D-Ribose to enthusiasts.
Does Full Throttle have taurine?
There is Taurine in well-known brands like Full Throttle. Generally speaking, the human body stores up to 1 gram of taurine each kilogram.
Because of its energizing properties, the amino acid taurine may be found in a wide variety of commercial energy beverages. However, despite its stimulant-like properties, it is essentially a depressant of the neurological system. When taken, taurine may have a profound effect on thalamic GABA receptors.
Is Full Throttle Coke or Pepsi?
Coca-Cola sold Monster their global energy division, which included the NOS and Full Throttle brands as well as nine others. Monster sold off its other beverage lines to Coca-Cola, including Hansen’s natural sodas, Hubert’s Lemonade, and Hansen’s juice goods.
Monster Beverage Company makes an energy drink called Full Throttle. It was first released by The Coca-Cola Company in late 2004 in the United States and Canada.
Does taurine affect hormones?
Taurine, which is normally an inhibitory amino acid, may influence hormone release by activating receptors on neural lobe nerve terminals. Earlier research demonstrated that the brain lobe contains glycine and GABA(A) receptors, both of which have high affinity for taurine.
The free amino acid taurine has a broad range of distribution and activities, including modulating estrogen production in the ovary. Taurine regulates estrogen production in granulosa cells, although the processes by which it does so are poorly known.”
How Much Caffeine is in Full Throttle?
Caffeine is a vital part of every energy drink – whether they come in powder or liquid form. In the case of Full Throttle Energy drinks, each can has 160mg of caffeine.
Think this isn’t too much? Well, I beg to differ. Let’s take this table as a basis:
| Brewed Coffee | 70–140 mg |
| Espresso | 125 mg |
| Instant coffee | 30–90 mg |
| Decaf Coffee | 0–7 mg |
See how Full Throttle’s caffeine content exceeds even brewed coffee and espresso? While it may not be double the caffeine content of each cup of common coffee beverages, I still think Full Throttle’s caffeine content is too much.
A healthy adult can only take 400mg of caffeine daily. Add a can of Full Throttle on top of other caffeinated commercial products that you can’t help but consume on a daily basis that exceeds this particular recommendation.
While caffeine is an antioxidant, it also doubles up as a laxative. Two to three cups of coffee can even make you go to the bathroom non-stop. Additionally, too much can yield to caffeine addiction and the following side effects:
- Digestive issues
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Highblood pressure
- Bleeding Disorders
- Diarrhea
- Osteoporosis
How Much Calories do Full Throttle Beverages Have?
Deviating away from the trendy no-calorie energy drinks on the market, a cold can of Full Throttle energy drinks is worth 230 calories. This is not even surprising considering its high sugar content is worth 220 calories.
An adult woman requires 2000 to 2400 calories a day while a man has a recommended calorie intake of about 2400 to 3000 calories. A can of Full Throttle energy drink amounts to 10% of the daily calorie limit. While it won’t even leave a dent in your daily diet, I think you’re much better off staying away from the empty calories if you’re watching your weight.
Flavors of Full Throttle
Currently, Full Throttle Energy Drinks has two flavors in the market. These are:
- Original Citrus
- Blue Agave
However, there are various discontinued flavor releases that Full Throttle decided not to sell in the market anymore. I’ll show you in the table below.
| Unleaded | Mother |
| Fury Berry Sugar-Free | Coffee Caramel |
| Night | Fury Blue |
| Original Citrus Sugar-Free | Fury Orange |
| Red Berry | Fury Berry |
| Hydration | Coffee Vanilla |
| Coffee Mocha | Orange |
Since I’m a real sucker for coffee, you can immediately say that what I miss the most in these discontinued beverages is the Full Throttle Coffee Mocha. It was part of the 100% Arabica coffee lineup and formulated to give you an extra-strong kick. Although it’s more on the bittersweet side rather than the subtleness I’m used to, this certain variation just holds a special place in my stomach.
Can You Drink Full Throttle Every Day?
There are two reasons why I won’t recommend you drink Full Throttle every day. The first is because of its relatively high caffeine content. The second (and the main reason!) is because of its sky-high sugar ingredients.
In the table below is a brief overview of the aspects to consider when you want to drink Full Throttle daily.
| Full Throttle Energy Drink Content | Recommended Daily Limit for Male/Female | |
| Sugar | 55g | 36g/25g |
| Caffeine | 160g | 400g |
| Calories | 230 calories | 3000/2400 calories |
If you’re really desperate for a daily Full Throttle fix, then I would even go as far as to recommend strictly watching everything you eat. Never mind the caffeine content which is within the daily caffeine boundaries, but the sugar itself is more than a cause of concern.
Alternatives to Full Throttle
Here are some energy drink brands that can become options for you:
Other Notable Mentions
Final Take
Full Throttle is a relatively successful energy drink in the market. Although not as prominent as its sister brand Monster, it still belongs on the charts of best seller caffeinated beverages.
On the basis of ingredients, Full throttle is just like your old energy drink formula, but multiply the sugar content to more than a few exponents. While it has a decent amount of vitamins such as niacin and cyanocobalamin, its high sugar content is definitely a red flag!
It’s understandable though since Full Throttle has set its target demographics to young adults and aims to satisfy their sweet tooth cravings. Still, you can drink this fun beverage as long as you’re extra mindful of both caffeine and sugar intake.
In my opinion, there are a lot of better energy drinks in the market. Considering my preference of about 50 to 100g caffeine content in my beverages, I just don’t think it’s worth the empty calories and the extra jitteriness brought by the extra caffeine.