Energy drinks are a major cornucopia in the present times. They’re quite versatile and capable of giving you the caffeinated kick and several nutrients a cup of coffee may not typically provide. One particular beverage that took my interest is Full Throttle, but does it really live up to its name?
With its 230 calories and 160mg caffeine contained in one can, Full Throttle has the potential to become something of a bigwig in the thirst quencher industry. However, I just have a few reservations about the overwhelming amount of sugar worth a whopping 55g per 16.fl.oz.
As an emerging energy drink brand under the brightest limelight due to its handlers, aren’t you curious just how great Full Throttle is? Well, you’re not alone in this one.
Ready your armor as we tackle the aspects of Full Throttle and determine whether this caffeinated beverage is worth the talk.
Contents
About Full Throttle
Formulated under the watchful eye of beverage giant Coca-Cola Company in 2004, Full Throttle made its way into every US and Canadian grocery aisles without much difficulty. Although part of it is because of the solid reputation of their mother company, their rise to fame is also due to the increasing energy drink aficionados in the era.
When you think of Full Throttle, you think of motor enthusiasts. And yup, it’s no surprise that their original target market is people passionate about their ride. What’s astounding though is what happens in the next few years, starting from 2015.
The Coca-Cola Company decided to form ties with another supergiant in the form of Monster Beverage Corporation. Their link agreement entails the exchanging of ownership rights of several smaller brands. This opened up a new wind – Full Throttle, NOS, Burn, Relentless, Mother, and other businesses under Coca-Cola’s jurisdiction fell in the hands of Monster.
On the other hand, Monster Beverage gave the reins of Peace Tea, Hansen’s Natural Sodas, and Hubert’s Lemonade to its contract partner. It seems that Coca-Cola fully surrendered their energy drink companies under Monster – a fine move that made Full Throttle one of the emerging brands in the industry.
Monster improved the formula and expanded the energy drink’s target market: it now caters to young people with an age range of 20 to 30 years old. What’s more? The caffeine content of Full Throttle was reduced to a few milligrams lower. To be precise, it deviated from the 200mg caffeine and contains 160mg instead.
These changes made the drink successful, and recent years show the improvements of the brand. In fact, statistics show that Full Throttle amassed approximately 22.92 million US dollars in the last thirteen weeks of 2020 alone.
Ingredients of Full Throttle Energy Drinks
Every product’s foundation lies in its ingredients. Full Throttle is no different. It has the general components each energy drink has, but its selling point lies in its collection of Vitamin B.
As you can see in the table below, I have listed the ingredients of this particular energy drink brand under some categories:
| 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 |
For a more detailed review of each of these ingredients, check out this recent article I’ve made.
Nutrition Facts
A glass of plain old water is something that no one can live without, however; there is just something that hits the spot when it comes to drinking energy drinks. Personally, more than the caffeine kick, I like drinking them for their fizz.
Aside from these, energy drink formulas are made with several things in mind – they are marketed to increase energy levels, boost brain focus, and some of them are even promoted as weight-loss beverages.
Here’s the nutrition fact of each 16.fl.oz of Full Throttle energy drinks based on a 2000 calorie diet.
One particular thing that took my interest is its amount of sodium, amounting to about 160mg. The American Heart Association recommends a maximum of 2,300 mg a day, but an ideal amount would fall to no more than 1,500 mg.
In this case, Full Throttle’s sodium content definitely passed the mark, making it an ideal sports drink to replace electrolytes. Sodium, among other minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium helps the body’s homeostasis by balancing the fluids. That’s why energy drinks, in general, are marketed as a pre-workout drink – they help rehydrate the body during physical activities!
Aside from the sodium levels, Full Throttle comes equipped with an army of vitamin B that is necessary for basic human functioning.
| 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 functioning. |
| Cyanocobalamin | 12mcg | 2.4mcg | Essential for making protein and stimulates fat and carbohydrate digestion. |
Although there are a lot more energy drinks in the market that packs a heftier punch than Full Throttle’s vitamins, I think it’s worth the talk when it comes to its nutritional value – well, that is if you minus its rocketing sugar content.
Come take a look at the list of the healthiest energy drinks in the market based on my research.
How Much Sugar is In Full Throttle?
Full Throttle contains 55g of sugar.
Personally, I think this amount is just too brutal. Considering their target demographics of young individuals (20 to 30 years old), I still think they could cut back a lot of this to stay under the healthy criteria.
The criteria set by the AHA states that men should consume no more than 36 grams of sugar per day. Women should take lesser than that and should keep their sugar intake to a minimum of 19 grams of free sugar daily.
Full Throttle definitely falls under the category of sugar-sweetened beverages, and these provide no additional benefit to the drink aside from the overwhelming amount of sweetness. In my opinion, I’d prefer not to take this sky-high amount of sugar especially if I’m watching my weight and my overall health.
Too much sugar in your diet can cause:
- Weight gain
- Heart disease
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Mood disorder
- Tooth decay
- Sugar crash
- Skin aging
Calorie Amount of Full Throttle
With its surprising amount of sugar, there’s no question why Full Throttle has a high-calorie content of 230 calories. Its sugar content alone is worth approximately 213 calories, making it an empty-calorie beverage.
Although Full Throttle has a decent amount of vitamin B in each can, I don’t think it’s worth the risk to consume that much amount of sugar or calorie in general. Generally, the recommended daily intake for women is no more than 2000 calories, while men should consume approximately 2500 kcal.
In this sense, Full Throttle easily occupies 10% of your calorie limit. If you’re someone who’s engaged in a restricted diet for health or weight loss, I would suggest going for something more subtle. Not only is Full Throttle a can of empty calories, but their calorie value borders on full-on health risk especially if not consumed correctly.
Here are my recommendations for calorie-free energy drinks that can still give you the buzz without unnecessary weight gain.
What is the Caffeine Content of Full Throttle?
Full Throttle has a caffeine content of 160mg. While this may not be the highest one I’ve encountered, their caffeine is still quite high especially if you factor in the sugar content which gives an additional kick on its own.
While a healthy adult can take up to 400mg of caffeine daily, it doesn’t mean you should test your luck. Full Throttle can quickly consume almost half of your limit – this is safe. But how are you so sure that the rest of your diet does not contain any hidden caffeine?
Yup, you got that right. Most of the products on your kitchen counter and even your most favorite comfort foods contain a significant amount of caffeine: this is not even limited to your Oreos, cereals, chocolate, ice cream, and yogurt. That got you thinking, right?
For further reference, here are some of the common energy drinks and their caffeine content:
| Beverages | Caffeine Content per 16 fl. oz. |
| Red Bull | 160mg |
| NOS | 160mg |
| Rockstar Punched | 240mg |
| Bang | 300mg |
| Hype | 80mg |
| Reign | 300mg |
| Bing | 120mg |
Full Throttle may not be the highest containing beverage in terms of caffeine content, but I can guarantee you that it belongs in the upper-middle tier. For me, 50 to 100mg caffeine is something that I find acceptable every day.
It’s up to your choice though, but be aware of the health implications that may result from caffeine toxicity such as:
- Digestive issues
- Osteoporosis
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Highblood pressure
- Bleeding Disorders
- Diarrhea
Most energy drink brands in the market carry with them a high risk of a caffeine buzz, but if you’re on the hunt for beverages that won’t give you the jitters, I just have the right one for you.
How Many Full Throttle Can You Drink A Day?
Due to its caffeine content of 160mg per can and an exorbitant amount of sugar worth 55g, I would recommend taking Full Throttle once a day. This is stretching it too far though, as even their 16-ounce container has an overwhelmingly high amount of sweetness for everyday consumption.
Check this table out for a brief overview of each Full Throttle energy drink:
| Per 16 fl. oz. of Full Throttle | Daily Intake Limit | |
| Sugar | 55g | 36g/25g |
| Caffeine | 160mg | 400g |
| Calories | 230 calories | 3000/2400 calories |
I try to avoid Full Throttle as much as I can. This is because, in my opinion, there are a lot of better brands in the industry that will give me more boost and supplements without the extra sugar and calories. Still, when times call for it, I only drink half a can at most.
How Dangerous is Full Throttle?
Energy drinks are made for human convenience, just like any other old invention. As the belief goes, an invention’s nature is something that is decided by the wielder alone. I think this applies perfectly to caffeinated beverages.
Full Throttle energy drinks are not entirely menacing as it sounds. While each can contains a huge amount of sugar, there’s nothing dangerous as long as it is consumed in moderation. All in all, Full Throttle is only a risk if you’re not smart in handling it.
Aside from pregnant and lactating women, you shouldn’t be consuming Full Throttle or any energy drink in general if you belong in the following categories:
- Teenagers
- Diabetic
- With heart complications
- Allergies to certain products
Some drinks are even diet-friendly, but unfortunately, Full Throttle ain’t one of those. They have high sugar content, and definitely not keto-friendly! I am well aware of just how addicting sweet drinks are, but if you want to continue drinking them for the rest of your life, be aware of overdose.
Watch this video below to determine just how much energy drinks are bad for you when consumed incorrectly:
Flavors of Full throttle
In the past, Full Throttle had a plethora of flavors they offer to cater to a wide variety of target customers. However, they have decided to stick to two of their main flavors which I will discuss further below.
Check out the list of discontinued Full Throttle flavors 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 |
If I’m being honest, I was a fool for their 100% Arabica line-up. I’ve had a phase where I only try to purchase these sets – that’s just how much I adore the coffee flavors. If you’d ask me, I’ll definitely go for the Coffee Vanilla: it just has the right blend of sweetness and subtle bitterness that is the right match for my taste buds.
While I don’t have the privilege to consume this coffee-flavored lineup anymore, there are still remaining Full Throttle flavors in the market that you may try if you’re curious.
Full Throttle Agave
Imagine honey dripping down your throat, but insert a more carbonated sensation. This is the exact description of Full Throttle’s Blue Agave if you asked me.
This is entirely reasonable as the flavor’s main ingredient is Agave, which is a succulent widely used in tequilas and other sweet beverages. Most people would describe it as something that would rival honey but has an overwhelming sweet advantage.
While its sweet taste is a bit too much for my liking, what made the most impression on me was its carbonation properties. Even after cracking the can open and leaving it for a few moments, Full Throttle Agave does not even go flat! I quite enjoyed the fizzy feeling that is quite refreshing especially on hot days.
Full Throttle Original Citrus
Full Throttle’s Citrus flavor tastes like orange, but more on the herbal concoction side. It has a lighter taste than the Blue Agave variant and more to my liking although not by much because of its artificial sweetness.
I think that’s where the bitterness comes from – because too much sugar and additives overwhelm the supposed-to-be pleasant citrus aftertaste. Just like its other flavor, Full Throttle’s citrus pack a very strong carbonated punch. I prefer its lighter taste though, but if you’re all for syrupy flavors then who am I to judge?
One particular thing I’ve liked though about this beverage, in general, is that I have not experienced any major crash. The kick lasted for about 2 to 4 hours but after wearing off, I felt normal which is a very great thing!
Full Throttle vs. Monster
Monster energy drink is one of the big three when it comes to the caffeinated beverage industry. What it has in common with Full Throttle is that they share companies – Monster Beverage Corporation.
I’ll show you how Full Throttle compares to this particular sister brand in the table below:
| Full Throttle | Monster | |
| Calorie | 230 kcal | 210 kcal |
| Caffeine | 160mg | 160mg |
| Sugar | 55g | 54g |
| Vitamins | Vitamin B | B-Vitamins, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese, copper |
| Sodium | 160mg | 370mg |
| Sweeteners | Sugar, Fructose Corn Syrup, D-Ribose | Sucralose, Glucose, Sugar |
| Price | $1.68 | $2.77 |
All in all, I would take Monster for the vitamins and minerals. But when it comes to the caffeine kick, Full Throttle does not lose by much, especially if you look at its price.
Are full throttle energy drinks healthier?
Because of its high sugar content, Full Throttle can’t be considered a healthier alternative to regular soda. You shouldn’t drink many Full Throttle cans in a day since doing so will almost certainly result in a sugar crash and will do nothing positive for your health in the long run.
Still, if you’re looking for an energy drink like any other, go no further than Full Throttle. One can includes 160mg of caffeine, 230kcal, and 55g of sugar, making it a medium-strength energy drink.
Is Full Throttle a Monster energy drink?
Monster Beverage creates the Full Throttle line of energy drinks. As part of The Coca-Cola Company, it first appeared in North America in late 2004.
Full Throttle Energy was a sub-brand of Coca-Cola marketed for young adults (those aged 20-30) and widely regarded as being distinct from other energy drink brands.
Does creatine cause heart arrhythmia?
More research is required to determine whether or not creatine causes cardiac arrhythmias. Extreme amounts of fish oil have a blood-thinning effect. Some individuals may be negatively affected by it.
In addition to renal and liver disorders, patients with diabetes should also avoid taking creatine. Children under 18 and breastfeeding or pregnant women should also not take it.
Alternatives to Full Throttle
Here are some choices of energy drink brands you can try aside from Full Throttle:
Other Notable Mentions
Final Take
Full Throttle energy drinks have the potential to go toe-to-toe with a lot of leading caffeinated beverage brands in the market. While their target market mostly revolves around the younger generation, they can still cater their flavors to a lot of other consumers.
I’d rate this drink for a total of six out of ten. While Full Throttle has the necessary vitamins, there are a few improvements I would like to voice out. This includes reducing their sugar content which is a main concern of mine. Aside from this, their caffeine can be taken down a few notches, but this is entirely my own take.
I still miss other Full Throttle flavors, but their current lineup is still competitive enough. Full Throttle energy drinks are a surefire way to obtain that caffeinated kick while craving for something sweet to boot.