G Fuel has gained its popularity over the years through various sponsorships and endorsements by celebrities.
The brand has spent a significant amount in promoting its powder-based formula, which can be made in under a minute by simply adding it into a glass of water.
When you’re a regular coffee drinker and see a new energy drink formula offering something different, you might want to know which is better.
I have tested and written detailed comparisons of both Coffee and G Fuel, this considers the lifestyles of various kinds of people and a final verdict of which is better for people from each category.
The short answer: G Fuel is best for athletes and people who carry out strenuous tasks. If you simply want to get out of bed early in the morning, coffee would be the better option.
Read on for a deep dive into the pros and cons of both!
Contents
Ingredients in Coffee and G Fuel
To get a clear picture of which might be better, let’s look at the ingredients used to make G Fuel and coffee.
G Fuel
Here is the complete list of ingredients of G Fuel.
- Carbonated Water
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Sodium Gluconate
- Malic Acid
- Caffeine (Purecaf™)
- Potassium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (goBHB®)
- Vitamin Blend (Maltodextrin, Vitamin C, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12)
- L-Tyrosine
- Sucralose
- Potassium Citrate
- Citric Acid
- Acesulfame Potassium
- Antioxidant Blend (Green Coffee Bean Extract, Green Tea Extract, Turmeric Extract, Tart Cherry, Blueberry, Broccoli, Kale)
- L-Theanine
- Steviol Glycosides
Coffee
Here are the ingredients that usually go in a cup of Coffee.
- Caffeine
- Tannin
- Thiamine
- Guaiacol
- Xanthine
- Spermidine
- Citric Acid
- Acetaldehyde
- Chlorogenic acid
- Putrescine
- Scopoletin
Comparison of Nutritional Contents
To make things even more transparent, the table below provides a detailed comparison of the nutritional contents of G Fuel and Black Coffee.
| Nutrients | G-Fuel Amount Per Serving (16fl oz.) | Black Coffee (8fl oz.) |
| Caffeine | 150mg | 96mg |
| Calories | 0 | 2 |
| Total Fat | 0g | 0g |
| Sodium | 70mg | 5mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 0g | 0g |
| Sugars | – | 0g |
| Protein | 0g | 0g |
| Niacin | 4g | – |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.6 mcg | – |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.4mg | – |
| Pantothenic Acid | – | – |
| Vitamin C | 45mg | – |
| Potassium | 85mg | – |
G Fuel Vs. Coffee
Let’s look at the primary factors of G Fuel and coffee that can help you decide which is better for you!
Caffeine
The caffeine amount in Coffee and G Fuel can vary depending on which variant of the drink you buy.
The ready-to-drink cans 16-ounce cans of G Fuel contain a pretty significant 300mg of caffeine, whereas the powdered version has half of that at 150mg.
The same goes for coffee. There are various different kinds of coffee available, and the strength might change with each type.
A regular cup of black coffee contains about 95mg of caffeine in an 8-ounce cup, while an espresso contains a lower 63mg.
Based on their caffeine content, I’d recommend G Fuel for those who have active lifestyles such as athletes. However, because of the higher amount, G Fuel may not be suitable for those who are caffeine-sensitive or simply cutting back on caffeine.
If you’re looking for a milder boost to get you through the day, I’d say coffee would be your best bet.
Sugar
G Fuel comes with zero added sugar, using artificial sweeteners as a substitute instead.
Some might prefer this but others might like regular sugar after having discovered rumors regarding the health factors of the sweeteners present, namely Sucralose and Ace-K.
On the other hand, the amount of sugar in coffee entirely depends on you and can differ from person to person.
For example, I prefer only a teaspoon of sugar in my espresso cup, which might not be the same for everyone.
To be on the safe side, make sure you do not exceed the daily limit of 36 grams of sugar to avoid any adverse health effects.
Calories
G Fuel energy cans don’t contain any calories, while the powdered sachets provide 25 calories in every 16 fl oz serving.
This amount is not too high and won’t affect your health if you work out every now and then and eat a healthy diet. However, you can always check out calorie-free brands if you prefer to be on the safe side.
The calories in coffee once again depend upon how you like it. Adding one teaspoon of sugar means you’re adding 16 more calories to your coffee. Similarly, adding whipped cream further adds about 50 calories.
If you have black coffee with no add-on’s, it will only have two calories, which are next to nothing and won’t affect you whatsoever.
To keep yourself healthy and free from any negative effects from taking large amounts of calories, make sure you stay within the limit of 2000 and 2500 calories a day for men and women.
Which Works Better?
In terms of an energy boost, both can work equally as well. With coffee, you can adjust how strong you want it to be, and the same goes with G Fuel if you have the powdered version.
The downside of trying to have a less potent drink of G Fuel is that the taste would become less recognizable.
Adding less powder also means less flavor, and if you want to have a minimum amount of caffeine, you will have to put up with your drink tasting band.
G Fuel qualifies as the better energizer due to its higher caffeine and a formula that combines ingredients like several B Vitamins to give you the desired energy boost.
Which Tastes Better?
G Fuel comes with 20 different flavors and has one for each major sponsor. You have an extensive range to choose from and are sure to find one you like best.
On the flip side, black coffee has a naturally bitter taste when there arent any add-ons. Other types of coffee, like espresso, might taste better for you.
Personally, I like G-Fuel better, especially the Blue Ice flavor if I need to wake up from the mid-day nap quickly. Coffee is better suited for early mornings and late nights.
Which is Cheaper?
A tub of G Fuel costs around $36. This tub contains 40 servings, according to the official G Fuel website.
If you do the math, each serving only costs $0.9. To compare with coffee, if you are making your own and have a coffee maker at home, the only expense is coffee beans and milk.
A kilogram of good coffee beans can range from anywhere between $25 and $30 and can make around 140 cups. This makes the cost of a cup of Coffee around only $0.5.
To conclude, coffee is cheaper than G Fuel if you already own a coffee maker.
Are Both Bad For You?
Coffee and G Fuel both can be bad for you if not taken in moderation, having either in excess can result in a caffeine overdose.
The FDA advises keeping daily caffeine intake below 400mg, exceeding this amount can cause the following side effects:
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Shakiness
- Headaches
- Dizziness
Watch the video below for a more detailed overview of how large amounts of coffee can affect your body.
G Fuel and Coffee Alternatives
If either of these doesn’t fit your requirements, here is a list of alternatives you might like instead.
Other Notable Mentions
Bottom Line
The final verdict of which might be better entirely depends on you and what your preferences are.
If you’re looking for something strong and fruity to taste, G Fuel should be your go-to. On the contrary, If you like something slow to drink and enjoyable, try out coffee and see if it fits your needs.
Both are extremely cheap and the price shouldn’t be a worrisome factor, so if you’re an avid coffee drinker or vice versa, try the other, you might end up finding something you love!