There are a lot of energy drinks in the market – some of them promoting their brands and claiming the most ridiculous things possible.
In the sea of caffeinated thirst quenchers, you just need to be smart in choosing which one will grace your digestion. In this sense, you may have heard of Full Throttle in your particular hunting journey: does it pose a danger to you?
Containing 230 calories, 160mg of caffeine with a dash of vitamin B on the side, Full Throttle may seem like your everyday fizzy beverage. However, what makes it dangerous is its sky-high amount of sugar amounting to no less than 55g.
In this article, let’s thoroughly analyze whether Full Throttle energy drinks are as menacing as they seem.
What are you waiting for? Let’s jump right to it.
Contents
Brief Take on Full Throttle Energy Drinks
Originally formulated by the leading beverage company Coca-Cola in 2004, Full Throttle energy drinks quickly rose to fame. It graced all major grocery aisles and local chains and made a name for itself during its initial years.
Full Throttle even managed to secure the sponsorship of the National Hot Rod Association competitions between 2008 to 2012 which solidified its standing as one of the quickly rising energy drinks in the market. However, one surprising thing occurred that no one can predict.
Everybody was surprised when The Coca-Cola Company announced its impending deal with Monster Beverage Corporation. The agreement entails the exchange of brands between the two giants, and Full Throttle came under the jurisdiction of Monster.
Coca-Cola even gave the reigns of NOS and other smaller brands to the other company in exchange for several non-energy drink businesses like Hubert’s Lemonade.
Now under the wings of Monster Beverage, Full Throttle’s formula was tweaked a little – originally formulated with 200mg of caffeine, it now has 40mg less.
Ingredients of Full Throttle
Before we take a look at everything else, here’s a complete list of ingredients in each 16 fl. oz. of Full Throttle energy drinks:
- Carbonated water
- High fructose corn syrup
- Natural & artificial flavors
- Citric acid
- Sugar
- Sodium citrate
- Sodium benzoate (preservative)
- D-Ribose
- Caffeine
- Niacinamide
- Calcium D-Pantothenate
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride
- Blue #1
- Red #40
- Cyanocobalamin
Nutritional Facts of Full Throttle
People resort to energy drinks for two main reasons: the caffeine kick and the added nutritional ingredients. This is also the case with Full Throttle energy drinks as each 16 fl. oz. is jam-packed with essential vitamin B that is vital for a lot of bodily functions.
Vitamins in Full Throttle
Below are the signature vitamins and their amount in every Full Throttle can:
| 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. |
You may have noticed from the table I’ve made that each can of Full Throttle energy drinks exceeds the allotted daily intake for each particular vitamin B both for males and females. However, I can assure you that this is no cause for concern.
Studies show that those vitamin B complexes are water-soluble vitamins. This means that these particular nutrients can be dissolved in water. The cells and tissues only absorb the amount they need and the excess is flushed away from the body.
Still, no matter how low the risk is, over-the-top consumption of vitamin B can lead to vitamin toxicity. This rarely happens though, and drinking one can of Full Throttle won’t result in this condition.
Calories
Each can of Full Throttle energy drinks contains 230 calories. Personally, I find this calorie count too much especially as there are other brands in the market which contain lesser than that.
For a better idea of how Full Throttle differs in calories compared to other energy drinks in the industry, check out this table below.
| Full Throttle | Red Bull | Monster | Bang |
| 230 kcal | 220 kcal | 190 kcal | 0 kcal |
Most energy drinks take their benefits to another level and promote their brand as zero-calorie, zero sugar, and zero carbohydrates. However, Full Throttle Energy drinks won’t have any of that.
In general, the recommended daily calorie intake for men is 2500 kcal and 2000 calories for women. Full Throttle occupies 10% of the general daily calorie limit which is quite high especially if you’re on a diet.
Caffeine
Each can of Full Throttle beverages has 160mg of caffeine. If you’re looking for something that will definitely wake you up several days in a row, then this may just be the right drink for you.
Caffeine is one of the most important active ingredients in any energy drink beverage. In fact, aside from helping you stay awake, it also doubles as an antioxidant that staves off free radicals. Aside from that, you can count on caffeine to help you lose that additional bloat and eliminate waste.
The FDA strictly posits that a healthy adult should consume no more than 400mg of caffeine. While Full Throttle’s caffeine content is less than half of this limit, it doesn’t mean that you could consume it in every way possible.
In my own opinion, 50 to 100mg of caffeine is enough to kickstart your day. I also find it helpful to be mindful of my energy drink intake especially because caffeine is hidden in most commercial products found in everyday pantries.
When you consume 16.fl.oz. of Full Throttle, you already took quite a risk since it’s on the moderately high-tier scale. Combine that with your unrestricted diet and you risk yourself into caffeine overdose.
Here are the adverse effects of too much caffeine:
- Digestive issues
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Highblood pressure
- Bleeding Disorders
- Diarrhea
- Osteoporosis
Sugar
Full Throttle energy drinks have a sugar content of no less than 55g. I don’t know about you but just looking at that amount, I’m already feeling a phantom pain in my tooth and gums.
For reference, the daily sugar intake based on the American Heart Association is shown in the table below.
| Recommended Daily Sugar Limit | Equivalent | |
| Men | 36 grams | 9 teaspoons |
| Women | 24 grams | 6 teaspoons |
Since Full Throttle’s target customers include young adults aged 20 to 30 years old, I could understand why they would put sweetness in a 16.fl.oz can. Still, isn’t it too much?
I’m not a fan of super sweet beverages so Full Throttle’s sugar content is a big no-no for me. I tend to lean towards sugar-free beverages in general. On rare days I crave something sweet, I take less than half of this sugar-rich energy drink.
Too much sugar in the diet can lead to:
- Weight gain
- Heart disease
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Mood disorder
- Tooth decay
- Sugar crash
- Skin aging
Check out this video below to see the negative effects of excessively consuming sugar on the body:
Is Full Throttle Energy Diet-Friendly?
Well, with the number of calories and sugar every can of Full Throttle contains, I doubt it will fall under the category of diet-friendly energy drinks. This energy drink just won’t do if you’re on a strict journey towards losing weight and healthy living.
Generally, if you want to lose weight then you should reduce your daily food intake by 500 kcal. Anything more than that can lead to an unhealthy habit of restriction which will become unsustainable later on.
Firstly, the number of calories Full Throttle has can better be allocated to meals that will help you feel fuller for longer hours. The calories in a can of this energy drink brand can be considered as empty ones – most calorie content comes from the 55g of sugar.
In fact, 220 out of the total 230 calories in each Full Throttle beverage comes from the sugar and sweetener category – D-ribose, sugar, and Fructose Corn Syrup. This is the main reason why the calories in each can have no nutritional value.
If you’re on a diet and want to lose weight, I would advise you to steer clear of Full Throttle energy drinks and choose among the wide variety of beverages that are weight-loss friendly.
Is Full Throttle Vegan?
There are questionable ingredients in Full Throttle that make it uncertain whether it’s completely vegan-friendly. This includes its taurine, sugar, and coloring sources.
I don’t think this beverage is made for ethical vegans considering the fact that it is entirely plausible that it was tested on animals. However, if you are on a vegan diet for health reasons, then rest assured that Full Throttle is consumable for you.
Is Full Throttle Keto-Friendly?
The ketogenic diet has long been considered a lifestyle rather than a fad. As such, there are many energy drink enthusiasts that want to transition into this healthy diet for their benefit.
The sad news is this: for those who are fond of drinking Full Throttle, your all-time favorite beverage is not keto-friendly at all. As such, you should either eliminate this energy drink in your diet or throw the idea of transitioning into the ketogenic lifestyle out the window.
Since the keto diet requires consuming food high in fat but low in carbohydrates, the very concept of Full Throttle energy drink doesn’t align with this lifestyle at all.
Is Full Throttle Bad For You?
Some dieticians believe that Full Throttle belongs to the list of the unhealthiest energy drinks in the market. Energy drinks in general have adverse effects on the body, but Full Throttle tops their list because of certain aspects.
Full Throttle energy drinks can certainly be bad for you. Aside from its high 160mg of caffeine, the most alarming thing is its 55g of sugar content. If not taken in a strictly moderate amount, you risk yourself in a variety of dangerous situations.
I try not to drink Full Throttle beverages no matter the flavor, and luckily they have discontinued their coffee line-up which is the only thing I liked about the brand. Still, if you’re keen on this particular energy brand, what I would recommend to minimize the risk is knowing your limitations.
Is Full Throttle For Pregnant Women?
Energy drinks no matter what brand is not formulated for pregnant women. This is mainly because of their caffeine content. While some studies may argue that you can take 150 to 300 mg of caffeine daily while pregnant, more recent findings beg to disagree.
Aside from the caffeine content in Full Throttle, the high sugar level is also something that you should avoid. Non-nutritive sweeteners in particular can add extra gestational weight and may even harm the baby in the process.
Is Full Throttle Suitable for Teens?
There are a variety of reasons why energy drinks are not suitable for teenagers. In particular, studies conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that teenagers mistake energy drinks for sports drinks.
While energy drinks are a suitable temporary booster of energy, this only applies to adults who can fully process the chemicals in each can of caffeinated thirst quenchers. Teenagers are not recommended to take a shot of energy drinks because their bodies cannot properly regulate the ingredients in the mix contained in each can.
In my opinion, this is particularly applicable to the high caffeine and sugar content of Full Throttle energy drinks. Teenagers are in the sensitive phase of their lives where growth and maturation take place, I just don’t think they need these large boosts of energy seeing as they’re still young and energetic.
Does full throttle give you energy?
To enhance your cognitive and physical performance, try Full Throttle, a typical energy drink with a modest amount of caffeine. One can includes 160mg of caffeine, 230kcal, and 55g of sugar, making it a medium-strength energy drink.
A healthy adult should not consume more than one can of Full Throttle Energy Drink each day. You shouldn’t drink more than one can because of the high sugar and calorie content, which might have negative consequences down the road.
How bad is full throttle for you?
As long as you don’t drink more than one can of Full Throttle every day and don’t have any health problems already, you shouldn’t have too many worries about drinking it. To be sure, there’s a lot more to it than that.
Due to its high sugar content, I suggest limiting yourself to just one can of Full Throttle every day. Even consuming a whole can less than once a day is probably not a good idea. It’s probably best to limit yourself to Full Throttle every so often rather than constantly.
Can I drink full throttle while pregnant?
Since certain energy drinks, like Full Throttle, contain caffeine and other substances that are unsafe for pregnant women to consume, it’s best to avoid them altogether.
Drinks containing caffeine or other stimulants with the intention of boosting energy levels are classified as “energy drinks” by the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. High amounts of caffeine are one reason to steer clear of energy drinks during pregnancy, but there may be other substances that pose hazards as well. “
How Much is Too Much Full Throttle?
One can of Full Throttle is more than enough to keep you going, as such, consuming more than this can be considered too much. This 230 calorie drink containing 55g of sugar and 160mg of caffeine packs a punch that will last you on days on end.
Personally speaking, I find the full can of Full Throttle overwhelming. I think its content is too much on all levels – the calorie, sugar, and caffeine are just something I can’t fully keep my head into. Therefore, on the rarest days where I am craving a drop of Full Throttle, I only limit myself to half the can at most.
Where to Buy
You can purchase Full Throttle beverages on its official website or on Amazon. There are also a lot of resellers online that ship worldwide. Aside from this, major grocery stores also sell this energy drink brand.
Flavors
While most energy drinks in the market released a wide range of flavor lineups, Full Throttle is unique in this way. Currently, they only sell their brand in two flavors. These are:
- Original Citrus
- Blue Agave
Alternatives to Full Throttle
Here are some energy drink brands that can become options for you:
Other Notable Mentions
Final Say
Full Throttle is an emerging energy drink brand that shares company with several others including Monster and NOS. They have had remarkable growth in recent years and are slowly expanding their fan base.
In my personal opinion, I think Full Throttle is quite decent. However, it’s not on my list of immediate options when I’m craving a caffeinated buzz.
If you’re eager for a taste of this particular drink, then do it by all means. However, you may want to be careful though because Full Throttle’s caffeine partnered with its high amount of sugar will only bring health implications if not taken correctly.
Also, don’t take it if you have health problems or other sensitive situations.