G Fuel is well-known for its range of unique flavors and association with online influencers and celebrities like KSI and Pewdiepie.
Since its launch in 2012, G Fuel’s powder-based formula has steadily gained popularity with the rise of esports and leading players advocating the drink as revolutionary.
In 2018, the manufacturers modified the ingredients label to include a warning regarding the contents of lead in the drink. This didn’t go unnoticed by consumers and instantly sparked outrage.
Among the uncertainties, there were many questions on whether lead was safe to consume and if it had any adverse effects.
The short answer is, while lead can be harmful if consumed in large amounts, the quantity in G Fuel meets FDA requirements and is safe to consume.
Read on as I discuss this in detail and analyze various other factors of G Fuel.
Contents
Ingredients of G Fuel Powder
G Fuel’s list of ingredients is vast and is divided into three groups: the Energy Complex, Focus Complex, and Antioxidant Complex.
Each group has a different role within the body. The Energy Complex is primarily developed to boost energy and rid you of fatigue, the Focus Complex helps improve focus and alertness, and the Antioxidant Complex, which lessens cell damage.
Energy Complex:
- Taurine
- L-Citrulline-Malate
- N-Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCl
- Glucuronolactone
- Caffeine
- Velvet seed extract
Focus Complex:
- L-Tyrosine
- N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
- Toothed Clubmoss Aerial Parts Extract
- Bacopa Leaf Extract
- Adenosine-5′-Triphosphate Disodium Salt (ATP)
- Choline Bitartrate
Antioxidant Complex:
- Cabbage Palm Berry Extract
- Pomegranate Fruit Extract
- Pineapple Fruit Powder
- Apple Fruit Powder
- Orange Fruit Powder
- Blueberry Fruit Powder
- Lemon Fruit Powder
- Lime Fruit Powder
- Melon Fruit Powder
- Sour Cherry Fruit Powder
- Papaya Fruit Powder
- Peach Fruit Powder
- Pyrus Communis Fruit Powder
- Grape Seed Powder
- Grapefruit Fruit Powder
- Plum Fruit Powder
- Raspberry Fruit Powder
- Strawberry Fruit Powder
- Watermelon Fruit Powder
Miscellaneous ingredients:
- Maltodextrin (preservative)
- Pineapple Fruit Powder
- Citric Acid (preservative)
- Natural Flavors
- Artificial Flavors
- Beta Carotene (color)
- Sucralose
- Acesulfame Potassium
- Silicon Dioxide
G Fuel Powder Nutrition Facts
Here is the complete list of nutritional facts of G Fuel as provided on the back label of each tub.
| Nutrition Component | Value (Per 7g) |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 5g |
| Sugars | 0g |
| Vitamin C | 25g |
| Vitamin E | 15IU |
| Vitamin B3 | 15mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 10mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 10mg |
| Sodium | 79mg |
Calories in G Fuel
G Fuel isn’t very high in calories. Each serving has 25 calories only, easily burned off if you exercise regularly.
This amount is relatively low and won’t have a noticeable effect on your health unless you consume the drink excessively.
Experts recommend a minimum calorie intake of 2500 for men and 2000 for women.
If you’re looking to lose weight, G Fuel is a suitable energy drink you can implement into your diet. But I also suggest consulting a medical professional regarding this just to be safe!
Caffeine in G Fuel
Each 16-ounce serving of G Fuel contains 140mg of caffeine.
This amount is significantly lower than most other competitors, but this isn’t exactly a drawback since the powder allows you to make the drink more saturated.
While you’re free to increase servings, make sure you don’t exceed 400mg of caffeine in a single day. Doing so can result in several adverse effects, some of which are listed below.
- Restlessness and Shakiness
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Abnormal Heartbeat
- Dehydration
Sugar in G Fuel
G Fuel Powder is entirely sugar-free, instead, the manufacturers use artificial sweeteners to give their drink an appealing taste.
Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium is a popular combination used by a number of manufacturers to make their drinks more appealing to the masses.
These sweeteners are also used by people with diabetes to sweeten foods using a substitute for sugar.
Sucralose is 600 times sweeter than regular sugar and is commonly used under the brand name Splenda. Out of the two artificial sweeteners used, Sucralose is more controversial.
Consumers have claimed the sweetener caused them to suffer from increased heart rate and other negative health effects. However, no solid research has been conducted to prove such claims.
Ace-K, on the other hand, is 200 times sweeter and generally accepted as a safer ingredient than sugar.
Does G Fuel Powder Contain Lead?
Gamma Labs, the parent company behind G Fuel, was hit with a lawsuit in 2017 for failing to be transparent on the use of lead in their energy drinks.
The beverage company was also accused of including more lead than the amount which is considered safe for consumption.
Under California state laws, no amount of lead was considered safe to consume, making G Fuel and Gamma Labs further lose confidence from its customers.
G Fuel lost the case and was required to pay for damages and make it clear that their drinks included lead on the packaging.
The CEO of Gamma Labs issued a statement on Twitter, assuring consumers that the ingredients of G Fuel were nothing to worry about.
While the company was under fire for not making the contents of G Fuel clear, it is important to note that the contents of lead in G Fuel are only 0.5 micrograms, which is next to nothing.
This amount also falls within the maximum contamination limit by the FDA and is safe to consume.
B-Vitamins in G Fuel Powder
G Fuel comes with several Vitamins, these can be beneficial and improve how effective the drink is. B-Vitamins in particular have the ability to convert carbohydrates and fats in the body to energy.
| Vitamin | Primary Function |
| Vitamin B3 | Metabolizes fats and proteins. It also helps lower blood cholesterol levels. |
| Vitamin B6 | Helps maintain a normal amount of amino acids in the body. |
| Vitamin B12 | Vitamin B12 helps keep the nerve and blood cells within the body healthy. |
Is G Fuel Safe to Drink?
Excessive drinking of G Fuel long-term can cause several adverse health effects, the most prominent and common being caffeine dependency.
Having G Fuel early in the morning or at specific times a day daily can cause you to become reliant on the drink. You may not be able to perform the same task without a caffeine boost.
Like other addictions, you will start to face withdrawal symptoms, find out more about these in the video below.
There are other dangers to having caffeinated beverages regularly as well. Details on some of these are given below.
Insomnia: Intaking caffeinated beverages before going to sleep can worsen pre-existing insomnia and render you unable to sleep. Doing this regularly can cause you to develop chronic insomnia.
Stomach Problems: Caffeine is bitter, this property can cause it to stimulate stomach acid. This can result in nausea, vomiting, and headaches. If taken on an empty stomach, these symptoms may worsen.
Can Children and Teenagers Drink G Fuel?
It is not recommended for people under the age of 18 to drink beverages high in caffeine.
The daily caffeine intake limit for children advised by experts is only 100mg. G Fuel contains a far greater amount per serving.
Even if teenagers were to reduce the serving size in order to meet the daily limit, I wouldn’t advise having G Fuel at all.
Your teenage years are the prime of your time, and you’re at a period where your body is the healthiest. Drinking energy drinks can result in health problems you’re better off not having experienced.
Alternatives to G Fuel
Here are some notable alternatives you can try if G Fuel’s lead contents still concern you.
Other Notable Mentions
Final Thoughts
While G Fuel does contain lead, the amount is minuscule and will not have any major or minor effects when consumed.
The outrage is largely amplified by California’s strict transparency laws and the state’s firm stand against lead and other contaminants.
If you are still concerned about the health effects this can have on you, G Fuel also comes in a canned version that is free of lead.
Overall, G Fuel is a great energy drink and the brand has made efforts to make it the best among all competitors.
You can safely have a drink without worrying!