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VPX Bang Energy Drink Review (Honest)

What does Bang taste like?

Does Bang Energy really work or does it send you into a caffeine-induced coma with its outrageously high caffeine content?

If you’re in a hurry: I score Bang Energy 8 out of 10. Bang has a wide selection of flavors so you’re sure to find one that you like. Bang Energy is also sugar-free and has zero calories, so extra points there.

But what is it about Bang that didn’t get it a full score?

You’ll find out everything in this review. You’re sure to find the answers to those burning questions that you have and get to know some basic info about Bang Energy by the end of this article.

Let’s begin!

What Is Bang Energy Drink?

Started in 2012, Bang Energy is a low-sugar carbonated energy drink made by Vital Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (VPX), a company based in Florida, USA.

Bang is one of the leading energy drink brands in the US, alongside competitors like Red Bull and Monster.

Unlike other recognizable energy drink brands, Bang built itself a reputation by being one of the strongest energy drinks with a caffeine content of 300mg in every 16 fl.oz can, which is quite something.

Bang is also advertised as ‘the healthiest energy drink’, with the company even claiming it could ‘reverse mental retardation’ and could even cure diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, and all forms of dementia.

Sounds like a looonggg stretch to me. Too good to be true?

As a result, this earned Bang several lawsuits relating to its alleged false claims about their products. Regardless, Bang Energy is still around and thriving with rising sales, and it is in fact one of the most consumed energy drinks in the US.

What is VPX drink?

VPX is an abbreviation for “vitality, performance, and excellence,” It is a sports nutrition product line that includes sports drinks, protein bars, and other supplements.

Many believe VPX products are effective and can help improve physical performance. Others prefer to consume it because they think it is better for their health.

Is VPX a good company?

VPX is a fantastic company because it has a great product line and workplace. Its product line consists of various flavors of health and fitness products.

More importantly, they make drinks with no added sugar and high-quality protein. The company does, in fact, manufacture professional-grade supplements.

What’s Bang Energy Drink Made Of?

List of ingredients in Bang Energy Drink can.
Long list of ingredients on Bang.

Here’s a list of ingredients in a 16 fl.oz can of Bang Energy Drink:

  • 300mg of caffeine
  • 0 calories
  • 0g total fat
  • 0mg cholesterol
  • 40mg sodium
  • 85mg potassium
  • 0g total carbohydrates
  • 0g total sugars
  • 0g protein
  • Vitamin C
  • Magnesium
  • Niacin
  • Vitamin B12

There’s also “trace amounts” of:

  • Carbonated water
  • Citric acid anhydrous
  • Sodium benzoate
  • Potassium sorbate
  • Potassium citrate monohydrate
  • Sucralose
  • Natural flavors
  • L-Leucine
  • Potassium phosphate dibasic
  • Vitamin C
  • Acesulfame potassium
  • Magnesium chloride
  • SUPER CREATINE (Creatyl-L-Leucine)
  • L-Isoleucine
  • L-Valine
  • Calcium chloride
  • Calcium disodium EDTA

From this list, you might recognize a few ingredients that are also in many other energy drinks. However, there are several ingredients listed in Bang that may sound unfamiliar.

Whether or not these ingredients have any favorable effects on you is a bit of a mystery because they aren’t very transparent with regard to how much of most of these ingredients are actually included in the ingredients list.

My personal take on this is that since the majority of the supposedly beneficial ingredients are only present in ‘trace amounts’, they probably won’t be of much value.

I’m happy to be proven wrong, but until I see some facts about how much of each ingredient is actually included, I’ll assume there’s only a sprinkle in there for marketing purposes.

How Many Flavors Does Bang Have?

One of Bang’s strong points is that it has a lot of flavors to choose from.

All in all, Bang Energy has 18 flavors:

  • Blue Razz
  • Black Cherry Vanilla
  • Cherry Blade Lemonade
  • Champagne
  • Citrus Twist
  • Cotton Candy
  • Lemon Drop
  • Bangster Berry
  • Rainbow Unicorn
  • Peach Mango
  • Frose Rose
  • Pina Colada
  • Power Punch
  • Purple Guava Pear
  • Root Beer
  • Purple Haze
  • Sour Heads (caffeine free version available)
  • Star Blast

Comparison Between Bang And Other Energy Drink Brands

Standard Values (per 16 fl.oz)BangMonsterRed Bull
Energy0 calories240 calories210 calories
Fat (Of which saturated)0g (0g)0g (0g)0g (0g)
Carbohydrates (of which sugars)0g (0g)60g (55g)56g (52g)
Caffeine300mg179mg151mg
Sodium40mg370mg210mg
Protein0g2.28g0g
Calcium5mg
Magnesium5mg
Vitamin C27mg
Vitamin B35mg51.5mg43mg
Vitamin B60.5mg10.7mg40mg
Vitamin B121.5μg13 µg9.6μg
A side-by-side comparison between Bang and some other popular energy drinks brands.

What stands out about Bang is that it has zero calories and zero sugar compared to popular energy drink brands like Monster and Redbull, which contain a fair amount of both. This aspect is definitely an advantage given the trend towards healthier products.

On top of that, Bang also has additional ingredients like calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C which might be a hit among gym-goers. If you’re frequently hitting the gym, you might be interested in what Bang has to offer.

What Does Bang Energy Drink Taste Like?

The Bang Energy flavors that I’ve tried are Bangster Berry, Miami Cola and Blue Razz. Here’s my personal take on how they taste:

Bangster Berry

On my first sip, I immediately tasted a combination of strawberry, blueberry, and blackberry. There was an artificial element to it, but not overpowering. It wasn’t as bad as I was expecting it to be, and it left me with a bit of a blueberry aftertaste. This isn’t surprising since Bangster Berry is supposed to be a mixed berry flavor.

I’m a fan of berries so this was an enjoyable drink for me.

Miami Cola

I imagine this is how the flavor would be if Pepsi and Coca-Cola had a child. Spoiler alert: It’s pretty good if you like cola! Though, the aftertaste has a slight hint of cough syrup. Still, this is a refreshing flavor for me and one of the best flavors from Bang that I’ve tasted so far.

However, I have noticed that reviews of Miami Cola seem to be pretty divisive. People seem to either love it or hate it, with not many people giving it an average grade.

Blue Razz

This is a unique sweet and sour combination flavor. It’s apparently a blue raspberry flavor. It’s not terrible; it just needs some getting used to, for me at least. I find that the sweetness in Blue Razz goes a little overboard though, but that’s probably to compensate for the sour taste.

Does Bang Energy Drink Actually Work?

From personal experience, Bang Energy does work really well. I mean it’s not surprising given its massive 300mg of caffeine, you’d expect it too.

I usually prefer around 100mg of caffeine per drink, so I don’t usually go for energy drinks with as much caffeine as Bang.

I was expecting a headache and maybe some jitters after drinking a Bang, but to my delight, I didn’t experience any of those, which I found a bit curious.

The boost is really smooth and definitely helped me power through my afternoon. The effects seemed to last for about 3 hours or so before I started noticing lower energy levels again.

However, I wouldn’t recommend Bang if you’re doing something light and casual like chores around the house. Bang energy drink really jacks up your energy levels to the max with all that caffeine, so unless you’re lifting weights or really need a strong boost, you’ll be more likely to feel restless after a Bang compared to something with less caffeine in it, like Red Bull.

Bang Energy Drink Warning Label

Bang warning labels
The warning labels are on the back of the can.

Every can of Bang Energy comes with a distinct and easy-to-read warning label on the back.

It says:

  • Not recommended for use by individuals under the age of 18.
  • Do not use this product if you’re pregnant or nursing.
  • Do not consume this product if you are taking any prescription drugs and/or have a medical condition.
  • This product contains caffeine and should not be used with any other caffeine-containing products.
  • This product is intended for use by healthy individuals only.

For an energy drink, Bang sure has a ton of warnings that you need to take note of.

Bang Energy isn’t recommended for individuals under 18 since they’re more likely to develop adverse effects from the Bang’s high caffeine content, like heart palpitations, insomnia, and headaches; they’re also at higher risk of developing an addiction and abuse of energy drinks.

Research has found that individuals under the age of 18 who have a habit of drinking energy drinks are more likely to smoke, use drugs, and develop other high-risk behaviours.

Some have even called energy drinks a “gateway drug”, but I find that to be a bit of a stretch.

As for the other warnings, they’re pretty much self-explanatory and you might want to get your doctor’s advice if you’re still keen on having Bang energy drinks.

Lawsuit Against VPX’s Bang Energy Misbranded ‘SUPER CREATINE’

In 2018, Thermolife International, LLC, a sports nutrition and supplement manufacturer, filed a lawsuit against Vital Pharmaceuticals, Inc (VPX) for false advertisement and marketing, as well as the misbranding of ‘Super Creatine’.

Creatine is a popular sports supplement that’s been proven to increase muscle mass, improve physical performance and enhance strength. On the other hand, Super Creatine, according to VPX, is the ‘world’s only water-soluble creatine’, which seems to mean that it’ll dissolved faster in our bodies after ingestion.

However, Thermolife’s complaint explained that Super Creatine is NOT creatine at all (cue gasp) and doesn’t actually form creatine after ingestion. It further elaborated that VPX’s Super Creatine is apparently a covalently bonded creatine dipeptide and actually breaks down into creatinine, a waste product from the wear and tear of your muscles.

Each can of Bang Energy has a label stating that it contains creatine, which isn’t true at all according to Thermolife. As such, this is allegedly false advertising and renders Bang Energy drinks ‘misbranded’. In the United States, misbranded products are prohibited for sale.

This isn’t the only lawsuit that VPX has faced either. Rival companies like Monster have also filed similar lawsuits against VPX.

My opinion on the whole ‘Super Creatine’ thing?

Personally, I see it as a marketing strategy. I find it hard to believe that Super Creatine actually exists for two reasons; it’s only mentioned in “trace amounts” and there’s little info about it online. In a way, putting the term Super Creatine while advertising Bang products is a tactic to make it stand out among other brands.

In short, I think that Super Creatine is most likely marketing fluff. But this is simply my opinion, so do your own research on Super Creatine if you’re interested to learn more about it.

Are Bang Energy Drinks Safe?

There’s a lot of controversies surrounding Bang Energy products and their ingredients. But there’s nothing to worry about as long as you limit your intake.

In general, Bang Energy drinks are safe provided that you drink them in moderation.

Translation: stick to no more than one can of Bang in a day.

The reason? A single 16 fl.oz can of Bang contains 300mg of caffeine, which is skirting pretty close to the FDA’s recommended maximum daily caffeine limit of 400mg for healthy adults.

Going over the limit will put you at risk of side effects like:

  • Restlessness
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Increased body temperature
  • Headache
  • Dehydration
  • Shakiness
  • Vomiting
  • Fast/irregular heartbeat

Of course, if you have a high caffeine metabolism, you won’t have much of a problem handling the elevated caffeine content in Bang. Though, it still isn’t a good idea to chug more than one can of Bang energy drink per day.

On the contrary, if your tolerance to caffeine isn’t very high, but you’re still interested in trying Bang, I’d advise you to sip it slowly rather than chug a whole can, so that you won’t be overwhelmed by the effects of all that caffeine.

If you start feeling unwell or woozy while having Bang, it’s time to put that drink down, take a timeout and get yourself a glass of water to alleviate the effects.

Bang Energy Drink Side Effects

Girl under white fur textile covers.
Excessive consumption of energy drinks may lead to some nasty side effects.

Although Bang doesn’t contain any calories or sugar, it has a lot of caffeine.

Plus, energy drinks generally don’t really provide you with sufficient nutrients and an excessive or uncontrolled intake could lead to possible negative effects, including:

  • Insomnia
  • Weight gain
  • Shaking
  • Headaches
  • Chest pain
  • Caffeine addiction
  • Respiratory problems
  • High blood pressure
  • Caffeine overdose

For more info about the potential side effects of energy drinks like Bang, check out this video:

Bang Energy Price

On Amazon, a 12-pack of Bang Energy costs around $26, which means that one can of Bang costs around $2 to $2.50, before shipping costs.

The prices may also vary from time to time, so don’t be shocked if you see a different price when you check Amazon or Ebay.

In my opinion, Bang Energy is quite affordable compared to other brands, which are typically all priced somewhere around the $2-$3 mark.

In addition to the above, you can also buy Bang Energy from their official website or from other sites like Campusprotein, and GNC.

For a full list of all the best places to buy Bang online, including a comparison of all the prices, check out my other article that I’ve linked to here that covers absolutely everything you need to know.

List Of Energy Drink Recommendations

If Bang Energy isn’t your thing, that’s absolutely fine. The high caffeine content in Bang isn’t suitable for everyone.

But if energy drinks are what keep you going, here’s a list of some other great options to try:

  • Red Bull
  • Monster
  • Rockstar
  • Reign
  • Game Fuel
  • Raze
  • Mountain Dew Kickstart
  • Celsius
  • C4 Energy
  • AMP Energy
  • Bing
  • 3D Energy
  • Guru
  • Rip It
  • Xtend
  • Xyience
  • XS Energy

Let’s not forget about powdered energy drinks too. There are tons of great choices when it comes to energy drink mixes:

  • G Fuel
  • Zipfizz
  • Advocare Spark
  • Rogue

Bang Energy Final Verdict

Overall, I would give Bang Energy a solid 8 out of 10. It has a wide selection of flavors, so there’s something for everyone.

Bang’s elevated caffeine content makes a great energy boost that lasts for several hours – but only if you can handle it. Though the caffeine content isn’t for everyone as not everyone can handle 300mg of caffeine.

I like the fact that it is sugar-free and doesn’t have any calories. The price is fairly reasonable too since it’s around the same price as most other brands out there.

Ultimately, Bang works well as an energy drink but the catch is that you need a high caffeine tolerance to drink Bang. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, Bang may not be for you but don’t stress about it, there are plenty of other energy drink brands on the market that’ll fit your needs perfectly.

I hope you found this article helpful and informative, enjoy your day!

Check out the Web Story version of this article here.

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