If you’re a night shift worker or a student and you need an instant boost of energy, XS can be a good fit for you.
XS energy drink is a carbonated energy drink containing large doses of vitamin B with fewer calories and many other ingredients. It claims to give you a positive blast of energy without any added sugar too.
I was surprised that XS has a lot of flavours and it made me all the more excited to try the drink! Read on for a comprehensive review of XS and see for yourself if it walks the talk.
Contents
XS Energy Drink Ingredients
- Carbonated Water
- Citric Acid
- Taurine
- L-Glutamine
- Acesulfame K
- Caffeine
- Sodium Benzoate (Preservative)
- Potassium Sorbate (Preservative)
- Caramel Color
- Sucralose
- Niacinamide
- Calcium d-Pantothenate
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
- Natural Flavor
- Panax Ginseng Root Extractive
- Elderberry Extract Concentrate (Color)
- American Ginseng Root Extract.
- Vegetable Juice (Color)
- Cyanocobalamin
XS Energy Drink Nutrition Facts
| Serving size: 1 can, 8.4 fl oz (250 mL) | |
| Calories | 10 |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 15 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 0 g |
| Total Sugars | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Niacin | 16 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 5 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 118 mcg |
| Pantothenic Acid | 5 mg |
XS Energy Drink contains important minerals, B vitamins, and amino acids to help power you through the day. Plus, increases your energy levels without retaining extra fat and carbs.
Caffeine in XS Energy Drink
XS Energy Drink contains about 80 mg of caffeine per can.
Caffeine activates the central nervous system, which means greater wakefulness and focus, better cognition, and improved overall body coordination.
Every person requires a different quantity of caffeine required to induce its effects due to factors like body size and caffeine tolerance. The onset of these effects is immediate and usually lasts up to an hour. Caffeine is known to give benefits at concentrations as low as 32 mg.
In comparison, XS energy drink contains less caffeine than a cup of coffee. I’d say that’s enough to get you energized for a few hours but not strong enough to give you jitters or headaches.
The FDA has set a 400 mg daily caffeine intake limit for healthy adults. Going beyond this limit can cause negative side effects such as anxiety, insomnia, and increased heart rate.
Still, this limit is an estimate as caffeine can affect us all differently. If you’re not used to it, 80 mg can be quite a lot already.
The amount in XS is within the prescribed range and can be consumed in place of highly caffeinated beverages. Here is a video about the standard caffeine limits:
Vitamins in XS energy drink
XS energy drinks contain B vitamins that aid in the maintenance of our body’s energy production process. Vitamin B complex aids in the prevention of infections as well as the support for the promotion of
- Cell health
- Formation of red blood cells
- Levels of energy
- Excellent vision
- Brain function that is normal
- Excellent digestion
- A good appetite
- Normal nerve function
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
It helps in the metabolism of your body in converting food into energy. Riboflavin is also necessary for cell function, growth, and development.
Vitamin B3 (niacin)
B3 assists your body in converting the food you consume into energy. It can also help boost your cognitive function and lower the risk for diabetes.
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) helps in the production of coenzyme A (CoA) and the acyl carrier protein, which helps in carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism.
How Much Sugar is Present in XS Energy Drink?
XS contains less than half the calories of sugar which are qualified as no sugar in the United States.
As compared to other energy drinks available in the market that are over 100 calories filled with 27 to 30 grams of added sugar. That can lead to increased fat deposits due to a high glycemic index.
To give the drinks their outstanding flavour without added sugar or empty calories, XS beverages employ a mix of Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, and fruit essences to give it a great flavour without increasing the carbs.
Artificial sweeteners are FDA-approved and are even considered a better alternative than regular sugar since they are low-calorie and don’t affect blood glucose levels, making them suitable for diabetics.
How Many Calories are in an XS Energy Drink?
XS energy drink has 10 calories per can which are based on a 2000 calorie-a-day diet. All the daily values mentioned in the nutritional label of XS are according to the standards set by FDA.
An adult requires about 2000 calories to function normally and the 10 calories added by XS is nothing to worry about. If you are on a calorie-deficit diet it will not interfere with weight loss but will give you the energy to function throughout the day.
Which Colouring Dyes are Used in XS Energy Drink?
XS energy drinks contain 2 of the popular and most used food colourings: Tartrazine (2mg) in the Citrus flavour and Allura Red #40 (2.5mg) in the Cranberry one. These are the 2 food colours approved by the Australia Food Standards Code.
Both are used to enhance the natural colours of these drinks. current studies have not shown any damaging impacts from these colours at extremely low levels used in XS.
Other colourants are vegetable juice and elderberry extract concentrate which is suitable for usage in hard candies, water, and fruit ice. It is a natural colourant that dissolves in water and gives a beautiful deep purple colour.
Is XS Safe to Drink?
All ingredients used in XS energy drinks are safe to consume within the prescribed limits by FDA.
But according to the official website of XS Energy Drinks are not recommended for pregnant, breastfeeding mothers or anyone with a caffeine sensitivity. Caffeine is also not recommended for those under the age of 18 since it can affect children’s development.
As long as you’re a healthy adult, you can consume XS in moderation. Do take note that our caffeine tolerance may differ and what’s just right for me may be overwhelming for you.
Is XS Good for You?
After consuming XS the caffeine will kick in within 15 minutes. It will hit its peak within 1 hour and remains in the bloodstream for a few hours. Even after 5-6 hours, the caffeine remains in the body until it finally exits after a few more hours.
XS has plenty of B vitamins they are water-soluble in nature and their excess can be flushed out of the body easily after providing its nourishment. Other ingredients give you the power to function for a few hours. XS is keto-friendly and all of its ingredients are gluten-free as well.
XS Energy Drink Flavor Review
- Wild Berry
- Tropical
- Root Beer
- Naranja
- Variety Case
- Caffeine-Free Cranberry-Grape
- Classic
- Summit
- Citrus
- Black Cherry Cola
- Lemon
- Cranberry-Grape
- Tamarindo
One of the things that I look for in an energy drink is a wide flavour range. Customers can have different tastes, so I’m glad to see brands that are trying to cater to them.
Most of XS’ flavours are fruit-based and for the most part, they did nail the authenticity of the flavours. I particularly liked the lemon flavour. Very crisp and fresh with a dash of sweetness and the trademark lemon-y tartness.
Tropical Blast is also a fun drink for the summer! Very fruity and refreshing but there is a slight artificial aftertaste that may be off-putting for most people.
Root beer is also a stand out among the others. I don’t really encounter many root beer flavoured energy drinks, so it was a welcome surprise. It’s a lot subtler and darker in its taste, but all in all very appealing.
After drinking one can of XS, I was able to get a decent energy boost that lasted me through the morning and didn’t affect my sleep later that night. It wasn’t super strong, but that’s to be expected since it has low caffeine content.
XS Energy Drink Price
One of XS’ disadvantages is that it can cost you quite a lot. A twelve-pack on Amazon costs $42, meaning one can retails for around $4.50 dollars.
I find that very expensive since there are other energy drink brands out there that can offer you the same benefits and flavours with just one dollar per serving.
Another thing is that Amway, XS’ manufacturer, is a multi-level company. This means that members buy the energy drinks in bulk and sell them at an increased price to offload their initial costs. So don’t be surprised if you see a lot of sellers on eBay or Amazon selling XS at varying prices.
Alternatives to XS
Other notable mentions
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’m giving XS a 7/10. I like that it’s loaded with micronutrients and has minimal caffeine, calories, and no sugar. This lessens the chances of consumers getting negative side effects.
Its wide flavour range is also great since you can have a lot of options to choose from. The flavours are very close to the real thing except for some hints of artificial aftertaste in some of them.
The energy boost was nice and I didn’t experience any side effects. It’s not strong enough for intense gym sessions or anything, but it will get you through your morning. And you know me, I like my caffeine as minimal as possible to stay healthy!
I guess the downside to XS would be its high price. With each can coming in at around $3 to $4, many of you would find that unreasonable and I can definitely see why.