What Is UPTIME Energy?
UPTIME Energy is a line of energy drinks that are proposed to maximize your performance while providing the focus you need for success.
Uptime Energy Drinks contain an amount of caffeine comparable to a single cup of coffee and allegedly a fraction of the ingredients offered in other energy drinks.
The company claims that each bottle:
- Provides refreshing all-natural flavors
- Promotes clarity and focus
- Delivers a balanced energy boost
But does UPTIME’s blend of ingredients pack enough punch to accomplish these goals?
In this article, we’ll review any scientific support for the ingredients that are behind the proposed benefits of UPTIME Energy.
The UPTIME Ingredients: Do They Work?
UPTIME offers 3 flavors: Original Citrus, Blood Orange, and White Peach lemonade. Each comes in a sugar-free and can sugar option.
The list of ingredients remains the same for each option, though the calorie and sugar content varies:
- Filtered Carbonated Water
- Cane Sugar
- Natural Flavors
- Citric Acid, Calcium Citrate
- Natural Caffeine
- Potassium Benzoate (Preservative)
- Potassium Sorbate (Preservative)
- L-Theanine
- Ascorbic Acid
- Panax Ginseng Root Extract
- Angelica Root Extract
- Coenzyme Q10
So far, at least one of UPTIME’s claims seems to hold up. The ingredient list is simple and includes little more than natural flavoring and sweeteners, preservatives, and some extracts.
The ascorbic acid accounts for the vitamin C content, while the sugar cane is responsible for the extra calorie and sugar. The remaining ingredients may contribute to the mental clarity and energy-boosting effects of UPTIME Energy.
Mental Clarity and Focus
Panax Ginseng Root Extract & L-Theanine
Ginseng comes from the roots of plants that grow in mountainous regions of Eastern Asia. Used in natural medicine for centuries, these ingredients may offer a wide range of health benefits.
The mental benefits were demonstrated in a randomized trial; those that consumed 400mg improved calmness and math skills.
L-theanine is an amino acid with a suspected ability to improve mental focus. It is found in black and green teas.
Not as extensively studied as ginseng, the effects of L-Theanine related to mental function have been demonstrated when combined with caffeine. Specifically, 97mg of L-Theanine improved alertness.
While these ingredients may support alertness, UPTIME does not provide the quantity.
The lack of quantity disclosure makes it challenging to determine if the contents of their energy drinks are comparable to doses found beneficial in research studies.
Energy
Coenzyme Q10 & Natural Caffeine - 142mg
Coenzyme Q10 is a component of your body’s cellular environment that plays a vital role in generating energy. When supplemented, it may improve energy and athletic performance.
In a recent review, coenzyme Q10 supplementation improved fatigue in 10 of 16 studies. These results were demonstrated in both healthy individuals, as well as those with chronic medical conditions.
Also, time to exhaustion on a treadmill improved in those that consumed 200mg daily for 8-weeks.
Caffeine is a stimulant that offers both mental and energy-boosting benefits.
Those that consumed 2mg/kg body weight of caffeine reported fewer lapses of attention, decreased anxiety, and an elevated sense of alertness.
A later review confirmed these findings; 40mg-300mg doses improved alertness, attention, and reaction time.
The energy-related effects of caffeine are also well documented. A recent review of 34 studies detailed many of the benefits of use in athletics.
Caffeine consumption at doses ranging from 3 to 6mg/kg body weight improved vertical jump, sprinting speed, and performance during agility tests.
While coenzyme Q10 consumption may improve fatigue and athletic performance, UPTIME does not detail the quantity of this ingredient. The company does provide the amount of caffeine included, however. The caffeine dose seems to fall within a safe and effective range.
Is UPTIME Safe?
Unfortunately, UPTIME only shares the quantity of caffeine. The few ingredients included in their energy drinks are generally safe to consume, however.
As caffeine is a stimulant, you are most likely to experience side effects with this ingredient.
UPTIME offers much less than the 400mg daily limit that is considered to be safe, but adding their energy drinks to your coffee, tea, and soda intake may place you at risk.
Consuming more can result in nervousness, anxiety, irritability, nausea, tremors, sweating, restlessness, dizziness, irregular heartbeats, and elevated blood pressure.
In fact, the rapid consumption of 1,200mg of caffeine can cause seizures.
For these reasons, be sure to speak with your physician about using this product. Never consume energy drinks other than as recommended.
What Does UPTIME Energy Cost?
You won’t be able to purchase UPTIME Energy Drinks on their site, though they do link you to Amazon.
All 3 flavors are available in both sugar-free and cane sugar options at Amazon; a 12 pack is $29.99. The drinks are prime eligible and there is currently an additional 20% promotion.
Though the company does not seem to back purchases with any guarantee, Amazon prime does offer free returns.
Are There Any Alternatives?
A quick internet search is likely to reveal many energy drinks, all with varying ingredient labels.
While many contain artificial ingredients, processed sugars, and highly concentrated forms of caffeine, many companies claim to boost energy naturally.
Energy Bomb Mix is a good example.
Each scoop of this powdered mix offers an amount of caffeine comparable to one cup of coffee. Similar to UPTIME, this product offers a few extracts and avoids added sugars.
You may also save on this product as it costs $29.90 for 40 servings.
The Bottom Line
Available scientific research seems to support the claims made by UPTIME. While caffeine likely accounts for much of the mental and energy-boosting effects, they do not provide enough details for the other ingredients to allow a comparison.
Nonetheless, these drinks remain popular among users; a whopping 81% of 332 customers offered a 5-star rating. Those that are pleased mention enjoying the flavors and a gentle energy boost that seems to last much of the day.
While this product is likely safe, you should mention any interest to add a stimulant-containing energy drink to your doctor, especially if you have an existing heart condition.
