Review and Ingredients List for Celsius Energy Drink
And you know those companies I’m talking about – the ones putting profit margins first, with big advertising budgets positioning themselves in front of unsuspecting victims who are yanked into their cult-like brand following.
And let me be clear: there is NOTHING wrong with a brand having a cult-like following.
It just kinda ticks me off a bit when the product they push is laced with sugar, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, along with artificial colors and flavors.
It’s enough to make you sick!
So when Celsius Energy Drink came busting into the scene, I was, naturally, a skeptic.
Luckily for me, Celsius was doing product sampling/demo at a local Vitamin Shoppe and I decided, “ah what the heck, let’s give these guys a try.”
As the Celsius rep explained their company values and their ingredients (and lack of), I sipped and assessed, combing over the label much like you might do at a wine tasting. I was sold.
It wasn’t long until I had a pantry stocked full of my favorite flavor – Sparkling Orange, and touting their unique selling proposition all over my social media networks trying to recruit anyone and everyone I could.
Yes, they’re that good. And just for the record, energy drinks are nothing new to me.
Being that I’ve been “around the block”, I’ve discovered that I’m pretty sensitive to stimulants (like what’s found in most pre-workouts and fat burners), so when I’m on a quest for a pick-me-up, I need something that does the job without any of the crazy side effects that makes me want to crawl out of my skin.
There have been some brands that I liked and drank in the past, but it wasn’t until I found Celsius that I truly understood what a real energy drink was supposed to do for me.
If you currently drink energy drinks, let me ask you…
– Does your energy drink help you burn calories?
– Does it contain natural, safe ingredients?
– Does it taste delicious?
Unless you drink Celsius, you probably answered “no” to at least two of these.
Celsius has none of the bad stuff!
One of the things I LOVE and a major consideration I make when it comes to energy drinks is that Celsius does not contain any of the crappy ingredients, like –
- Sugar
- Aspartame
- High sodium
- Artificial preservatives
- High fructose corn syrup
- Artificial colors
- Artificial flavors
Celsius is sweetened with sucrose and uses beta-carotene and other natural ingredients for color.
Wondering what else is in your Celsius Energy Drink? Here’s a thorough list of the ingredients — because what you put inside of your body MATTERS.
The Ingredients, Benefits and Side Effects:
Vitamins and Minerals
- Vitamin C (absorbic acid) is a water soluble vitamin and powerful antioxidant, it helps the body form and maintain connective tissue, including bones, blood vessels and skin. It is necessary for growth, development and repair of all body tissues. Anywhere from 500 mg to 2,000 mg (the upper limit) is considered safe. The benefits of Vitamin C may include protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and skin wrinkling. Vitamin C is not stored in the body (only fat soluble vitamins are A,E, D and K) so overdose is unlikely. If you do go over 2,000 mg you could experience diarrhea.
- Riboflavin is a yellow, water soluble vitamin of the B complex that is essential for metabolic energy production. It is crucial for breaking down food components, absorbing other nutrients and maintaining tissue. Our body needs vitamin B2 to breakdown macro-nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates and fats). The benefits of riboflavin include healthy eyes, nerves, muscles and skin. It also helps with the hormone production of the adrenal glands. For healthy adults, 1.1 – 1.3 mg a day is recommended. There has been no reports of overdose from vitamin B2 because excess gets excreted in urine.
- Niacin (as niacinamide) is vitamin B3. Niacin causes the blood vessels to dilate (or open) under the skin, which results in a hot, tingling sensation by a red flushing of the skin. *Celsius only has 20 mg, so you will not experience this. 50 mg of niacin is typically the amount that people will experience this. The health benefits of vitamin B3 (niacin) include reduction of blood pressure, improved circulation of the legs and feet in diabetics and the elderly, relief from moderate arthritis, reversing heart disease, limiting motion sickness and help with insomnia. The side affects of taking too much can include liver damage and irritation of the stomach lining.
- Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine hydrochloride) is important for cardiovascular, digestive, immune, muscular and nerve system function. Vitamin B6 is needed for proper brain development and function and to make the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, which affect mood. The recommended amount for healthy adults under the age of 50 is 1.3 mg. Consuming more than 100 mg in a day may increase the risk of health problems such as nausea, abdominal pain and neurological disorders.
- Vitamin B12 (as cyanocobalamin) is required for proper function and development of the brain, nerves, blood cells and many other parts of the body. Vitamin B12 is needed to convert carbohydrates into glucose in the body, decreasing fatigue and lethargy. Vitamin B12 has also been shown to reduce depression, stress and brain shrinkage and regulate the nervous system. It is also crucial for healthy hair, skin and nails. Vitamin B12 has also been shown to help maintain a healthy digestive system, protect against cancers like breast, colon, lung and prostate and strokes. A safe dose for healthy adults is 2.4 mcg. The only side affects I could find were acne and rosacea.
For more health benefits on Vitamin B, click here
- Biotin, also known as vitamin H, is one of the B vitamins that helps convert food into energy. Biotin help your hair, skin, nails, nervous system and liver stay healthy. Between 30 – 100 mcg is recommended daily for adults and adolescents. There are no known toxicity symptoms associated with taking too much biotin.
- Pantothenic Acid (as calcium d-pantothenate), known as vitamin B5, is important for our bodies to properly use carbohydrates, proteins and fats and for healthy skin. Vitamin B5 is used to help treat everything from anxiety, skin issues, signs of aging, shingles, chronic fatigue syndrome – the list goes on. The recommended amount for adults is 5 – 10 mg per day. There are no known side affects and it is considered “likely safe”.
- Calcium (as calcium carbonate) is needed in the body for healthy bones, muscle, nervous system and heart. If you’re lactose intolerant, follow a vegan diet, consume a lot of protein or sodium (which leaches out calcium from our bones) or have osteoporosis, taking a calcium supplement might be a good idea (ask your doctor first). The recommended dosage varies, depending on your age and any conditions.
- Chromium (chelate) is a mineral our bodies use in small amounts for normal bodily functions, such as digesting food. Chromium helps to move blood sugar (glucose) from the bloodstream into the cells to be used as energy and to turn protein, carbohydrates and fats into energy. Chromium helps slow the loss of calcium, so it may help prevent bone loss in woman during menopause. Excessive chromium can lead to stomach problems and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Too much chromium from supplements can also damage the liver, kidneys, and nerves and may cause irregular heart rhythm. If you take antacids (including calcium carbonate) they may interfere with the absorption of chromium. Anywhere between 20-35 mcg/day is recommended.
MetaPlus® Propriety Blend 1,810mg
- Taurine is an amino acid that supports neurological development and helps regulate the level of water and minerals in the blood. It is said that taurine also has antioxidant properties. Some studies suggest that it may support athletic performance and mental performance (when combined with caffeine). Up to 3,000 mg a day is generally considered to be safe.
- Guarana extract (seed) is a plant named for the guarani tribe in the Amazon. Guarana is used for weightloss, to help increase athletic performance, and to reduce mental and physical fatigue. Guarana has other uses such as treating joint pain, fluid retention, improving exercise endurance, improving short term, high intensity performance, helping with CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) and increasing blood pressure in people who have low blood pressure. 200 mg and under is considered safe.
- Green tea leaf extract is an herbal derivative of green tea leaves that contains antioxidant ingredients. Green tea has been shown to improve mental focus and thinking. It can also be used for weight loss, stomach disorders, preventing bone loss, decreasing solid tumors. Upwards of 250 mg a day is considered safe (one cup has about 80 mg).
- Caffeine is a crystalline compound found in tea and coffee plants and is a stimulant of the central nervous system. Caffeine is used in both prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines to treat tiredness and drowsiness. Caffeine has been shown to help with weight loss by speeding up the metabolism, athletic performance, brain function, cognitive decline and memory. For healthy adults, 400 mg a day is considered the upper limit.
- Glucuronolactone is a chemical that occurs naturally in the body and is used to build many of the connective tissues (joints, tendons, ligaments elastic). It keeps your liver’s stores of glycogen higher for longer, resulting in more energy sustained for longer periods of time. Aside from its normal uses, there are some people that claim that the substance is of use for detoxifying the body, although whether this is true or not hasn’t been conclusively proven. So I did some digging. 🙂 At least six articles I read claimed that it did, indeed, help with liver detoxification. I couldn’t find a safe uptake (I searched for awhile), but come back at a later date and I’ll try to revise this area.
- Ginger extract (root) is among one of the healthiest spices on Earth, and is closely related to turmeric, cardomon and galangal. Ginger has been used to help with digestion, reduce nausea and help fight the flu and cold, among other things. It also has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Ginger has been shown to be effective against exercise-induced muscle pain. Ginger has been shown to lower blood sugar levels (anti-diabetic properties) and improve heart disease risk factors in patients with type-2 diabetes. There is also some evidence that shows that ginger can enhance brain function directly. Ginger, itself, in any form, has so many health benefits. Ginger root is considered safe.
- Other Ingredients (in Celsius): carbonated filtered water, citric acid (vitamin C), natural flavors, sucralose (splenda, no calorie sweetener), beta-carotene for color.
*Contains: 200mg total caffeine per serving
How does Celsius help you burn up to 100 calories per 12 ounce can?
Studies and research, that’s how!
Celsius says it best here: http://celsius.com/the-science-2/
Where Can I Find Celsius?
Most places that sell supplements and protein shakes will sell Celsius.
- Grocery stores like Winn Dixie and Publix sell them in four packs on the shelf, but not in single cans from a cooler.
- The Vitamin Shoppe and GNC sell both four packs, 12 packs and single-serve cans in the cooler section.
- Gas stations such as Race Trac and Shell carry the Sparkling Orange (carbonated) and Raspberry Acai Green tea (uncarbonated).
- Recently launched, 7Eleven now carries Celsius in four flavors: Sparkling Grape Rush, Sparkling Orange, Raspberry Acai Green Tea and Mango Peach Green tea. They are Buy One get One Free at participating 7 Elevens up until May 3, 2016.
- Popular gyms like L A Fitness and Golds, and mom-and-pop facilities like crossfit centers carry them in a variety of flavors, cold and ready to drink.
For all locations go here: http://celsius.com/store-locator-2-2/
What Flavors Does Celsius Have?
My favorite is the Sparkling Orange! It’s not too sweet and has the right amount of carbonation. I look forward to mine every morning after breakfast, on the way to the gym. It gives me the perfect amount of focus and energy to power through my workout, and the best part – no crash!
Other flavors include:
- Sparkling Wild Berry
- Sparkling Cola
- Sparkling Watermelon (new)
- Sparkling Grape Rush (new)
- *Raspberry Acai Green Tea
- *Peach Mango Green Tea
*non-carbonated
Conclusion
I know this post is long, but I wanted you to know everything about Celsius Energy Drink – the ingredients, flavors, why it works and where you can find them.
I give Celsius 5 Stars across the board – for the delicious taste, the way it works in giving me steady, reliable energy, the affordable price and their healthy ingredients.
If you’re in the mood for tea, have a Raspberry Acai or Mango Peach Celsius – they’re great.
If you want something berry flavored or cola flavored, you have options there too.
I love that about Celsius!
I hope this review post has served you well.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask me!
*References about the ingredients are from WebMD and The Mayo Clinic
DISCLAIMER: I have NO affiliate relationship with Celsius, nor do I receive any compensation for writing this. This article is written out of 100% transparency for how I feel about Celsius Energy Drink.