Everybody’s looking for an energy boost, but very few of us want to rely on overloads of caffeine, sugars, artificial sweeteners, or other stimulants that might cause jitters, anxiety, heart palpitations, etc. The energy drink market is saturated with just that – overloads of caffeine and other not-so-healthy stuff. But there are some great alternatives to mainstream energy drinks, if you know what to look for.
These are the top 10 healthy energy drinks that offer clean, steady, nature-sourced energy that won’t mess up your diet, or your day:
1. MTE
This product is a game-changer when it comes to sustained, steady energy that doesn’t ruin your mood or your sleep. MTE uses a proprietary blend of 11 adaptogens, nootropics and superfoods that support your brain’s dopaminergic system and your body’s energy production. With only 50mg of caffeine, all natural, plant-sourced ingredients, no artificial sweeteners, MTE is also friendly to a wide variety of limited diets, including vegan and keto.
2. Cruz De Malta Yerba Mate
This yerba mate producer has been around for 150 years, so you know it’s good. Yerba mate is a tea made from the yerba mate plant, and is super popular in Latin and South Americas. All-natural and zero calories, yerba mate doesn’t only give a clean, sustained energy, but may also have positive effects on heart health and immunity.
3. Magic Mind
This energy drink is another product that utilizes nootropics and adaptogens to hack the body back into balance, encouraging energy production while buffering stress, much like MTE. Magic Mind uses matcha as its caffeine source and clocks in at about 55mg caffeine per drink – less than half a cup of coffee.
4. REIZE
REIZE is also a caffeine-conscious energy drink that focuses on using an effective combination of natural ingredients to give you an energy boost that’s more comprehensive than what coffee has to offer. Containing 50mg of caffeine per packet (powder form) or 80mg caffeine per can (liquid form), REIZE utilizes taurine, ginseng and B vitamins to support energy production, nutrient absorption and stress relief.
5. All Phenoms
This company offers 3 types of energy-boosting drinks, all of which are only 10 calories and contain no added sugars or artificial sweeteners. At 80mg of caffeine, you’re still at less than a cup of coffee. All Phenoms’ natural energy drinks use nootropics, probiotics and botanicals to support your body’s immune system, energy and focus.
6. Good Idea Sparkling Water
Good Idea offers a limited line of energy-boosting sparkling waters, none of which have any caffeine. Promising support for metabolism, energy and blood sugar, Good Idea uses a blend of amino acids and chromium picolinate to naturally support your body’s energy production.
7. Riff Energy+
Riff is the we’re-coffee-but-not-coffee brand. Made from a different part of the coffee fruit, Riff Energy+ offers clean energy and tastes nothing like coffee. It’s got a more caffeine than we’d like at 120mg per can, but its antioxidants, superfoods, and focus on sustainable and socially-equitable production set it at number 7 on our list.
8. Nuun Energy
This product actually comes in tablets you dissolve in water, making it super-portable and also more sustainable than drink-by-drink packaging. Focused on electrolyte balance and hydration, Nuun Energy tablets are vegan, Kosher and gluten-free. This energy drink uses a blend of B vitamins, 20mg ginseng and 80mg organic caffeine from green tea to give an antioxidant-heavy energy boost.
9. Your Super Energy Bomb
Your Super Energy Bomb is marketed as a pre-workout booster, but is great for a pared-down energy boost any time. Made of only 5 ingredients, this healthy energy drink uses superfoods that work together to support energy, metabolism, immunity, and overall health with just 40mg of caffeine per serving.
10. Mdrive Start
One of the reasons Mdrive Start isn’t farther up the list is that it’s only marketed to men, for some reason. Despite that, the nutrition, protein kick, the collagen, and the BCAAs have got us on board. This product offers overall support for energy, health and joints, all with only 50mg of caffeine per serving. And there’s nothing indicating people besides men can’t use it, too.
See? There’s a lot to choose from if you’re looking to nix your coffee addiction without foregoing any resource to give you a boost of energy. Whether it’s for physical activity or mental focus, you can get the support you need without all that caffeine, chemicals and sugar. Have you tried any of these healthy energy drinks? Let us know in the comments below.