Updated 8/7/23. Wouldn’t it be nice if you had more energy to get through your hectic day? That’s the premise of 5-Hour Energy, distributed by Living Essentials LLC. Is 5- Hour Energy safe? How much Caffeine does it have? Those are some of the questions I want to address in this 5 Hour Energy review. Also, see these reviews:
6-Hour Power energy shot review
What Is 5-Hour Energy?
The 5-Hour Energy website claims that the product has no sugar and no herbal stimulants. Each bottle is 2 oz. As such, this energy drink is one the smallest in quantity on the market. There are actually three different types of five-hour energy:
- Original 5 Hour Energy5
- Extra strength 5 Hour Energy
- Decaf 5-Hour Energy
Here are the ingredients of each version
5-Hour Energy Ingredients
There are different versions of 5-Hour Energy, so here is a summary of each type.
Regular 5-Hour Energy
Ingredients:
- Niacin (as nicatinimide) 30 mg (150% daily value)
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride ) 40 mg (2000 % daily value)
- Folic acid 400 micrograms (100% daily value)
- Vitamin B12 500 micrograms (8333% daily value)
- Sodium 18 mg (less than 1% daily value)
“Energy Blend” 1870 mg. The energy blend contains:
- Taurine
- Glucuronolactone
- Malic acid
- N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine
- L Phenylanalyine
- Caffeine
- Citicoline
Extra Strength 5 Hour Energy
Ingredients:
- Niacin (as nicatinimide) 40 mg (200% daily value)
picture by joe cannon of supplementclarity.com - Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine hydrochloride ) 40 mg (2000 % daily value)
- Folic acid 400 micrograms (100% daily value)
- Vitamin B12 500 micrograms (8333% daily value
- Sodium 18 mg (less than 1% daily value)
“Energy Blend” 2000 mg. The energy blend contains:
- Taurine
- Glucuronolactone
- Malic acid
- N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine
- L Phenylanalyine
- Caffeine
- Citicoline
Decaf 5-Hour Energy
Ingredients:
- Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine hydrochloride ) 40 mg (2000 % DV)
- Folic acid 400 micrograms (100% daily value)
- Vitamin B12 500 micrograms (8333% daily value
- Sodium 18 mg (less than 1% daily value)
“Energy Blend” 2106 mg. The energy blend contains
- Taurine
- Glucuronolactone
- Malic acid
- N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine
- L Phenylanalyine
- Caffeine
- Citicoline
Notice the “decaf 5 hr energy” has caffeine. But how much does it have? The product's website does not say. We are only told that it has the same caffeine as a cup of “premium coffee.”The caffeine content of coffee can vary according to how the coffee was brewed.
Also, see the review of 5 Hour Energy With Protein for more on that version of the supplement.
How Much Caffeine Does It Have?
In an article written by Barry Meier, appearing in the New York Times on Nov 14, 2012, it's said that when Consumer Reports looked at 5-Hour Energy that they noted that it contained about 215 mg per serving. If this is true, then 5-Hour Energy has a lot more caffeine than I originally thought.
Remember to read my review of 6-Hour Power so you can compare that energy shot to 5-Hour Energy.
Let’s now briefly review some of the ingredients in 5-Hour Energy.
Niacin
It's said that niacin may cause a flushing effect however the niacin in 5 hr energy is in the form of niacinamide which is unlikely to cause flushing.
Because niacin is found in many foods it is very unlikely that healthy people are deficient. Niacin is gaining popularity in the anti-aging arena due to its ability to raise levels of a cellular energy substance called NAD.
Vitamin B 6
This vitamin, found naturally in nuts, beans, vegetables, grains and meat is needed for many things including burning fat and sugars as well as helping with the proper use of amino acids. Older adults and alcoholics may suffer from deficiencies in vitamin B 6. But, it is unlikely that healthy people are deficient in this vitamin.
Those who take too much vitamin B 6 may experience numbness or pain in the arms and legs and even difficulty walking due to this vitamins disruption of nerve impulses. These symptoms go away after vitamin B 6 supplementation has stopped. These effects do not normally occur when vitamin B 6 is consumed in food.
Can Vitamin B6 Alleviate Anxiety?
Watch on my Youtube channel if you like
Folic acid
This B vitamin is found in fruits and vegetables and is also one of the better-known ingredients in prenatal vitamins. Some medical professionals have recommended folic acid to lower heart disease but growing evidence does not support this practice.
Here are 3 facts about folic acid you don't know
Vitamin B 12
This vitamin is found in meat, fish and poultry. Most energy drinks often contain vitamin B 12 because most people believe it gives them energy. Vitamin B12 helps us make red blood cells and in those who have anemia, it might boost energy; however, healthy people store 3-5 years' worth of vitamin B 12, making deficiencies rare. There is no evidence that B12 supplements – or the B12 in energy drinks – boost energy levels. As such, the “B-12 gives you energy” notion is a complete myth.
Does Vitamin B 12 help weight loss? read my vitamin B12 weight loss review
Taurine
This is an amino acid found in eggs, meat, and dairy products. Humans can also make taurine from vitamin B 6. 
Some research finds taurine and caffeine can improve verbal skills and mental reasoning. Not much is known about the long-term use of high amounts of supplemental taurine. Not all energy drinks contain taurine.
Glucuronolactone
This ingredient is found in energy drinks, often alongside other ingredients like caffeine, taurine etc. There doesn't seem to be any research that this compound alone has any effect on energy levels. Likewise, no study appears to exist showing that this compound by itself improves exercise performance.
Malic Acid
Malic acid is sometimes found in anti-aging skin creams because it is an alpha–hydroxy acid. Malic acid helps remove dead skin cells and may temporarily plump up the skin, making wrinkles less noticeable (temporarily). I was unable to find any research that malic acid improved exercise performance or overall energy levels.
Tyrosine
This amino acid has been shown in a few studies to improve alertness in people and this is why it’s often found in energy drinks. 5-Hour Energy does not indicate how much tyrosine it contains. Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid because we can make it from the amino acid phenlanalyine, which 5-Hour Energy also contains.
Caffeine
In the world of energy drinks, caffeine is king. This is the main energy-boosting compound in 5-Hour Energy and all other energy drinks. Again, the New York Times reports that each serving of 5 Hour Energy has about 215 mg of caffeine.
Deaths Caused By Energy Drinks?
Citicoline
Citicoline is related to choline and is made during the production of other brain chemicals. Citicoline has been studied with some success in persons with senility where it might improve speaking ability and memory in older adults with dementia. This may be the reason it's found in this energy drink, the reasoning is that if it works in older, senile people, it may also do the same thing in healthy people. The issue is that nobody is sure if this happens. Side effects from long-term use are also not well known.
What About The Crash?
The 5-Hour Energy website defines a “crash” as the drop in energy levels that occurs after drinking a sugar-containing energy drink. To prove that 5-Hour Energy does not reduce energy levels, the website shows a graph indicating the results of a “clinical study” that compares 5-Hour Energy to two other “competing products”.
It is hard to determine how good this study is because:
No reference to where the study is published is listed. This means the study may not be peer-reviewed.
1. We are not told if the study was double-blind/placebo controlled.
2. We are not told how “energy levels” were measured.
3. We are not told how many people were in the study.
4. We are not told the names of the “competing products.”
Is 5-Hour Energy Safe?
As reported in the New York Times on November 14 2012, the FDA has, since 2008, been notified of 13 deaths that have been associated with 5-Hour Energy drink. Does that mean that 5-Hour Energy killed those 13 people? Not necessarily. I highly doubt that drinking one 5 Hour Energy would hurt hardly anybody – let alone result in death.
That said, I wonder how many 5 hour Energy drinks those people were taking? I don't know the answer to this question. The New York Times article on 5 Hour Energy quotes Living Essentials LLC – the company that makes 5 hour energy – as being marketed to “hardworking adults who need an extra boost of energy.” But, the TV commercials I see don't specifically say not to use the product if you are not “hard-working” – and nowhere do I remember seeing any ad that said “don't use if you're a kid.”
I see 5 Hour Energy sitting prominently in the checkout lines of supermarkets and convenience stores like 7-11 and Wawa, where anybody – including school kids – can buy it.
I think its important to know that caffeine can be fatal in very high doses. This amount is usually said to be 10-14 grams per day. That is A LOT compared to what is in 5 Hour Energy (about 215 mg), but as is reported in a caffeine and mental task performance review, side effects from caffeine – including significantly increased heart rate – can occur at intakes of 150-300 mg of caffeine.
Caffeine might also interact with blood thinner medications. Could this be one of the reasons leading to the 13 deaths associated with 5 Hour Energy? I don't know. Again, I think in “healthy” people, one 5 Hour Energy shot probably won't cause anything bad to happen.
But, in people who are not healthy – and take medications – I think the possibility exists, especially if that person thinks that 5 Hour Energy is safe – no matter how many they drink in a day. This, I think might lead to problems.
Both birth control pills and some ulcer medications might slow down the rate that caffeine is broken down, thus, leading to higher blood levels of caffeine. This might increase caffeine side effects. As a rule, ask your doctor or pharmacist about caffeine and 5 Hour Energy (and other energy drinks) if you take any medications, just to be on the safe side.
Does 5-Hour Energy Work?
I tried 5-Hour Energy for the first time just before I posted this blog. I drank one bottle of the lemon-lime flavor at and noted the time (2 PM) to see how quickly I might notice any effects.
The product didn’t taste as bad as I thought and was much less tangy than Red Bull.
After about 5 minutes, I felt an odd feeling in my stomach. I could also feel my heart beating a little which normally does not happen at rest. Overall, these feelings were not significant.
Over the course of 5 hours, I took note of my energy level to see if I felt any better than normal. I didn't. Unfortunately, I didn't notice any increase in energy levels over the 5 hours I took the product.
I did not notice any flushing feeling from the niacin. Other than feeling a little “out of kilter” – just feeling “different / not right” – I did not notice any added benefit to 5-Hour Energy.
Ironically, the product made me feel like I was not 100% if that makes sense. I didn’t feel bad. But I didn’t feel the same either. That’s a subjective feeling and others may feel differently.
I did not measure my heart rate or blood pressure during my “experiment”. Overall, I didn't notice any difference. Here is 5 hour energy on Amazon if you want to see what others are saying.
I started out over a year ago drinking 1 reg 5 hr energy mixed with diet peach Snapple every single day, I have never had it straight from the bottle. Then I started with 2 bottles every day, now I’m at 1 red bull 8oz and 2 bottles of extra energy 5 hrs every day. It gave me a boost for 6 months and I lost 77 pds with exercise at the beginning.
For about 8 months I have had recurrent kidney infections/ uti’s/ kidney stones…also my immune system is dead. I’m so fatigued that I hardly ever get out of bed (missed a Dr. App today and Friday because I just don’t have the strength, all while sipping my drinks.
I’m 42 years old and have a husband and we have 4 boys, now the BIG shocker is I’ve saved over 800 bottles (empty) that’s not including before I started collecting them.
If I find them on sale I buy all of them, by the way I drink it out of habit and I’m also addicted to them, I have withdrawal symptoms if I try and quit. I don’t drink coffee ever or sodas—just waiting to see when those will kill me.
It’s like I’m a addict because I hide them every where so my husband think that I’ve quit, plus I’ve hidden it from my Doctor. When I’m hospitalized I pack them in my bag…it’s just shameful. I know what I’m doing is dangerous but it’s like telling a heroin addict to stop, I just can’t stop!
Hi Latrease, thank yo for sharing your story. I know you are not alone in your addiction to caffeine. First let me congratulation you on losing 77 pounds. That is quite an achievement. I do believe – as think you know too – that you are addicted to caffeine and I really feel you need to come clean with your doctor about all of this. You do need help beating this addiction and you are too young to have no energy and want to stay in bed all the time.
Please rescheduled your doctor appointment today and tell your doctor what you just told me. Your quality of life is suffering greatly. I know your kids and husband feel the stress too.
Please disclose to your doctor what you are going through. We need to improve your quality of life for yourself and your family.
Would you let me know what happens with your doctor and how you are doing?
I want to help you if I can.
Have strategically used 5 hour energy when I do long distance driving. The two ounce serving size makes more sense than drinking coffee and having to find a bathroom every couple of hundred miles.
Usually works fine for me and helps to accomplish my goals of getting my 10-12 hour drive done with the least amount of stress. No harmful side affects that I notice. Only do this 2-3 times per year, so I’m not overly concerned about the negative side effects.
Jim, thanks. Really glad it’s been helping you and you’ve had no side effects.
It made me awake all night! I can not sleep! Never gonna try it again
hmm to each his own, you would think that being humans the majority of reactions would be similar but alas this almost never seems to b the case. For me i feel they work great no sick feeling cant really say how long it lasts or how much my energy levels have been liftedbut i definitely feel more alert and awake.
I will never take 5 hour energy shot again . I took it at 11pm and its 8am and im still up can’t go to sleep when I do actually need the sleep . Heart beating really fast .. Worst stuff ever considering the fact I drink 2-3 red bulls a day . Back to my red bull I guess
Joe,
First, thanks for the information and your personal research. Very helpful.
I am 71 years old and hiked 640 miles on the Appalachian Trail last summer/fall. At first, I didn’t use 5 hour energy drink, but about 400 miles into the trip, I tried it because there are days that one just doesn’t feel like walking over mountains and thru valleys.
On those days of being tired from the day before, I would drink one and it did give me a boost; I felt my metabolism increase, but not for 5 hours. Hiking the Trail and carrying 35-40lb pack is not easy especially at my age. It demands A LOT of energy. I would notice an energy boost for about 3 hours and that’s all.
I agree with you that it is probably the caffeine. I had no idea it had that much in it – 215 mg! Wow!
Joe too wow! 640 miles is a lot at any age! If I wore a hat, Id tip it to you!!
I’d be interested to see how 5 hour energy affects resting BP as that was not part of my test. Let us know what your results are if you decide to test that.
thanks
~ Jen
Thanks Jen, Ill definitely do that 🙂
Hi Joe & everyone,
I do not use energy drinks but several of my friends do. 2 years ago through my running club, I volunteered to participate in a University of Toledo experiment that measured the effects of 5 hour energy drink with exercise. ( I am an avid runner, HIIT participant, fitness educator & NSCA-CPT )
On the first day my resting vitals were recorded (My resting HR was 60 bpm& BP was 111/68 mmHg). I then performed 15 minutes of cardio on a treadmill my choice of intensity. I ran at 6.0 mph at a 0 incline.
After 15 minutes of exercise my post exercise vitals were measured (my post exercise HR 95 bpm, BP 128/70 mmHg.
The next day after arriving at the testing center, my resting vitals were measured again with the exact same results as day 1 (RHR 60 bpm & BP 111/68 mmHg). I was then instructed to drink two 5 hour energy drinks and wait resting for 20 minutes.
I remember feeling the same as you described Joe – just ‘not right’. After 20 minutes I ran for 15 minutes again on the treadmill, but this time I ran faster 6.5 mph and the last few minutes I kicked up the speed to 7.0 mph all the while I very easily carried on a conversation with a women on the treadmill next to me.
I felt great! Post vitals were taken and scared the crap out of me! My HR didn’t change much from the day before, 97 bpm. My post exercise 5 hour energy induced BP however skyrocketed – 185/128 mmHg.
I felt an intense pounding in my chest, my heart rate had not increased but the force of my heart contractions had significantly increased and I was worried that my vessels would rupture.
I am happy that currently my resting BP reading is 95/55 mmHg and even though I was happy with the increase in intensity after ingesting the 5 hour energy drink, the affect on my BP is just not worth it. I always recommend to my clients and students that they use caution or do not exercise with 5 hour energy drinks because of my experience with it.
Did you exercise at anytime after drinking the 5 hour energy Joe? Did you record any vitals after having drank it even if you didn’t exercise?
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer, that’s very interesting what happened! For me I did not record blood pressure. I actually took it an hour or so before I drove to a clients home. I remember driving there that the feeling of “not being right” continued for at least an hour after I drank it. It eventually wore off. I’ve since had 5 hour energy once or twice on other occasions but don’t remember having the same “not right” feeling as I did the first time. That said, I also don’t remember any bolt of energy feeling either.
Appreciate your words Jennifer!
I guess someone has to be the party pooper. I would rather be shot than to be guinea pig for some greedy company that sells something that is simply a mystery. You can analyze this product all you want but you still don’t know what a double-blind study would say about the combination of drugs used over any significant period would bring about, or what a “safe” dose might be for a day or two days or a week.
And I am also sick of the attitude that our society has way too often that there must be a pill or a shot for whatever ails us. I eat a good diet, walk 15 to 20 miles a week, lift weights five days a week and look for fights (just kidding). And I’m seventy and I avoid aspirin and every other chemical unless there is an urgent need, and we know the long term history of said chemical.
Don’t be wondering why teen age boys use steroids, etc., if adults are swigging this crap and saying in some many words, your body is just a lab and it’s ok to play around in the lab. It’s not! Good food. Exercise. That’s the ticket.
Jim S. You said it better than I did!! 🙂
Hi Joe,
I have used 5 hour energy drinks for road trips from California to Iowa and found that I too have the same reaction to it as you did. I felt more alert for the first 30 minutes but it quickly wore off and left me feeling “out of sorts”, and “not quite right”.
Keep the reviews coming whether I have the same conclusions as you or not I do appreciate have an unbiased opinion backed by some research.
Tari, thanks I appreciate that -and for the feedback too!
I took 5 hour energy extra strength and found it gave me lots of energy and really amped me to get through my day. I took it again, not the next day, but the next and did not find it as useful.
It really took my immune system down. I am a health adult female who exercises regularly and eats pretty well. I would say take it when you really need a boost, but not regularly. I was down for a day and rarely get sick. I blame taking the 5 hour energy twice in a 3 day window for killing my immune system.
Has anyone developed B6 toxicity from drinking 5 Hour Energy? I was drinking one to two per day for about two years and started getting tingling in both arms, tender feet, pain in my shoulders, dry mouth at night and fatigue.
After googling those symptoms, B6 toxicity came up. I was also getting B6 in some other supplements I was taking.
This can cause permanent damage after awhile. The only remedy is to stop taking anything with B6 for maybe up to a year.
After about two months I had a blood test and found normal B6 levels but I am still experiencing the symptoms.
Hi Tom, as you know there is a LOT of vitamin B6 in 5-hour energy. Each bottle has 2000% of what we need to stay healthy. While I dont believe I have heard of vitamin B6 toxicity from drinking 5-hour energy specifically, I have heard others talk about problems with taking too much of this vitamin. its very popular in some workout supplements too as you likely realized from your other research. What other supplements were you taking?
While I’m not a doctor, the symptoms you mentioned sound like too much vitamin B6 to me. I will soon be updating this 5 hour energy review and will be including information on vitamin B6 toxicity to help others.
Question, did you have a B6 blood test while you were having symptoms? did the blood test show elevated B6 levels? What does your doctor say about all of this?