Update 5-15-22. AdvoCare is a supplement company that markets a variety of products devoted to weight loss, wellness, and exercise performance. The supplements are said to be based on “the latest scientific knowledge” and contain “ingredients that are present in effective amounts and work synergistically for superior results.” In this review, I want to look specifically at the AdvoCare Spark Energy Drink Mix, which is said to “enhance mental energy and focus,” and provide “long lasting energy,” among other things. I’ll dissect the product by its ingredients and show you the relevant research on those ingredients and any research I can find on the Spark Energy Drink itself. Hopefully, this will help you evaluate whether this supplement is right for you or not.
What Is AdvoCare?
Advocare, also called AdvoCare LLC and AdvoCare International, is the company that markets the Spark Energy Drink. The AdvoCare company was started in 1993, according to the Better Business Bureau. According to the AdvoCare website, the company is located at 2801 Summit Avenue, Plano, TX 75074-7453.
Contact Advocare
Customer Service #: 800-542-4800
Another number is :972-665-5800
BBB Ratings
At the time this review was updated, the Better Business Bureau gave Advocare an A+ rating. See the BBB file for updates and more information. Sitejabber, another consumer site, gave Advocare 4.5 our of 5 stars, based on 2 reviews.
What Does Advocare Mean?
I contacted AdvoCare company about the meaning behind their name. They told me AdvoCare is a reference to the values of the company’s founder, Charlie Ragus, who wanted to be an “advocate who cared.” That's a pretty catchy name then.
Advocare Spark Energy Drink Research
I searched the AdvoCare website to see if there had been any published studies on the Spark Energy Drink itself showing that it increases energy or mental focus levels in humans. The website makes no reference to any such studies.
I then searched the National Library of Medicine for “AdvoCare” and found a study of Spark energy study where it was given to college football players. In this investigation, AdvoCare Spark Energy Drink was given to 20 college football players who then participated in sprint tests (they performed 6 sprints with 10 seconds of rest between sprints). During one week, the football players received the Spark drink and did the sprint test, and the next week they received a placebo and did the sprint test.
Results: the Spark Energy Drink did not result in any significant changes in these college football players.
Let’s now look at the ingredients in Spark Energy Drink. By doing this, we can shed light on the research and what the drink’s active ingredient/ingredients might be.
Spark Energy Drink Mix Ingredients
From a pdf document located on AdvoCare website, we see that the Spark Energy Drink (Mandarin Orange flavor) has the following ingredients and Nutrition Facts per serving (a serving 0.53 oz / 15 g ):
| Amount per serving | % DV | |
| Calories | 45 | |
| Total carbs | 11g | 1% |
| Vitamin A (beta carotene) | 1000 IU | 20% |
| Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) | 180 mg | 300% |
| Vitamin E (d alpha tocopheryl acetate) | 30 IU | 100% |
| Thiamine | 3 mg | 200% |
| Riboflavin | 3.4 mg | 200% |
| Niacin (niacinamide) | 60 mg | 300% |
| Vitamin B6 | 15 mg | 750% |
| Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) | 45 mcg | 750% |
| Pantothenic acid | 50 mg | 500% |
| Zinc | 3 mg | 20% |
| Copper (copper glycinate) | 200 mcg | 10% |
| Chromium (chromium citrate) | 24 mcg | 20% |
| Choline | 500 mg | N/A |
| Tyrosine | 500 mg | N/A |
| Taurine | 200 mg | N/A |
| Caffeine | 120 mg | N/A |
| Glycine | 100 mg | N/A |
| Citrus flavonoids | 50 mg | N/A |
| GABA | 50 mg | N/A |
| L Carnitine | 10 mg | N/A |
| Inositol | 10 mg | N/A |
- DV =Daily Value.
- N/A= No % DV established.
- mg = milligrams
- mcg = micrograms
- % DV is based on eating 2000 calories per day.
Since writing this review I discovered that the formula may have changed to one that is a bit lower in carbs.
Note. GABA is in the following flavors: Mandarin orange, grape and cherry. GABA is not present in Pink Lemonade or Mango Strawberry flavors.
Spark Other ingredients
Also listed include maltodextrin, citric acid, beetroot extract (for color), natural flavor, sucralose, and silicon dioxide.
This is a lot of ingredients; however, I don’t believe the vitamins and minerals provide any energy, help in focusing, or weight loss, in healthy people. I believe the AdvoCare company, for the most part, agrees with me because both the website and the pdf document for the product, indicate that the “key ingredients” in the Spark Energy Drink are:
- B-vitamin complex (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and pantothenic acid),
- taurine
- L-tyrosine
- choline
- caffeine
- GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
In other words, these 11 ingredients put the “spark” in Spark Energy Drink. Since they are said to be the most important, I will only look at the relevant research on these ingredients.
The B Complex Vitamins
Spark Energy Drink Mix contains various amounts of the B vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and pantothenic acid. The B vitamins help us turn food into energy. They also help us store energy (in the form of carbs and fat). Many energy drinks contain B vitamins (especially B6 and B12) but there just isn’t any good proof that they improve energy levels in healthy people—such as the way caffeine would.
Likewise, I’m not aware of any good proof that B vitamins help people lose weight. Vitamin B12, in particular, has a big reputation in some circles that it helps weight loss. I’ve looked into this but can’t find any evidence it does.
See the review on vitamin B12 and weight loss
Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid we make naturally. While it might play several roles in the body, taurine is also something found in many energy drinks, possibly because of research showing it might help mental performance. For example, in a study of 36 people, researchers noted Red Bull significantly improved memory, reaction time, and concentration.
While studies like this are encouraging and appear to justify the use of taurine in supplements, it is interesting to note most of the studies showing that “taurine works” actually combine it with caffeine. In addition, there is also research noting it is the caffeine in the mixture that provides the benefits—not taurine.
For example, in a review of energy drink studies from 1997-2006 titled, it was concluded that caffeine was likely the “secret sauce” in energy drinks, rather than taurine or other exotic ingredients.
This result was substantiated by another review of energy drinks. These researchers conclude caffeine—and caffeine alone—is the main active ingredient in energy drinks responsible for effects such as improved focus and physical performance.
Researchers in the UK, looking at a type of “soft drink” which contained various herbal ingredients, caffeine and sugar, concluded that caffeine, along with sugar, improved mental performance and memory.
Some people take energy drinks to boost their workouts in the gym, in other words as a “pre-workout” supplement. However, according to this small study neither the energy drink nor caffeine improved strength in college men.
Researchers in the United Kingdom performing a test tube experiment of mice muscle cells noted that taurine—by itself—did not produce any increase in power, time to exhaustion, or muscle recovery. On the other hand, the taurine plus caffeine mixture did. While this was not a human study, this investigation further points to caffeine as the main active ingredient in energy drinks.
L-tyrosine
Tyrosine is also a type of amino acid that most of us make in the body. Tyrosine also helps us make thyroid hormone (thyroxine), so it might also be found in supplements marketed for hypothyroidism.
With that in mind, I searched the National Library of Medicine for:
- Tyrosine thyroid
- Tyrosine thyroxin
to see if any studies were conducted to determine if tyrosine increased thyroid hormone production. Unfortunately, I saw no human studies on this issue.
As far as exercise is concerned, one small investigation has noted tyrosine supplementation does not help exercise performance in 7 men who cycled in hot temperatures.
The amount of tyrosine used in this study was 150 mg per kilogram. In people terms, a 180-pound person (82 kg) would have used 150 x 82 = 12,300 mg of tyrosine. This is a lot more than the 500 mg in a serving of Spark Energy Drink.
Ironically, in other study, these same researchers noted in tyrosine did help exercise in hot temperatures. Regardless of the different outcomes, the amount of tyrosine used was a lot: 150 mg per kg of body weight—far more than is in Spark Energy Drink.
See the Black Seed Oil Review – section on the thyroid – for more insights.
Choline
I’ve seen choline in many memory supplements over the years. This may be because choline helps make acetylcholine, a neutrotransmitter that helps the central and peripheral nervous systems function properly. So, I searched the National Library of Medicine for:
- Choline memory
- Choline supplementation memory
While I did see some rat studies of choline helping memory, I did not locate any studies involving choline supplements and memory in humans.
Caffeine
Pretty much every energy drink I have ever seen has contained caffeine. The reasons for this are obvious and so I won’t recount the research here, as I’m sure everybody is already aware of the stimulating effects of caffeine. If you search this site for “caffeine” you will see various studies to which I have already linked.
The Advocare Spark Energy Drink Mix contains 120 mg of caffeine per serving. This is similar to that of an 8-ounce cup of coffee.
GABA
GABA stands for Gamma-aminobutyric acid (also called γ-aminobutyric acid). GABA is classified as an inhibitory neurotransmitter because it tends to calm things down. Because of this, it was even called “liquid zanax” on a segment of the Dr. Oz show.
While that statement resonates with a lot of people looking for a natural way to relax, I think it’s more complicated than this, given some evidence suggests GABA supplements might not be able to enter the brain. In other words, GABA supplements might not work. As such, comparing GABA to Zanax is an oversimplification.
Truth be told, GABA does many things. While both choline and GABA are essential for nerve function, muscle control, and memory don't necessarily mean taking GABA or choline supplements improves these things in healthy adults.
Note: GABA is not present in all flavors of Spark. I only saw it listed in Grape, Mandarin orange and Cherry flavor. Pink Lemonade flavor did not contain GABA.
AdvoCare Advisory Board
On the science page of the AdvoCare website, there is a list of MDs and PhDs who serve on the advisory board of AdvoCare. While it’s nice that they have an advisory board, what this page does not list is any research on AdvoCare products published by any of these individuals.
Spark Energy Drink vs. 5-Hour Energy
It appears AdvoCare has less caffeine per serving than 5-Hour Energy. A serving of AdvoCare Spark Energy Drink has 120 mg, while, as I mentioned in my review of 5-hour energy, that product has 215 mg per serving. That doesn't mean 5 Hour Energy is any better or worse but I wanted to mention this for those who were curious. There are other differences also, so see my review of 5-Hour Energy for more information.
See the 5 Hour Energy With Protein review too
Spark Energy Drink and Kids
In a New York Times article on Advocare from 2005 titled, A Sports Drink for Children Is Jangling Some Nerves, there were references to Advocare marketing the Spark drink to kids and young athletes. I see no reference to kid marketing on the AdvoCare website as it appears today. I have however seen testimonials from athletes like Drew Brees and AdvoCare independent distributors—several of whom appear in physically active situations.
The subtle message to people is AdvoCare is good for a physically active lifestyle. While it’s tempting for kids to look for a competitive advantage during sports, I can tell you that there is no clinical proof -yet- Spark Energy Drink improves exercise ability—in kids or adults.
To be fair, I don't think kids should use any energy supplements either. Parents need to remember kids are not miniature versions of adults.
Spark Drink and ADHD
After I posted my review, I was alerted that I missed a study that compared Spark Energy Drink to Ritalin (methylphenidate). Online, this investigation is sometimes called the Texas Tech Spark Energy Study. The actual title is A Comparison of the Neuropsychological Effects of Methylphenidate (Ritalin) And Nutritional Beverage Versus Placebo on Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
This study took place at the Center for Family Medicine in Amario Texas and looked at how Spark Energy Drink compared to either Ritalin (methylphenidate) or placebo in 72 kids, age 6-17. The study lasted 4 months and took place in 1998.
Kids were broken up into 3 groups
- Placebo group which received caffeine
- Ritalin group
- Spark Energy Drink group
All treatments were given to the kids 2 hours prior to ADHD testing.
Researchers noted kids getting Spark Energy Drink scored as well as kids getting Ritalin in 3 out of the 4 ADHD tests that were administered.
While this is good, it's important to note this study did not say the Spark drink was better than Ritalin, but rather that kids scored as well as those getting Ritalin in 3 out of the 4 tests they used.
Looking at this from another angle, the results also mean Ritalin did as well as the Spark drink in 3 out of the 4 tests and that Ritalin was better than Spark in 1 out of the 4 tests also. Still, the results are interesting.
What's good about this study: It appears the researchers controlled for caffeine which may have had an effect. In the summary I saw, the researchers did not say the caffeine content of the placebo was the same as that in Spark drink, but I'll assume it was.
What's bad about this study: It does not appear to be published in a medical journal. In the summary of the study I have, it only says “Presented at Experimental Biology April 1999.” Studies presented at medical conferences don’t have to be peer-reviewed. I searched medical databases for the study but could not find it. Why didn’t the researchers ever attempt to get this study published?
Another downside is the researchers were not able to determine which ingredient/ingredients in the Spark drink were responsible for its effects. For example, was it taruine? Was it GABA? We can't tell from this study.
Without more research I cant say if Advocare Spark helps people with ADHD or not.
Spark Drink Side Effects
In healthy people, I think Advocare Spark is probably safe in most people. I’m not aware of any bad side effects from the Spark Energy Drink and when I googled “AdvoCare spark energy drink side effects,” I didn’t see a lot of really negative side effects. That doesn’t necessarily mean there are none, and if you have had issues, I hope you will leave a comment so you can help others.
Based on the ingredients in the product, here are a few things that I think people should be aware of. This list is not complete:
- Not intended for pregnant women or those breastfeeding
- Stop taking at least 2 weeks before surgery
- Choline might cause diarrhea and at higher doses an odd fishy body odor
- Speak to your pharmacist first if you take any medications
- Don't take it close to bedtime due to the caffeine
- Some people report feeling jittery when they first take it
- Don't use it if you are younger than 18 years of age
- Start with less at first to see how you respond to it
Currently, the upper tolerable limit ―beyond which side effects might be noticed―for choline is set at 3.5 grams per day. A serving of Spark Energy Drink has 500 mg of choline (1/2 gram). Good food sources of choline include milk and eggs. Theoretically, it’s possible that a few servings of the Spark Drink per day plus normal food intake might put people over this limit. I thought I’d mention this in case anyone noticed this strange body odor.
There is conflicting evidence that choline might—or might not—be linked to colon cancer. More research is needed. Those who take choline supplements should discuss this concern with an oncologist who likely has seen this research.
Some say caffeine can dehydrate people, due to its diuretic effects; however, newer research finds caffeine isn't dehydrating in those who are accustomed to it.
One report exists of a taurine energy drink causing a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, Interestingly, this report indicated the woman who experienced the allergic reaction only was sensitive to synthetic taurine and not natural taurine. I don’t believe supplements indicate whether taurine is natural or synthetic.
Energy drinks have also been associated with death in apparently healthy people. In this instance, a 28-year-old man consumed three cans of an 8-oz energy drink (I don’t know which brand) 5 hours prior to a basketball game. There are no reports of death in those taking Advocare Spark.
Spark Energy Drink FAQ
Buy Advocare
Advocare supplements are not sold in stores like Walmart, CVS, Target, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Costco or Sams Club. You can only get them from the Advocare website or through an Advocare Associate. Supplements may also be found on Amazon
How Much Caffeine
Each serving has 120 mg of caffeine. This is roughly the same in a cup of coffee and less than other energy drinks
Is It A Preworkout Supplement?
Some may use Spark as a pre-workout. Whether it helps people exercise better is open to speculation. On the plus side, Spark does not contain questionable ingredients found in other pre-workouts (beta-alanine, etc).
Does Spark Raise NAD Levels
NAD is an energy molecule called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Niacin helps us make NAD. Because Spark contains niacin, its possible it may raise NAD levels. But, what this means is not clear. Im not aware of any research of Advocare Spark and NAD levels.
I mention this because things which raise NAD are quite popular in the anti-aging world. For more on this, see these reviews
Can You Drink Spark During Pregnancy?
Advocare says to not drink Spark during pregnancy or while breastfeeding your baby.
Why Do They Call It Spark?
The name, Spark may refer to spark-plugs that are needed to make the engine in your car turn over. Spark makes your engine go too. That's how I interpret it anyway.
How Do You Use Spark?
It's pretty easy. Blend, shake or stir the contents of one stick pack or scoop into 16 fluid ounces of water. Drink.
Is Spark Energy Drink Safe?
Spark Energy has been around for a long time. I have not seen any clinical proof it was not safe. To make sure it's safe for you, it's wise to start with less than is recommended. This is to help you gauge how you respond to it.
The Advocare FTC Lawsuit
In 2019 the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued the AdvoCare company over its being a pyramid scheme. The result of that lawsuit was a return of almost $150 million to over 200,000 distributors who lost money on Advocare supplements.
Is Spark Energy Good For you?
Good is a relative term. It does have some vitamins which we need to stay healthy. While that's nice, I'd always point people to eating better to get those. See my smoothie recipe for an example. Some people report they feel better when they take Spark so that may be good. Overall, this is a hard question to answer for everybody.
How Does Spark Compare To Other Energy Drinks?
I have not seen studies that compare Spark to things like 5 Hour Energy, Monster Energy, Bang, or other energy drinks. The caffeine in Spark is less than in other energy drinks but other than this, it's hard to say how it stacks up against other similar products.
Advocare vs. Crystal Light
Spark has caffeine while Crystal Light does not. On the flip side, Crystal Light contains phenylalanine which should not be consumed by people with the PKU genetic disorder. There is no phenylalanine in Advocare Spark.
Does Advocare Spark Energy Drink Work?
I think the active ingredient in AdvoCare Spark Energy Drink is the same as for most energy drinks―caffeine. As such, I would not be surprised if people felt more energized after using it. The same can be said for any caffeine-containing beverage too.
Digestive Concerns
Sucralose may have a negative effect on the gastrointestinal system. According to a 2008 study published in the “Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health,” some laboratory rats that ingested large amounts of sucralose experienced a decrease in the number of helpful bacteria present in their digestive tract.
These bacteria aid in digestion and are also found in humans. However, there is no evidence to show that humans who ingest sucralose experience similar effects.
I have not had any issues with Spark. I don’t drink it all at once, I sip on it and it usually takes me about an hour to drink it. I prefer Spark to soda (regular and diet) which I used to drink a lot of. I also prefer Spark over coffee over for my mid afternoon pick-up. Please note that the newer version of Spark does not contain 45 calories per serving, Advocare changed it up. The website does not have the updated label, but Amazon does and so does my canister at home.
https://www.amazon.com/AdvoCare-Spark-Canister-Fruit-Punch/dp/B0038NEOKS
Thanks Marcia! It also looks like they removed GABA from the ingredients.
That’s interesting, since I was thinking that GABA was the ingredient that was making me feel sick to my stomach and generally VERY sick overall the few times I’ve drunk Spark™ energy drink. Not sure if it’s even the drink itself, but wanted to look it up just in case.
Hi Joe, let me know if you pick up a can and see GABA listed.
I just received a canister of Cherry Spark which has been unavailable for over a year. I believe it was due to reformulating so I compared ingredients from an old canister. GABA and citrus flavenoids are no longer listed. Hope this helps 🙂
Hi Tricia, yes it does help thanks so much for the assist 🙂
Most likely it is the sucralose that is affecting your stomach. Sucralose is really hard on the digestive system. Google side effects of sucralose. It is the key ingredient for Splenda.
I have had complicated migraines with aura since I was 8 years old. I take medicine daily to help with the frequency and intensity of the migraines. When I do yoga and eat right, my migraines are very infrequent.
The week I tried Spark, I had 3 severe migraines. This was after not having a severe migraine in 7 months. Thus, I believe, based on my experience spark is a trigger for my migraines. It may have been the sucralose that triggered them, I’m not sure. Artificial sweeteners are a trigger for my migraines.
Hi Amy, thank you for sharing and I hope your migraines feel better soon.
I too have migraines and this drink triggered a very bad one that on the fourth day of it I ended up needing iv fluids and medication to aide in making it calm down. Plus my daughter was using the product with me and she is an inactive meth user. Or was an inactive meth user.
When she ran out of the drink her craving for meth was out of control and while drinking the product it triggered her craving for meth. She wanted more so she could get the amped euphoria. So I don’t feel its a good idea for any person with addiction issues or addictive personality disorder issues or that are prone to migraines to use the product.
I tend to have people try the spark and if they have those (shaky or jittery feelings) I typically advise them to try a half a serving instead of a full serving since some people seem to have an intolerance to high amounts of caffeine or specific vitamins.
I also recommend that if they do have a caffeine intolerance, to try the V16 which is caffeine free but still has the vitamins. As far as the sucralose goes, i’m not a big fan of that ingredient and wish they might would look at stevia as an alternative (not sure if that’s much better, but we’ve been using stevia for years and haven’t had any issues.
People also need to understand that these are supplements (not full time substitutes) Of course the best way is to eat healthy and exercise daily, but some people need an extra boost, or like using a protein shake after workouts.
The fact of the matter is, Advocare is no worse than any of the other thousands of supplements out there and I feel better knowing all the ingredients instead of getting some “proprietary blend” labeled on the bottle. That’s just my take on it as a product user.
Spark changed my life from the day I started taking it! My energy levels increased, my depression lifted, my moods and overall well being were so much better.
I had to stop taking this product because I was getting migraines & experienced significant gastrointestinal problems.
I believe the sucralose to be the problem. Another product I was using, a protein powder contained sucralose too.
I had to quit them both.
I contacted Advocare regarding the Spark formula, I received no reply. The protein powder company wrote back immediately to state that they do have sucralose free products.
I was surprised to not get a reply from Advocare as that I was also a distributor to get the best price.
I hope they change to a natural sweeter soon.
I did find a b complex and a choline product with the help of my natural food store folks that is helping but I still don’t feel as good as I did in the Spark.
I would have one serving a day that replaced my coffee.
I’ve been using Spark for about 3 weeks. I have lost weight, and I have an even energy level, and with my ADD, I can actually stay somewhat focused. I HAVE noticed that my teeth are a whisker sensitive. Not sure if the extra vitamin C in this is causing it or not. Has anyone else been having any issues like this?
I looked up this information while attempting to find out what ingredient in Spark gave my husband a “foggy” feeling. He is using a weight-loss shake that is giving him the same side effects. I did see that another reviewer had the same symptom, so while it may not be common…it is a side effect and users should immediately stop using the product if they feel similar effects.
Spark is the only caffeine I consume, usually two servings a day, sometimes one. I used to drink 2-3 pots of coffee a day. My wife used to consume 2 cases of soda a week. Spark is all we need. No adverse effects
I drink as much coffee as you do. How did it go transitioning from coffee to Spark? I get migraines if I don’t have my coffee (and an prone to migraines anyway, taking a maintenance dose of medication to keep the at bay – with one or two sneaking thru per month anyway).
I’m kind of skittish about giving up my coffee. Do I HAVE to? Or will I WANT to?
Been using Spark since it came out. I just love it! It’s my coffee in the morn, and it helps me get moving and my mind ready! I think It’s better than coffee. Sounds to me someone is trying to give Advocare”Spark” a bad name. Every individual is different. I just wish didn’t have the red coloring due to do not want my teeth stained” But I do keep those clean!
sounds to me some ones been drinking the “cool aid”.
Thank you! I feel a lot better now that I am off of it haha.
Hi, This does not sound like it is the boost supplement that you are looking for. With shaking and the outer body experience – I think those are two large things yelling at you to stop. You might be allergic to something in there.
I agree that you should not have to ‘get use to this’ – I also consume spark – and I’m 5’0″, 23, and weight 129 pounds. I am very athletic. I do not get any of those feelings of shaky or weird body feeling. Good Luck to you, and I also hope you are feeling much better.
I am concern with the amount of vitamins. vitamin b6 15mg when the when the recommend
dietary allowance is 1.5mg. 2mg if you are a woman and nursing. your body can have an overdose of vitamins, that will bring consequences.
I don’t drink Spark however I wanted to reply to this comment. 2 things: the first is you take too many B vitamins, your body will usually just eliminate them (through urine). 2nd you mentioned dietary allowance. Those standards haven’t been updated for years so they are not always accurate. Just a few things to consider.
James and Joe,
I have also had the same symptoms with Spark. Stomach and abdominal pain, running to the bathroom, inability to keep anything in my stomach, and eventually feeling weak and shaky. I haven’t figured out why but it is definitely the Spark and possibly the other AdvoCare products as well.
I have tried it several times and then stopped. Every time I start again, the symptoms start immediately. Then I stop and the symptoms go away. I keep trying it because I have so many people who rave about the positive reactions their bodies have had to the products.
But my bodies reaction has been diarrhea, stomach cramping, lower back pain, lethargy, flu-like symptoms, shakiness, feeling cold, feeling weak, heartburn, acid reflex and lightheadedness. I have yet to find a reason for these symptoms.
Today I started again for one last personal test… These symptoms started 10 minutes after drinking the Spark drink at 7:15 AM. They have progressed as the day has continued and I have added the AdvoCare Meal Replacement Shake and recommended vitamins.
*Note! I am not taking Spark 4 times a day as you were… I’m only taking Spark once a day and these symptoms start immediately after consumption.
I know A LOT of people who take these products and claim that they LOVE them… This is only my experience of the products.
UnfortunateReaction, based on those symptoms, I recommend that you just not use them anymore. I hope you feel better soon.
These reaction sounds similar to the gastrointestinal problems i was having. For me it was the sucralose.
I believe that over time my body built up a significant intolerance.
Carrie,
I eat very healthy so I made sure I had chicken broccoli and rice for lunch after I had the drink.
Thanks
Hilary
Hilary, one primary question regarding your Spark experience- what had you eaten that day? Protein is a primary component of the Advocare system. Many times when you ingest vitamins that your body is not used, it gets out of whack. On the flip side, spark tends to curb the appetite, causing many to just skip a core meal or snack that is needed.
Whatever supplements you take, please be sure to eat healthy with the necessary proteins for them to work with. Also, please talk to your doctor before taking another supplements. Your friend/ coach cannot replace this valuable expertise.
Your Advocare Fanatic,
Carrie
Hi, thank you for your thorough review. It is 2 am EST and I cannot sleep even though my body is exhausted. A friend gave me Spark to try and today I tried it for the first time. At first I was fine but with a few hours my hands were shaking and I felt outside of my body. It was a weird feeling like my body was moving as if about to faint but I wasn’t in my body at all. Weird I know, but I don’t know how to explain it.
In general, my body is very sensitive to new vitamins or medicines so I did not think anything of it. I am also very small and petite (barely 5 ft) and 25 years of age in case you need a visual. My heart was pounding throughout the day almost like the feeling you get when you are excited or someone pops out of nowhere and scares you. Later at night I felt like I was about to crash. Even though I am tired I have been laying in bed for hours and cannot sleep.
I decided to look up side effects so here I am now haha. I told the friend who gave me Spark but she said it was nothing to worry about and the shaky hands wouldn’t last. I am very health conscientious and I know a lot about nutrition and human biology in general. So even though she said my body needs to get used to the supplement, I think I may just quit taking it.
Yes, I did feel a little more alert but not necessarily more focused. It was almost like being on Adderall times ten where I was extremely alert and shaky. I work in hospitals a lot with mental health patients so I know a lot about drugs/supplements and its various uses and side effects. Just was wondering if anyone had any similar side effects? Thanks
-Hilary
Hi Hilary, I disagree with the supplement rep that you need time to adjust to it. Based on what you said, I would not take it again. Being up until 2am is also not something I would want to have to endure in order to get used to a supplement. I hope you are feeling better today – and got to sleep too. If you feel no different, then go to your doctor.
I’ve been taking the spark and the weight loss supplements for over a month. This week I stopped both. I have had constant diarrhea for one whole night. Really bad. Next day fine and now its back again. I have not eaten much of anything. I used to have problems with diarrhea before and the weight loss sup. Seemed to stop it. But now that I quit taking it this is the worse I’ve ever been. Don’t know if this has anything to do with it.
Hi Bonnie, can you tell me the name of the Advocare weight loss supplement you are taking? Id like to see the ingredients. While I cant be sure if either caused your diarrhea or not, I think its best to stop taking them now until your symptoms improve. Remember diarrhea can make us very tired, quickly because of all the fluid and electrolytes we lose. Gatorade or some other electrolyte drink help you today.
Personally, I LOVE Advocare. I have been taking product at various degrees for over 11 years now. It is a lifestyle- developing healthy habits in all areas of life. The products merely help me implement what we already know are healthy decisions (exercising, not overeating, getting plenty of sleep, etc). Without the products, I still am pretty active, but I have more cravings, am more tired and don’t make the best decisions.
You can achieve your goals without Advocare, but it can be a great tool if used correctly and with the right intent (no quick results). When I do share product with my friends (no I don’t share full-time), if they want to try something else, I encourage them to do SOMETHING, ANYTHING.
Just some personal achievements with Advocare’s help- I went from a size 10 to a size 4 in about 4 months and have kept off the inches for over 3 years. Because of drinking Spark, instead of the tempting coffee, sugar & cream, I go running about 2 miles 3 days a week. My kids are able to take the multi-purpose chew vitamins to help boost their immune system and keep their systems normal (probiotics). I’m not a doctor or have any scientific background knowledge, but I do see the effects that come out of them.
I trust the Advocare products 150%.
I have been drinking Spark 2-3x a week on days where I am in class until 6:30 (1x/day). I have been noticing bad stomach pain, cramping, and bloating and have recently correlated it to these days.
At first I thought it was popcorn that I was snacking on between classes (since popcorn is rough on the GI tract anyways). So I discontinued the popcorn….Then I realized it was happening 1-2 hours after drinking Spark.
Definitely will not be continuing…I have been taking it for 3 weeks and have never had so much abdominal pain. Funny enough, the only thing that seems to get the tightness and bloating back down is my Shakeology drinks from Beachbody!
Just wanted to post my experience in case anyone else is having issues with Spark. It seemed like a great product…either the sucralose, excessive vitamins or amino acids are not sitting well with me.
Hi Allyson, when I googled your address I discovered your email on a BeachBody Coach website.
So are you a BeachBody coach? Nothing wrong with that but you didn’t mention that in your comment. Just curious.
One thing I didn’t see mentioned for review is the fact that there’s sucralose (Splenda) in it. Splenda is a chemically made sweetener, and my fitness trainer and naturopathic doctor told me that it’s not a good thing to be putting in my body.
My friends that are selling Advocare and Plexus keep trying to get me on the bandwagon, but I prefer to lose weight the natural way, and I’ve lost 10 lbs and 18″ the past year (I’m not overweight, just wanted to shape up) by using diet and exercise.
Unfortunately for my friends, they end up falling off the MLM bandwagon after a while, and gain back all the weight they lost initially. Thanks for your reviews, I’ve enjoyed reading them!
Deborah, you are very welcome!
I have been with AdvoCare for 2 years and yes I am a distributor. Recently I’ve been getting little skin rashes for no reason and my cheeks has shown signs of rosacea. (Hope I spelled that correctly). For over a year. I’ve gone to the docs and they just give me a topical ointment. Still have it, sometimes it’s flared up more then not, however I’ve just dealt with it.
My husband went and got a sleep study done and was diagnosed with insomnia. The doctor told him he was consuming too much B-12. This led me to research which led to the side effects of b-12 & the skin rashes. Normal consumption should only be 1.9-2.5 mcg daily dose correct? Spark has 45mcg.
What are your thoughts on the b-12 & rashes? I’m thinking our time with Spark has ended. I can’t ever say I had more energy and a clearer mind. I felt the same the days I didn’t take it & just drink a cup of coffee. I would only drink one maybe 2 a day. But it was yummy and got my mind off of eating something unhealthy at times.
But reading your studies makes me think back. Like the fishy odor. Sometimes I noticed while drinking spark that I could smell fish slightly and on my breath and would be like what the?
Thanks.
Elaine.
Hi Elaine, most energy drinks I see (5 hr energy etc) have lots of B 12. Its because of the “B12 gives us energy” idea whcih is a myth for most people. This link to the mayo clinc does mention rashes as a potential side effect of B12
http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/vitamin-b12/safety/hrb-20060243
Lets see if your rash goes away after you stop taking it for a few weeks. Let me know what happens.