Update 3/3/20. The NutriBullet is a very popular blender to make smoothies and other healthy snacks. Odds are you or someone you know owns one. If you have been shopping lately you may have noticed NutriBullet supplements too. In this review, you'll learn about the NutriBullet Superfood Energy Boost, a supplement you can mix up in the NutriBullet to make smoothies with. As the name implies, this supplement is touted to improve energy levels. Does it really boost your energy levels? Let's take a look at its ingredients and see if it's right for you. Also, see the review of NutriBullet Fat Burning Boost.
Superfood Energy Boost Nutrition Facts
One serving of the energy mix is 2 tablespoons. There are 30 servings in each 5.29 oz packet. This is a 1 month supply. The Superfood Energy Boost mix has these nutrition facts:
| Calories 15 | Calories from fat 0 |
| Percent Daily Value | |
| Total fat 0 g | 0 % DV |
| Saturated fat 0 g | 0 % DV |
| Trans fat 0 g | N/A |
| Cholesterol 0 g | 0% DV |
| Sodium 0 mg | 0 % DV |
| Total carbohydrate 2 g | |
| Dietary fiber 1 g | 4% DV |
| Sugars 0 g | 0% DV |
| Protein 2 g | N/A |
In the table above
- N/A = no daily value established
- % DV = percent daily value (based on eating 2000 calories per day)
The label also tells us that the SuperFood Energy boost provides O% DV of vitamin A, 2% DV for vitamin C, 1% DV for calcium and 4% DV for iron.
From the table, we can see that the SuperFood Energy mix doesn’t give us much. It’s got 1 gram of fiber which is 4% of our daily value for fiber so that’s something. But, overall, I don’t see anything that would boost our energy levels. So, if the Energy Boost powder is really going 
SuperFood Energy Boost Ingredients
The label indicates that these are the ingredients in the product
| Organic chia seed | Organic hemp powder | Organic green tea powder |
| Organic guayusa powder | Organic beet root powder | Organic maca powder |
Read the ingredients from left to right. This will tell you which is present the most and which is present the least. In other words, the SuperFood Energy Boost has the most organic chia seed and the least organic maca powder.
Let’s now look at each of these 6 ingredients in this mix and see which ones might be responsible for giving people more energy
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are a good source of omega 3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid which is different than EPA and DHA found in fish) and other healthy nutrients. That said, if the Superfood Energy Boost, lives up to its claims, I not convinced that chia seeds play a role in this. Here’s why. You’d think if chia seeds gave people more energy, then they might help us exercise better – but the research doesn't seem to show it.
In a clinical study published in 2011 titled Omega 3 Chia seed loading as a means of carbohydrate loading, 6 exercise-trained men were given either Gatorade or a 50/50 mixture of Gatorade and chia seeds. They then performed a 6-mile run that was timed.
If chia seeds improved exercise performance, the people getting the mixture of Gatorade and chia seeds should be able to finish the 6 miles run faster than those who just got Gatorade.
But, that's not what happened.
Those getting the mixture of chia seeds + Gatorade were no faster than those who only drank Gatorade.
Losing weight can help improve energy levels. Is it possible chia seeds help us lose weight? While anything is possible, according to this study, 56 overweight women were randomly given either 25 grams of chia seeds or 25 grams of poppy seeds a day for 10 weeks.
The results: Women getting the chia seeds did not lose more weight than those getting poppy seeds. It didn't make any difference. As an aside, 25 grams is much more than is in the NutriBullet Superfood Energy Boost.
Hemp Powder
Hemp seeds (like many other varieties of seeds) are a good source of many nutrients. For example, hemp seeds are a good source of omega 3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid ) as well as arginine and vitamin E and many minerals.
That said, does hemp improve energy levels in people? If it does, I can’t find any evidence for it. Several websites do discuss that hemp does this and they point out that hemp has minerals like magnesium and iron as well as carbs. Ok, these nutrients can help us make energy, but that’s not the same thing as making you feel like you have more energy to get through your day.
But what about metabolism? Can hemp raise the metabolic rate? Remember every time you eat something, your body invests energy to breakdown that food. This is called the Thermic Effect of Food. This can raise metabolism a little bit -but not much.
It's unlikely that the calories you use digesting hemp will significantly raise metabolism or cause significantly more calories to be burned. In other words, hemp wont helps us lose weight.
Green Tea Powder
Green tea contains caffeine. The label of the Superfood Energy Boosts does not tell us if it contains caffeine or not. If it does, then this might help raise energy levels as would other energy drinks that contain caffeine.
If the Superfood Energy Boost contains caffeine, I don't know how much as there is no mention of it on the product label.
Guayusa Powder
Another name for guayusa is Ilex guayusa. This is a plant that contains caffeine. In fact, according to this report, Indians in Peru and Ecuador, using guayusa, as a morning stimulant would have to vomit to reduce over-dosing on caffeine!
In this rat study from 2016, rats given either high doses of guayusa resulted in weight loss and fat loss compared to high dose caffeine use. How much guayusa did they give to these rats -150 mg per kilogram of bodyweight? How much is that?
Well, there are 2.2 pounds in a kilogram. So if you weighted 180 pounds (82 kilograms), it would be 82 X 150 = 12,300 mg. This amount is potentially lethal in humans so don't use anywhere close to this.
Remember, people have died from overdosing on caffeine. The amount of guayusa powder in the SuperBoost supplement is much less than this study used this and won't cause any problems.
If guayusa, boosts metabolism, energy levels or weight loss, it's likely because of its caffeine content.
Beet Root Powder
Beets contain nitrates, which are compounds that can relax blood vessels. That's because nitrates are converted to nitric oxide, a potent relaxer of blood vessels. As blood vessels relax, they open up, allowing more blood to flow. There are studies of beet root juice helping improve exercise performance and beets might also help lower blood pressure too.
Given how popular beets are, one might expect them to be “tops” but as this video points out, the green vegetable, arugula, contains more nitrates than beets.
See the review of SuperBeets for more information.
Maca Powder
The scientific name for maca is Lepidium meyenii. Maca is often seen as an herb that can improve both sexual desire /performance and energy levels. For example, maca was an ingredient in the male performance supplement, Triverex, previously reviewed (review).
Some fitness-people also hear that maca might raise testosterone levels to. This might be why maca was an ingredient in the testosterone booster supplement called Regimen (review). According to this study, neither 1500 mg or 3000 mg of maca raised testosterone although, after 8 weeks, men reported greater sexual desire
A 2008 study noted that 3.5 grams of maca powder helped menopause symptoms although it did not alter estrogen levels.
Studies aside, notice that maca is the last ingredient listed in the Superfood Energy Boost nutrition label above. That means it is present in the smallest amount. I am not sure how much might help energy levels. I feel more studies should be done.
Ingredients That Raise Energy Levels
I believe these are the main active ingredients in the NutriBullet SuperFood Energy Boost mix:
- Green tea
- Guayusa
I believe this because both of these ingredients have caffeine.
How Much Does It Cost?
About $20. You can find it locally in stores and online.
Is It Organic?
Yes, all the ingredients in the SuperFood Energy Boost come from Organic ingredients. The product is certified organic by the CCOF – California Certified Organic Farmers.
What About Nut Allergies?
There is a disclaimer on the package that says that the Superfood Energy Boost is made in a facility that processes other products that may contain nuts. To be safe, people with nut allergies should avoid this product.
SuperFood Energy Boost Side Effects
The supplement is probably safe for most people. A few things to consider are as follows. This list is not complete:
- Start with less for the first week to see how you respond
- Stop taking at least 2 weeks before surgery
- if you take medications to talk to your doctor first
- If you have heart problems, talk to your doctor
- The caffeine may keep you awake if you take it close to bedtime
- Talk to your doctor if your pregnant or breastfeeding
Does The Superfood Energy Boost?
Two of the ingredients in NutriBullet Superfood Energy Boost caffeine. If it boosts energy, that's likely why.
Here it is if you want to check it out