5-hour Energy is a flavored energy shot

Energy shot

Energy shots are a specialized kind of energy drink. Whereas most energy drinks are generally sold in cans or bottles, energy shots are usually sold in 50ml bottles. Energy shots normally contain nearly the same total amount of caffeine, vitamins or other functional ingredients as their larger...

 made in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, based in Farmington Hills, Michigan

Michigan

Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....

. It is sold in 2-oz (59 mL) containers. The makers of the drink claim that it will provide hours of energy and, unlike other energy drinks, will not cause a sugar crash

Sugar crash

A sugar crash or glucose crash is the term used in American popular culture to refer to a supposed sense of fatigue after consuming a large quantity of carbohydrates, also known as reactive hypoglycemia...

 later. After its introduction in 2004 it sparked a wave of "energy shot" drinks, and it is the number one selling product in the energy shot category in the US.

Active Ingredients

Contents	Amount	% Daily Value
Vitamin B3 Niacin "Niacin" redirects here. For the neo-fusion band, see Niacin .Niacin is an organic compound with the formula and, depending on the definition used, one of the forty to eighty essential human nutrients.Niacin is one of five vitamins associated with a pandemic deficiency disease: niacin deficiency...  (as Niacinamide)*	30 mg	150%
Vitamin B6 Vitamin B6 Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin and is part of the vitamin B complex group. Several forms of the vitamin are known, but pyridoxal phosphate is the active form and is a cofactor in many reactions of amino acid metabolism, including transamination, deamination, and decarboxylation...  (as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride)	40 mg 0 mg (Decaf 5 hour energy)	2000% 0%
Folic acid Folic acid Folic acid and folate , as well as pteroyl-L-glutamic acid, pteroyl-L-glutamate, and pteroylmonoglutamic acid are forms of the water-soluble vitamin B9...  (vitamin B9)	400 µg	100%
Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12, vitamin B12 or vitamin B-12, also called cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin with a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the formation of blood. It is one of the eight B vitamins...  (as Cyanocobalamin)	500 µg	8333%
"Energy Blend" (see below)	1870 mg	Daily value not established

Energy Blend

The ingredients of the energy blend are, in order of listing, taurine, Glucuronolactone

Glucuronolactone

Glucuronolactone is a naturally occurring chemical that is an important structural component of nearly all connective tissues. Glucuronolactone is also found in many plant gums.- Physical and chemical properties :...

, malic acid

Malic acid

Malic acid is an organic compound with the formula HO2CCH2CHOHCO2H. It is a dicarboxylic acid which is made by all living organisms, contributes to the pleasantly sour taste of fruits, and is used as a food additive. Malic acid has two stereoisomeric forms , though only the L-isomer exists...

, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine

Tyrosine

Tyrosine or 4-hydroxyphenylalanine, is one of the 22 amino acids that are used by cells to synthesize proteins. Its codons are UAC and UAU. It is a non-essential amino acid with a polar side group...

, L-Phenylalanine

Phenylalanine

Phenylalanine is an α-amino acid with the formula C6H5CH2CHCOOH. This essential amino acid is classified as nonpolar because of the hydrophobic nature of the benzyl side chain. L-Phenylalanine is an electrically neutral amino acid, one of the twenty common amino acids used to biochemically form...

, caffeine

Caffeine

Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a stimulant drug. Caffeine is found in varying quantities in the seeds, leaves, and fruit of some plants, where it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding on the plants...

, and Citicoline

Citicoline

Citicoline , also known as cytidine diphosphate-choline & cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine is a psychostimulant/nootropic. It is an intermediate in the generation of phosphatidylcholine from choline...

. The maker claims the drink "contains caffeine comparable to a cup of the leading premium coffee." If the caffeine content is assumed to be 100 mg, and the blend uses the industry standard 1000 mg of taurine, then glucoronolactone, malic acid, n-acetyl L-tyrosine, and L-phenylalanine account for an average of 170 mg each. Given ingredient order, Citicoline is at most 100 mg.

The alleged benefits of having high levels of B-group vitamins have been questioned by consumers. Newer advertisements for the energy shot have issued a disclaimer stating essentially that individual results may vary. This has emerged after some of the consumers have reported severe fatigue and increased drowsiness.

Variations

Flavor	Decaf	Extra Strength
Berry (Original)	Yes - This is the most commonly available.	Yes
Lemon/Lime	No	No
Orange	No	Yes
Citrus	Yes	No
Grape	No	Yes
Pomegranate	No	No

Lawsuit

A deceased customer's family are suing Living Essentials, the manufacturer of 5-hour Energy, alleging that repeated consumption of the drink for a period of one month caused a heart attack, that the product was deceptively labelled with regard to health hazards, and that, absent the deception, the decedent would not have consumed the product.

External links

• 5-hour Energy homepage