Since its launch, Prime drinks have quickly become popular due to the brand's extensive social media campaign, offering a few options like Prime Hydration and Prime Energy. One of the brand's offerings, Prime Energy combines caffeine and other stimulants to enhance energy and stimulate performance.
Whether you are an athlete searching for an additional energy boost before a workout, a student searching for additional focus before the exams, or just drinking energy drinks recreationally, it is good to understand potential health effects and risks to decide if Prime is bad for you.
What is the Prime Energy drink?
Prime Energy is an energy drink created by the company Prime Hydration, LLC. The brand was launched in January 2022 by Logan Paul, an American YouTuber and wrestler, and Olajide Olayinka Williams "JJ" Olatunji (aka KSL), an English social media influencer and professional boxer.
Prime Energy is one of the beverages offered by the company, which provides sports drinks, drink mixes, and energy drinks. Due to social media and marketing, the products have gained considerable popularity as beverages to boost energy and support performance.
Prime Energy drink nutrition table
Is Prime Energy bad for you?
If you aim to consume Prime Energy, it is good to understand the potential effects of this sports drink on your health. Below, we discuss how caffeine and other ingredients of this popular drink might affect your health.
Caffeine content
According to the FDA, the maximum daily caffeine content that can be consumed by an adult is 400 mg. According to the review published in Beverages, the adverse effects associated with excessive caffeine consumption include reduced sleep duration and difficulties in falling asleep.
The same review highlights that chronic exposure to caffeine might lead to dysregulation of the digestive, liver, and renal systems. Excessive caffeine consumption and the lack of hydration might result in increased intake of oxalates, the compounds that together with calcium might lead to the formation of kidney stones. However, the amounts of oxalates in coffee are comparatively low, and other oxalate sources are more significant contributors to kidney stone formation. Caffeine intake might also lead to increased heart rate and arrhythmias.
PFAs
PFAs are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as ‘forever chemicals.’ According to the United
States Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to certain levels of PFAs might lead to an increased risk of prostate or kidney cancer, decreased fertility, or a reduced ability to fight infections.
Artificial ingredients
Prime Energy drink contains several artificial ingredients such as sucralose and acesulfame potassium (sweeteners), potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate (preservatives), and artificial flavors.
Consuming sweeteners for an extended period of time might result in changes in gut microbiota, which might lead to certain digestive issues such as bloating, gas, or diarrhea. According to the review in Advances in Nutrition, some studies conducted in Europe and the U.S. have suggested that the high consumption of sweeteners might be related to a higher risk of hypertension or vascular heart diseases.
Some studies with animals have shown that potassium sorbate might lead to changes in gut microbiota and cause inflammatory reactions in the liver. The results were reversible after stopping the intake, and it is not yet well understood whether these findings are applicable to humans.
Are there any benefits of Prime drinks?
The benefits of Prime drinks — and other energy drinks for that matter — should be discussed with caution as they are not part of a healthy and balanced diet. These drinks should be taken sporadically rather than as part of a diet routine. There is no clinical data about the positive effects of Prime drinks. The potential benefits are associated with the particular ingredients present in the beverage:
- Immediate energy boost and enhanced cognitive function due to the presence of caffeine
- Enhanced physical performance with taurine and caffeine
Prime drink lawsuit: should you be worried?
There are currently at least three consumer class action lawsuits in the United States against Prime Hydration, LLC.
The lawsuit filed in the Northern District of California asserted that the independent laboratory testing found high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) in the grape flavor of Prime Energy drink.
The lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York alleged that Prime Hydration allegedly understates the caffeine content in their products. While Prime Energy is labeled with 200 mg of caffeine, the independent lab testing suggested that the content might be potentially higher (215–225 mg).
The lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Kentucky argued unethical marketing practices. While the product is marked for individuals over 18, the marketing of Prime Energy targets young customers without informing them about the health risks associated with the consumption of energy drinks.
The lawsuits are ongoing, and the outcomes have yet to be determined.
Prime Hydration vs. Prime Energy: what's the difference?
If you're wondering which beverage suits your needs better, here we have compared the contents of Primer Hydration drink and Prime Energy drink to help you decide.
| Prime Hydration | Prime Energy | |
| Intended purpose | To provide hydration, electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals | To boost energy, enhance focus, and ameliorate performance |
| When to consume | Might be suitable as a post-workout beverage providing recovery and electrolytes or in situations when your body needs extra hydration | Might be suitable as a pre-workout beverage, providing energy or in situations when focus is required |
| Calorie content and main ingredients | 20 calories per serving; potassium, magnesium, BCAAs, vitamins A, E, B6, and B12, no caffeine | 10 calories per serving; caffeine, taurine, L-theanine, glucuronolactone, inositol, vitamins B6 and B12, potassium, magnesium, sodium |
Healthier alternatives to Prime Energy
If you are searching for healthier options than Prime Energy drinks, you might consider these alternatives:
- Sparkling water. Provides hydration, free of calories, suitable for individuals with caffeine sensitivity.
- Matcha. Provides caffeine and L-theanine, which can give a less jittery energy boost than caffeine or other stimulants alone. It is also rich in antioxidants.
- Yerba mate. A natural source of caffeine. It is also rich in antioxidants, vitamins (A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12), and minerals (calcium, manganese, iron, selenium).
Tips for safe consumption of Prime Energy
If you want to consume Prime Energy drinks safely, you might follow these recommendations:
- Aim to limit the intake. Do not exceed the daily recommendation (maximum one serving). Treat it as an additional boost from time to time, not as a regular, everyday habit.
- Control your caffeine intake. As Prime Energy drink contains high concentrations of caffeine, you should monitor other sources of caffeine (e.g., coffee, tea) to ensure you do not exceed the daily recommended dosages (400 mg per day for an adult).
- Stay hydrated. Since caffeine affects the body’s metabolism, remember to consume plenty of water.
- Avoid consuming late in the day. Consuming a high content of caffeine might interfere with the quality of sleep.
- Consult a healthcare provider. Prime Energy drinks might not be suitable for individuals with cardiovascular diseases, digestive issues, or anxiety. Therefore, it is better to discuss the consumption of Prime Energy drinks with a professional.
Final word
Thanks to caffeine content and other stimulants, energy drinks like Prime Energy can provide a quick energy boost, support cognitive functions, and enhance overall performance. However, these beverages also contain artificial sweeteners or PFAs, which might lead to potential health issues and are not recommended for daily usage.
Understanding the benefits and risks of energy drinks is important to make informed decisions about their consumption. It is good to consult with a healthcare provider if Prime Energy is right for you, especially if you have a pre-existing health condition or are taking medication. Energy drinks should not substitute a healthy and nutrient-rich diet.
FAQ
Is Prime Energy suitable for kids to drink?
No. Prime Energy, like most energy drinks, is not suitable for kids under the age of 18. The drink contains high concentrations of caffeine and other stimulants, which pose a risk to children.
How much caffeine does Prime Energy drink contain?
Prime Energy drinks contain 200 mg of caffeine per serving (355 ml). This is 2–3 times more caffeine than what is provided in a cup of coffee.
Can I drink a Prime Energy drink while on medication?
Primer Energy might not be safe for individuals taking medication. Caffeine and other stimulants might interact with drugs targeting particular conditions (e.g., cardiovascular or digestive diseases). It is always good to consult a healthcare professional to ensure safe consumption.
Can Prime cause long-term health issues?
There is no data available about potential long-term health issues associated with the consumption of Prime drinks. However, it is known that high caffeine intake and consumption of artificial sweeteners or other additives might have negative implications on health. Therefore, energy drinks should be consumed in moderation.
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Prime Energy drink is a beverage created by social media influencers Logan Paul and KSI, aimed at stimulating energy and enhancing performance.
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Prime contains 200 mg of caffeine per serving. Some of the other main ingredients include electrolytes, taurine, L-theanine, glucuronolactone, inositol, and vitamins B6 and B12.
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Prime, like other energy drinks, should be consumed in moderation by adults. It is not suitable for children or pregnant/breastfeeding individuals.
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Prime Hydration is another beverage from the same brand, but unlike Prime Energy, it does not contain caffeine. It aims to hydrate and provide electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals.
8 resources
- Beverages. Caffeine consumption through coffee: content in the beverage metabolism, health benefits and risks.
- FDA. Spilling the beans: how much caffeine is too much?
- EPA. Our current understanding of the human health and environmental risks of PFAS.
- Nutrients. Potential effects of sucralose and saccharin on gut microbiota: a review.
- Advances in Nutrition. Sucralose and cardiometabolic health: current understanding from receptors to clinical investigators.
- Food and Chemical Toxicology. Effects of potassium sorbate on systemic inflammation and gut microbiota in normal mice: a comparison of continuous intake and washout period.
- Molecules. Health benefits and chemical composition of matcha green tea: a review.
- Plant Food for Human Nutrition. Phenolic compounds present in yerba mate potentially increase human health: a critical review.
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