It seems like everyone is on a search for that elusive energy. Whether you need it to power through your next workout or just to get through a day full of Zoom calls, sustained energy is the key. Caffeine has become a popular choice, both as a morning wake-me-up and as a pre-workout. And while it's effective for boosting energy and endurance, it often comes with unwanted side effects like anxiety, jitteriness, and a subsequent energy crash.
Plenty of energy supplements have popped up as a replacement for your morning coffee or dedicated pre-workout, but most of those fall short in ingredient quality. Nuun Energy is different—not only does it have a clean ingredient list, but the caffeine also comes from organic green tea so it can boost energy levels without the jitters that can accompany other caffeine sources.
In this Nuun Energy review, we'll highlight the benefits of Nuun Energy and go through exactly how each energy-producing ingredient works. We'll also look at the other Nuun ingredients so you can see how it's different from sugar-laden energy drinks.
We always recommend consulting with your doctor before ingesting a new vitamin or supplement.
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What Is Nuun Energy?
SPECS
- Price: $
- Flavor options: 2
- Artificial sweeteners: None
- Serving size: 10 servings per tube
- Calories per serving: 15
- Protein per serving: 0g
- Carbs per serving: 4g (2g of sugar)
- Fats per serving: 0g
On a basic level, Nuun is a hydration company that prioritizes using high-quality ingredients. Everything is non-GMO, certified gluten-free, and certified vegan. Nuun Energy is also certified kosher and tested for banned substances by a third-party. All of the company's products contain electrolytes to help you stay hydrated in different situations, from everyday tasks to highly demanding workouts.
The Nuun Energy formula starts with electrolytes, specifically calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, and potassium, many of which are from Himalayan pink salt. But it also contains additional ingredients that help provide sustained energy: caffeine from organic green tea, Panax ginseng, and a B vitamin blend (most notably vitamin B12 and vitamin B6). There's also a small amount of carbohydrates; each tablet provides four grams, two grams of which come from sugar. For comparison, some energy drinks have 27 grams of sugar per eight-ounce can.
Nuun Energy comes in dissolvable tablets that are stacked in an easy-to-transport tube. When you need a boost of energy or hydration, you drop one of the tablets in 16 ounces of water, wait a few minutes for it to dissolve, and then drink it. There are four flavors—Berry Blast, Ginger Lime Zing, Tropical Punch, and Watermelon Burst—and each tube has 10 tablets.
Benefits of Nuun Energy
There are two major benefits of Nuun Energy: the tablets provide sustained energy without crashes and they help keep you hydrated, which also contributes to better energy levels.
Sustained Energy
The sustained energy from Nuun Energy comes from three main ingredients: 20 milligrams of Panax ginseng, 80 milligrams of caffeine, and B vitamins. Panax ginseng, also called Korean or Asian ginseng, is an herbal remedy that can help fight fatigue, harnessing your natural energy. It's also adaptogenic, meaning it can help your body deal with stress and anxiety more positively. This can also indirectly improve energy levels.
Caffeine is a well-known stimulant that can increase mental alertness and physical energy within five to 30 minutes of consumption. When taken in small doses, caffeine can slightly boost endurance during your workouts, but it can make you feel jittery and anxious if you overdo it.
The caffeine in Nuun Energy comes from organic green tea, which also contains L-theanine, a water-soluble amino acid. L-theanine elevates dopamine, serotonin, and GABA in the brain and diminishes the action of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that can make you feel jittery. Studies show that L-theanine can reduce stress and anxiety without making you feel drowsy. In other words, you stay mentally sharp but without the jitters. When taken together, caffeine and L-theanine can also improve performance in cognitive tasks, like information processing and switching attention to different tasks.
B vitamins aren't a direct source of energy but they're absolutely essential to your body's ability to create energy. The B vitamins act as coenzymes in catabolic metabolism and help generate energy within your cells. A deficiency in any of the B vitamins will hinder your body's ability to make energy.
Nuun Energy contains two B vitamins: vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and vitamin B12. While all B vitamins are important for energy, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 are especially vital for delivering oxygen to your cells, including your muscles during a workout. Oxygen provides energy via cellular respiration, or the conversion of food into ATP, which is an important source of energy.
Everyday Hydration
While all Nuun products contain electrolytes, Nuun categorizes its Energy line as a “level 1 hydration product.” This means that it has just enough electrolytes to keep you hydrated during everyday tasks, like working or doing chores around the house. For reference, level 2 products are designed for use during sweat-inducing workouts and activities and level 3 products are made for intense rehydration.
Nuun Energy Ingredients
- Dextrose
- Citric Acid
- Potassium Bicarbonate
- Organic Tapioca Syrup Solids
- Sodium Carbonate
- Natural Flavors
- Organic Green Tea Extract (98% Caffeine)
- Himalayan Sea Salt
- Malic Acid
- Beet Powder Color
- Calcium Carbonate
- Stevia Leaf Extract
- Magnesium Oxide
- Avocado Oil
- Organic Ginseng Extract
- Pantothenic Acid (as Calcium Pantothenate)
- Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate)
- Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin)
FAQs About Nuun Energy
Does Nuun give you energy?
Yes, Nuun gives you energy, thanks to the organic green tea extract, Panax ginseng, and a combination of B vitamins. If you're dehydrated and/or have an electrolyte imbalance, replenishing your electrolytes can also increase your energy levels.
Do Nuun tablets actually work?
Yes, Nuun tablets work. In fact, there was a study published in Nutrients in 2020 comparing hydration levels after drinking Nuun versus plain water. Researchers found that Nuun improved fluid balance to a greater degree than water alone.
There's anecdotal evidence, as well. Many Nuun customers swear by the tablets, saying they provide sustained energy without any crashes. People are pleasantly surprised by the taste of all the flavors too, saying Nuun tablets are much more delicious than other energy or hydration drinks.
Is drinking Nuun good for you?
Nuun has beneficial ingredients, like electrolytes, B vitamins, and adaptogenic herbs, that can make it a healthy part of your routine. And because it's lower in sugar, it's a better option than many other energy drinks.
Can you drink Nuun everyday?
Yes, you can drink Nuun every day, but you want to be mindful of your intake. Most people take one to three tablets daily, and Nuun recommends not exceeding three tablets on any given day.
Does Nuun make you jittery?
Nuun does contain some caffeine—80 mg, about the amount you'd get from 6.5 ounces of brewed coffee. It's possible that this amount of caffeine alone can make you feel jittery if you're very sensitive, but Nuun is formulated to prevent the jitters, thanks to the L-theanine from the green tea extract.
Our Rating Scale
Price (scale of $-$$$):
Prices depend on a number of factors, and tend to fluctuate over time, so we've kept our affordability rating scale simple so you can easily see how products compare:
$ = under $1 per serving
$$ = $1-2 per serving
$$$ = over $2 per serving
Flavor Options (rating scale of 1-3):
When it comes to dietary supplements that you take frequently, or even daily, options are important. And while your energy supplement doesn't have to taste good to be effective, having several flavors to choose from can make it easier to stick with your fitness and health goals.
N/A = Unflavored
1 = 1-2 flavor options
2 = 3-4 flavor options
3 = 5 or more flavor options
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.