ACT Energy Ingredients

As of October, 2010, there is a new ACT Energy formula flavored with New Zealand black currants. Both the old formula and the new are delicious, however I think the new one will be more widely accepted by the broader market.

The ingredients are pretty simple, really:

Most of the energy boost comes from Guarana, which is a natural blend of alkaloids found in the seed of a South American vine. There is guaranine, (similar to caffeine), but also theophylline, and theobromine, an alkaloid also found in chocolate thought to provide that "feel-good" buzz chocolate is famous for. Guarana has been used in soft drinks and traditionally for many years as a stimulant in South American countries.

Guarana has the advantage over caffeine anhydrous in that it enters the bloodstream more slowly and provides a mellower, longer lasting sense of alertness and energy. It seems to provide some of the feeling of "being in love" that chocolate offers, but without the calories -- Euphoria.

There is some Green Tea in the formula for alertness and its polyphenols which have well-documented health value.

Panax Ginseng is an herb that has been prized in the Orient for centuries. It is used in A.C.T. Energy.

WebMD.com has this to say about Panax Ginseng: "Panax ginseng is used for improving thinking, concentration, memory and work efficiency, physical stamina, and athletic endurance.

Some people use Panax ginseng to help them cope with stress and as a general tonic for improving well-being. They sometimes call Panax ginseng an “adaptogen” when it’s used in this way."

Stevia extract is a popular non-nutritive sweetener. It is much sweeter than sugar, but contains no calories.

Other of the key A.C.T. energy drink ingredients in the original formula are juice extracts for flavoring (cherry, pineapple, mango, and orange). The new formula uses Black currant, dry Mandarin, Orange, and Raspberry juices.

Fibersol-2 is a dietary fiber added to the blend. I believe this is to slow the absorption into the bloodstream and also add somewhat to the sweetness of the drink.

Here is what the Japanese food regulatory agency has to say about the approved uses/benefits of Fibersol-2:

"Fibersol®-2 (Indigestible Dextrin) is formulated in 247 products as the effective key ingredient for thefollowing efficacies.1. Improves intestinal regularity2. Moderates postprandial blood glucose levelsFibersol" (postprandial means after-meal)

Taurine is one of the A.C.T. ingredients -- and an ingredient in almost all energy drinks -- that scares those who are unfamiliar with energy drinks for some reason. Rumors are flying around the Internet that Taurine is made from bull's semen or urine, for instance. This is not true. It is a synthesized form of a common naturally-occurring amino acid that our body uses.

Wikipedia has this to say about Taurine: Taurine crosses the blood-brain barrier[14][15][16] and has been implicated in a wide array of physiological phenomena including inhibitory neurotransmission,[17]... adipose(fat) tissue regulation and possible prevention of obesity,[20][21]... protection against glutamate excitotoxicity[24] and prevention of epileptic seizures.[25] It also acts as an antioxidant and protects against toxicity of various substances (such as lead and cadmium).[26][27][28][29] Additionally, supplementation with taurine has been shown to prevent oxidative stress induced by exercise.[30] In a 2008 study, taurine has been shown to reduce the secretion of apolipoprotein B100 and lipids in HepG2 cells.[31] High concentrations of serum lipids and apolipoprotein B100 (essential structural component of VLDL and LDL) are major risk factors of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Hence, it is possible that taurine supplementation is beneficial for the prevention of these diseases. In a 2003 study, Zhang et al. have demonstrated the hypocholesterolemic (blood cholesterol-lowering) effect of dietary taurine in young overweight adults. Furthermore, they reported that body weight also decreased significantly in the taurine supplemented group.[32] These findings are consistent with animal studies.[33] Taurine has also been shown to help people with congestive heart failure by increasing the force and effectiveness of heart-muscle contractions.[34]

"According to animal studies, taurine produces anxiolytic [anxiety reducing] effect and may act as a modulator or anti-anxiety agent in the central nervous system.[37][38][39]

"Taurine is necessary for normal skeletal muscle functioning.

"Studies have shown that taurine can influence (and possibly reverse) defects in nerve blood flow, motor nerve conduction velocity, and nerve sensory thresholds in experimental diabetic neuropathic rats.[41][42] In another study on diabetic rats, taurine significantly decreased weight and decreased blood sugar in these animal models.[43] Likewise, a 2008 study demonstrated that taurine administration to diabetic rabbits resulted in 30% decrease in serum glucose levels.[44] According to the single study on human subjects, daily administration of 1.5g taurine had no significant effect on insulin secretion or insulin sensitivity.[45] ... Taurine acts as a glycation inhibitor. Studies have shown that taurine treated diabetic rats had a decrease in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and AGEs content.[48][49]

"Taurine occurs naturally in food, especially in seafood and meat. The mean daily intake from omnivore diets was determined to be around 58 mg (range from 9 to 372 mg) and to be low or negligible from a strict vegan diet. In another study, taurine intake was estimated to be generally less than 200 mg/day, even in individuals eating a high-meat diet. According to another study, taurine consumption was estimated to vary between 40 to 400 mg/day. [50]"

If you will notice, this is all good stuff. People mistakenly think that taurine is connected to energy production because it is so prominent in energy drinks, but I believe they are missing the real point. From what I see here, taurine is put in energy drinks to clean up the oxidative stress that is naturally caused when energy is generated in the cells. This is a good thing.

Taurine also acts as an antioxidant, which protects the body's tissues. Dr. Russell Blaylock, a retired neurosurgeon, recommends taking taurine supplements to counteract the excitotoxins that are nearly impossible to avoid in modern food supplies.

Another important, but probably misunderstood A.C.T. energy drink ingredient is L-Arginine. I recently read the results of a study in NaturalNews.com which claimed that L-Arginine increased athletic performance by 20%. This could be useful in sports or on the dance floor.

Tyrosine is an amino acid that is a precursor to neurotransmitters, and increases plasma neurotransmitter levels (particularly of dopamine and norepinephrine).

Wikipedia goes on to say, "A number of studies have found tyrosine to be useful during conditions of stress, cold, fatigue,[12] loss of a loved one such as in death or divorce, prolonged work and sleep deprivation,[13][14] with reductions in stress hormone levels,[15] reductions in stress-induced weight loss seen in animal trials,[12] improvements in cognitive and physical performance[10][16][17] seen in human trials."

Are you following all this? What I get from this is a "combination of ingredients formula" that is designed to smooth out the rough edges of a caffeine buzz, providing the necessary amino acid building blocks and herbal endocrine modulators so our body can counter the unpleasant effects we might feel otherwise.

The final active ingredient of the original formula ACT energy drink is the Peruvian herb Maca, prized by the Incas.

I have seen Maca suggested as a substitute for coffee, but it is mainly famous for its ability to increase libido.

Wikipedia has this to say about it: "Maca is rich in essential minerals, especially selenium, calcium, magnesium, and iron, and includes fatty acids including linolenic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acids, and 19 amino acids, as well as polysaccharides.[11] Maca's reported beneficial effects for sexual function could be due to its high concentration of proteins and vital nutrients,[8] though maca contains a chemical called p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate, which reputedly has aphrodisiac properties.[1]"

I'm not sure why Maca was removed from the new ACT energy ingredients formula. I believe I could feel a slight psychological effect from the Maca in the original formula, though the amount was tiny. If anyone wants Maca, they can find it at many natural food stores, both in loose powder form and in capsules.

The major difference in the new ACT energy ingredients formula is that it contains 40 calories compared to the original's 20 in the pouches and 24 calories in the 12-oz. cans. This comes from 7 grams of sugars in the new formula (which is partially from the fruit extracts mentioned above and partially from crystalline fructose), plus one gram of maltodextrin.

There is some citric acid, which together with the maltodextrin, are considered mild excitotoxins. Any ill effects are effectively neutralized by the antioxidant values of 100% of the daily requirement of Vitamin C, B-3, B-6, and B-12, plus the protective effect of the Taurine. (I am very sensitive to Aspartame and all forms of MSG, which are much more powerful excitotoxins: I feel no effect from the citric acid and maltodextrin used here mainly for smoothing the flavor and "mouth-feel" of both new and old formulas.)

[More to come. This page is under construction]

Original formula ACT Energy Drink Ingredients

ACT Energy Ingredients Compared to Others