If you’re trying to find a high-quality energy drink to give you a power boost on those especially busy days, chances are you’ve come across Zipfizz. This popular energy drink is low-calorie, low carb, and sugar-free — sounds like a dream come true, right?
Some swear by it, and some say it’s too good to be true. Today’s article is all about getting to the bottom of the question “is Zipfizz healthy?” to help you understand what you’re putting your body through with this beverage.
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Summary: Is Zipfizz Healthy?
Zipfizz can be healthy as long as you practice moderation when consuming it. It has low calories, low carbs, and zero sugar, so it’s generally a healthier option than most energy drinks on the market.
However, too much Zipfizz can cause health issues such as dental erosion, gastrointestinal problems, and dizziness due to high levels of citric acid and vitamin B12. As a caffeinated beverage, it can also trigger heart problems in vulnerable individuals.
What Is Zipfizz?
Zipfizz is a powdered energy drink that you can easily prepare by mixing it with water and shaking it for a bit.
Zipfizz is marketed as a “healthy” energy drink because it contains no sugar and is packed with vitamins, amino acids, and minerals. It comes as a single-shot tube and is available in several flavors.
What Does Zipfizz Contain?
First, let’s take a look at a detailed list of Zipfizz ingredients and their amounts:
- Calories — 20
- Carbohydrates — 2 grams
- Vitamin A — 2,150 IU
- Vitamin E — 15 IU
- Vitamin C — 500 milligrams
- Riboflavin — 0.85 milligrams
- Thiamine — 0.75 milligrams
- Folate — 200 micrograms
- Pantothenic Acid — 5 milligrams
- Niacinamide — 10 milligrams
- Cobalamin — 2,500 micrograms
- Pyridoxine — 1 milligram
- Calcium — 60 milligrams
- Copper — 0.25 milligrams
- Chromium — 60 micrograms
- Magnesium — 100 milligrams
- Selenium — 35 micrograms
- Sodium — 75 milligrams
- Manganese — 1 milligram
- Potassium — 950 milligrams
- Zinc — 7.5 milligrams
- Botanical Antioxidant Blend — 205 milligrams
Now, let’s highlight some of the main ingredients in Zipfizz:
Caffeine
Per serving, Zipfizz contains 100 milligrams of caffeine. The recommended daily limit -as set by the FDA- is 400 milligrams.
As such, we can’t say that Zipfizz is packed with too much caffeine. Not only is it below the daily limit, but it has as much caffeine as an average cup of coffee.
So if you normally drink coffee, the energy boost you can experience from Zipfizz shouldn’t feel any different. We like to think of Zipfizz as a bubbly, fruity alternative to coffee.
Vitamin B12
Zipfizz contains 2,500 micrograms of vitamin B12 (cobalamin). This is 25 percent more than the highest recommended dose used to treat people with vitamin B12 deficiency, which is 2,000 micrograms.
Is it safe to consume such a large dose of vitamin B12? Well, it depends on how frequently you drink Zipfizz.
You see, vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. This means that any extra amount that the body doesn’t use in its daily functions is passed out in urine without being absorbed.
The low toxicity of vitamin B12 is the main reason why it doesn’t have an established tolerable upper intake level (UL). However, this doesn’t mean that it’s okay to consume so much vitamin B12 like in Zipfizz every day.
Excessive doses of vitamin B12 have been linked to the following health issues:
- A more rapid reduction in kidney functions in people suffering from diabetic nephropathy.
- Outbreaks of acne. We all know how frustrating and time-consuming treating acne can be.
- Outbreaks of rosacea. This is a skin condition that causes flushing or blushing of the face along with visible blood vessels. Sometimes, the redness is accompanied by small bumps filled with pus.
- A higher risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- A higher risk of autism spectrum disorder in the unborn baby if consumed during pregnancy.
Does Zipfizz Have Side Effects?
Dental issues
Another potential health problem you could be facing when you drink Zipfizz too frequently is dental erosion. This is when the enamel of the teeth wears away when a chemical loss of the mineralized tooth material occurs.
Dental erosion, according to the ADA (American Dental Association), happens when the teeth are repeatedly exposed to acids that aren’t derived from normal oral bacteria. As such, dental erosion is a possible side effect of drinking Zipfizz as it contains citric acid.
Citric acid is added to give the energy drink a fruity taste. Unfortunately, frequent exposure to this acid via constant drinking of Zipfizz can wear away the enamel of your teeth permanently.
Consequently, it’s best if you limit your consumption of Zipfizz. If you do that and take proper care of your teeth (brushing and so on) after drinking the energy drink, you shouldn’t experience the dental issues discussed above.
Dizziness and Fatigue
Although Zipfizz is supposed to boost your energy and concentration levels, it can also cause dizziness and fatigue if you consume it excessively. This is due to the exceptionally high dose of vitamin B12.
Nausea and Vomiting
The high dose of vitamin B12 in Zipfizz may also lead to gastrointestinal problems such as nausea and vomiting, which can cause dehydration and loss of nutrients. Caffeine may also promote vomiting, worsening the problem.
Numbness
In some cases, high doses of vitamin B over a prolonged period can cause tingling or numbness all over the body. This is a sign of overdose.
FAQS About Zipfizz Health Concerns
Is Zipfizz Carbonated?
Yes, Zipfizz is carbonated, after all, it has ‘fizz’ in its name. However, we found that its carbonation doesn’t live up to the level of a conventional soda drink. Zipfizz is a slightly bubbly flavored energy drink.
Don’t try to mix Zipfizz with a carbonated beverage to make it fizzier. This will result in excessive fizzing so it’s advised against by the company.
Is Zipfizz Keto?
Yes, Zipfizz is a keto-friendly energy drink because it contains no sugar and is low on carbohydrates.
A keto diet is a diet containing very low levels of carbs and high levels of fat to induce more efficient fat burning.
As such, an energy drink like Zipfizz that features just 2 grams of carbs and zero sugar is suitable for consumption when you’re on a keto diet given that you monitor the carbs that your body gets from other sources.
It’s also worth mentioning that the sweet taste of Zipfizz comes from the Xylitol and sucralose. These are artificial sweeteners with zero calories designed to serve as a sugar substitute.
Is Zipfizz Vegan?
No, Zipfizz isn’t a vegan energy drink because it contains animal-based taurine and L-arginine amino acids. Other than these two components, the rest of the ingredients are vegan whether plant-based or artificial.
Is Zipfizz Safe During Pregnancy?
Generally speaking, energy drinks are not recommended for consumption during pregnancy. This is because they typically possess high contents of caffeine and sugar, as well as other additives that haven’t been researched enough for safety during pregnancy.
If you’re pregnant, you’re recommended to consume no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. Higher doses of caffeine can be harmful to you and your unborn baby.
Also, taking in too much sugar while pregnant can lead to health issues such as diabetes.
When it comes to Zipfizz, the problem isn’t with its caffeine content as it contains 100 milligrams per serving, which is below the recommended limit. The problem also isn’t with its sugar content because it has no sugar and uses artificial sweeteners.
Zipfizz isn’t recommended during pregnancy and nursing because it contains guarana and high levels of Vitamin A.
Guarana is a herbal source of caffeine that hasn’t been studied enough for its safety during pregnancy. In excessive amounts, vitamin A has been proven to have teratogenic effects.
Is Zipfizz Gluten-Free?
Yes, Zipfizz is a gluten-free energy drink as all of its ingredients contain no gluten. This includes the caffeine, xylitol, sucralose, and taurine present in Zipfizz.
Is Zipfizz Bad for Your Teeth?
Zipfizz is bad for your teeth if you drink it too frequently. Zipfizz contains citric acid, which is added to give the energy drink a fruity flavor.
However, constant exposure to citric acid in Zipfizz can wear away the enamel of your teeth permanently. To avoid dental erosion, in this case, you need to limit your Zipfizz consumption and practice proper dental hygiene after drinking it.
Can Zipfizz Make You Gain Weight?
Generally speaking, Zipfizz doesn’t make you put on weight more than any other beverage that uses artificial sweeteners. It also helps that a single serving of ZipFizz contains zero sugar and only 20 calories and no sugar.
As unlikely as it is to cause weight gain, Zipfizz can actually help you lose weight. Thanks to its caffeine content, it can promote the burning of calories if you pair it with a healthy diet and regular working out.
That said, recent studies have concluded that artificial sweeteners may lead to weight gain.
For example, this research indicates that sucralose may encourage fat accumulation in the body. Zipfizz contains sucralose and xylitol.
Wrap Up
So is Zipfizz healthy? The answer is ultimately up to you!
If you consume it responsibly in moderation and don’t suffer from underlying medical conditions, you shouldn’t experience any health issues. Otherwise, it may lead to serious problems.