Health - Wellness
Are Alani Nu Energy Drinks Good For You?
By ERIN MARIE
Sold in 12-oz cans that resemble summertime spritzers, Alani Nu energy drinks have only 10 calories, lots of B vitamins, and 200 milligrams of caffeine. They come in a variety of fantastical-sounding flavors, from mimosa to arctic white to cosmic stardust, and have zero sugar and gluten — but are they actually good for you?
Alani Nu contains guarana seed extract, which can have caffeine levels four times higher than coffee beans. At 200 milligrams of caffeine, one can is equivalent to drinking two cups of brewed coffee, and too much caffeine can lead to risk-taking behaviors, agitation, and poor mental health, especially among adolescents.
Alani Nu drinks also are made with L-Theanine, an amino acid thought to have mood-boosting effects that decrease feelings of anxiety. L-Theanine in Alani Nu is likely used to balance out the stimulant effects of caffeine, but while your brain may be calm, alert, and focused, your body may still unpleasantly jitter.
Erin Notz, creator of lifestyle blog Vitality Vixens, writes that ”these energy drinks are a healthier option than many of their competitors." Registered dietitians over at the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab rank Alani Nu among the "8 Best Energy Drinks of 2022," but they warn against consuming more than one energy drink per day.