Is Prime an energy drink?
The bottom line
Prime drinks, including Prime Energy®, Prime Hydration®, and Prime UFC 300 are increasingly popular among children, adolescents, and young adults. Prime products contain coconut water and electrolytes; Prime Energy also contains 200 mg of caffeine per can. Because of its caffeine content, children, pregnant or lactating women, and those who are sensitive to the effects of caffeine should avoid consumption of Prime Energy.
Prevention Tips
Be aware of all the sources of caffeine in your diet, including coffee, tea, chocolate, and energy drinks.
Talk to your doctor if you experience unexpected or prolonged side effects after consuming caffeinated products.
Do not consume Prime Energy® or other stimulant-containing drinks if you are under 18 years of age, pregnant, or lactating.
This Really Happened
In July 2023, the Government of Canada announced a recall of caffeinated energy drinks, including certain formulations of Celsius®, Prime Energy®, and 5-Hour Energy®. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency found that the products exceeded the country’s allowable caffeine limit of 180 mg per serving. As part of the recall, consumers were advised to avoid drinking, selling, or distributing the affected products. This recall followed US Senator Charles Schumer’s request to have the US Food and Drug Administration investigate Prime products (from the Government of Canada and AP News).
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What are Prime drinks?
Prime is a beverage brand launched in 2022 by Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji (KSI), a British boxer and YouTube star, and Logan Paul, an American professional wrestler and social media influencer. KSI and Logan Paul initially sparred in the boxing ring, but later became business partners and collaborated to develop Prime. Their initial beverage, Prime Hydration®, was introduced in 2022, followed shortly thereafter by Prime Energy and, more recently, by Prime UFC 300 (similar to Prime Hydration®).
Both KSI and Logan Paul have substantial social media accounts that encompass nearly 100 million followers. The influencers’ expansive social media outreach, along with the initial hard-to-find nature of many Prime products, helped promote Prime to near-cult status in 2022 and 2023. As of 2023, Prime is the official sports drink of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and the English professional football club, Arsenal. The official energy drink of the UFC is Monster Energy.
What is the difference between Prime Energy and Prime Hydration?
Prime Energy®, which contains caffeine, is sold in cans. Prime Hydration® and Prime UFC 300 do not contain caffeine and are supplied in bottles. There are also powder formulations of Prime Hydration®. All three Prime products are available in various flavors, including Tropical Punch, Blue Raspberry, and Ice Pop. According to their manufacturer, Prime drinks are low in calories and are also vegan and gluten-free.
What are Prime Energy® drink ingredients?
Prime Energy® ingredients include filtered water, coconut water, caffeine, flavoring agents, electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and magnesium), B vitamins, and some essential amino acids. Prime Energy® also contains sucralose, an artificial sweetener that some studies have linked to DNA damage and a leaky gut. Because Prime Energy® contains coconut water, people with tree nut allergies may wish to avoid consumption of this product. The ingredients in Prime Hydration® and Prime UFC 300 are similar to those in Prime Energy®, minus the caffeine.
Is Prime Energy® drink bad for you?
Each can of Prime Energy® contains 200 mg of caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant drug that can improve physical performance and increase endurance, but caffeine consumption can also cause undesirable side effects, including nausea, shakiness, anxiety, and heart palpitations. The human body’s ability to break down caffeine varies, so some people are more likely than others to develop these side effects. When caffeine is taken in excess, life-threatening heart rhythm abnormalities, seizures, and severe electrolyte abnormalities can occur.
In general, most adults can safely consume 400 mg of caffeine per day without experiencing dangerous side effects, but a safe dose of caffeine has not been established for children. Caffeine consumption in children is linked to behavioral problems, mood disturbances, and poor sleep quality. Because of this, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children and teenagers avoid drinking energy drinks that contain caffeine or other stimulant drugs.
Is Prime Hydration® good for kids?
Prime Hydration® and Prime UFC 300 do not contain caffeine and are safer alternatives to Prime Energy® for children. However, this does not mean that they are good for kids to consume. They contain citric acid, a preservative and flavoring agent that is a common ingredient in sports drinks. Due to its low pH, citric acid can promote tooth erosion. Additionally, while sports drinks are often marketed as ways to prevent dehydration and replace sweat-related fluid losses after exercise, these drinks likely offer few benefits over plain drinking water for most people, including healthy children and adolescents.
What should you do if a Prime drink makes you sick?
If someone develops unexplained or unexpected symptoms after drinking Prime, use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool to get help, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
