Rubicon Raw Energy has been launched in 2021 by Barr Soft Drinks and is much different from already popular energy drinks such as Red Bull and Lucozade.
It contains 20% fruit juice and is made with several natural ingredients that promote good health but how healthy is this energy drink actually? Is it good or bad for you?
In this review, we will look at its ingredients in detail and reveal whether Rubicon Raw Energy is better than other energy drinks.
Rubicon Raw Energy – Ingredients
Rubicon Raw Energy comes in a variety of flavours but the basic ingredients are the same in all the drinks:
- Carbonated Water
- Fruit juices from concentrate (20%)
- Sugar
- Citric Acid – flavour enhancer and preservative
- Acidity Regulator: Sodium Citrate
- Natural Flavourings
- Stabilisers such as Pectin and Gum Arabic
- Concentrates
- Natural Caffeine from Green Coffee Beans – considered to be healthier for several reasons
- Sucralose (artificial sweetener)
- Guarana Extract – a natural ingredient known to boost energy and reduce fatigue
- Ginseng Root Extract – has several health benefits including reducing fatigue, boosting cognitive function and maintaining normal blood sugars.
- Added vitamins: Niacin, B6, B12
Although Rubicon Raw Energy has several natural ingredients, it’s not 100% natural. It contains artificial sweetener sucralose which may cause digestive issues in some people and is associated with other side effects. This ingredient could be replaced with stevia, a more natural sweetener, to make this drink healthier.
What sets Rubicon Raw Energy apart from other energy drinks is the type of caffeine they use. Instead of using synthetically produced caffeine, they use naturally derived caffeine (from green coffee beans).
However, chemically they are the same thing and have the same effect although synthetic caffeine is known to work faster, giving you a quicker burst of energy. Caffeine from natural sources is better for you though as it provides a slower release of energy.
Natural extracts guarana and ginseng are popular ingredients found in many energy drinks and apart from reducing fatigue, they also offer many health benefits so it’s good to see them in Rubicon Raw.
Just like many other energy drinks, Rubicon Raw Energy also has added B vitamins which play an important role in the body’s energy production as they help the body convert food into energy.
Rubicon Raw Energy – Calories
Rubicon Raw Energy contains fruit juices and sugar which add to the calories of the drink, however, due to added artificial sweetener it is not that high in calories. It contains 21 calories per 100ml which means that a 500ml can has 107 calories.
Just for a comparison, Red Bull energy drink contains 46 calories per 100ml which is more than double the calories of Rubicon Raw Energy. This makes Rubicon Raw Energy a healthier choice.
How much caffeine is in Rubicon energy drink?
There is 0.03% caffeine in Rubicon Raw Energy or 32mg per 100ml. A 500ml can gives you 160mg of caffeine which is considered a lot of caffeine in one go.
However, the Rubicon energy drink doesn’t contain more caffeine per 100ml than any typical energy drink. One can of Red Bull (250ml), for example, contains 80 mg of caffeine. So, drinking a 500ml can of Rubicon is like consuming two Red Bulls when it comes to caffeine content.
Due to high caffeine content, pregnant and breastfeeding should avoid consuming Rubicon Energy. This drink is also not recommended for children.
Is Rubicon Raw Energy good or bad for you?
Rubicon Raw is an energy drink and energy drinks, in general, are not considered to be healthy due to their high caffeine content and various side effects.
The positive thing about Rubicon Raw Energy is that it is not high in sugar and calories so it’s definitely not a bad choice if you are trying to decide between different energy drinks. However, you need to be aware that consuming too much caffeine comes with side effects such as digestive problems, sleep problems and anxiety.
You should also know that reduced sugar content in Rubicon Raw comes at a cost – some of the sugar has been replaced with artificial sweetener sucralose which has its own side effects. This sweetener can alter gut bacteria, increase inflammation in the body and may even cause diabetes.
Although Rubicon Raw Energy seems to be healthier than many energy drinks, it should still be consumed in moderation and only on occasions to avoid side effects that can occur due to high caffeine consumption and consumption of artificial sweeteners.