The 8 Best Natural Energy Drinks of 2022, According to Nutritionists

We include products we think will be useful to our readers. We may receive a small commission if you make a purchase through a link on this site. This is our process.

Many people rely on energy drinks to boost their energy throughout the day.

But most popular energy drinks have added sugar, even more so than soda. Some also contain artificial colors and sweeteners that you may want to avoid, and have a lot of caffeine, which can make you jittery, anxious, or high.

Please note that both the USDA and EFSA consider caffeine safe to consume up to 400 mg per day.

However, there are several brands of healthy natural energy drinks that will give you the energy drink you need without the side effects.

A quick look at our selection of the best natural energy drinks

• Best Yerba Mate Energy Drink: Sparkling Organic Yerba Maté with Citrus, Hibiscus and Guayaki Unsweetened Yerba Maté
• Best Natural Power Shot: A Proper Wild Power Shot
• Best Natural Collagen Power Pills: Vital Proteins Collagen Power Pills
• Best Guayusa Tea-Based Energy Drink: Mati Sparkling Organic Energy Drink (No Sugar Added)
• Best Matcha Energy Drink: Toro Matcha Sparkling Ginger
• Best Natural Pre-Workout Energy Drink Powder: Ora Renewable Energy
• Best Coffee Power Powder: Laird Superfood Instafuel (No Sugar Added)

What is a natural energy drink?

Unlike most other energy drinks, natural energy drinks contain no artificial sweeteners or synthetic colors, which some people prefer to omit from their diet.

They are made from natural ingredients such as green tea, yerba mate and botanical extracts.

In addition, the energy drinks on this list do not contain any added sugars, which can be harmful to health when added in large amounts.

Advantages

Energy drinks contain ingredients like green tea, coffee and guarana to help give you a quick boost when you’re feeling tired. Sipping energy drinks can help you increase your alertness and even improve your mood.

Some people use energy drinks to improve their athletic performance or to increase concentration and memory at work or school.

While you may occasionally use an energy drink to minimize the effects of fatigue or improve athletic performance, it’s not a good idea to use an energy drink on a regular basis or rely on it to get you through the day.

Energy drinks are not a substitute for getting enough sleep, eating a nutritious diet, managing stress, and addressing underlying health issues that can lead to persistent, unexplained fatigue.

Risks and Side Effects

Drinking energy drinks that contain high levels of stimulants can cause unwanted side effects.

For example, a 2021 review found that the most common side effects of energy drink use in teens and adults were insomnia, stress, agitation, and mood swings.

The authors recommend limiting energy drink consumption, noting that 5-7 cups per week may be too much.

In addition, excessive consumption of energy drinks has been linked to dangerous medical problems such as seizures, coma, liver damage and cardiac arrhythmias.

They are even associated with some deaths.

Energy drinks should not be part of your daily diet and should not be consumed in excess. It is important to limit your intake of stimulants such as caffeine to reduce the chance of adverse side effects such as insomnia and nervousness.

The natural energy drinks on this list contain less than 200 milligrams per serving, which is about what is in a 12-ounce cup (360 milliliters) of coffee, so they are unlikely to have adverse side effects when consumed in moderation.

How we choose the best natural energy drinks

• Ingredients. The energy drinks on this list contain 0 grams of added sugar and no artificial sweeteners or colors.
• Caffeine content. We’ve chosen natural energy drinks with less than 200 mg of caffeine per serving.
• Recommended by a nutritionist. All products listed below are selected by registered dietitians.
• Test. All included products are tested to ensure they meet Healthline’s medical and commercial standards.

Price Description

General price ranges are shown below with dollar signs ($–$$$). One dollar sign indicates a more affordable product, while three dollar signs indicate a higher price.

Prices typically range from $0.22 to $1.75 per serving, or $14.95 to $54.00 per box, but may vary depending on where you shop.

Servings vary. Seven of the products listed below are beverages and three are powders.

Price overview

• $ = less than $0.25 per serving
• $$ = $0.25-$1.00 per serving
• $$$ = over $1.00 per serving

Healthline’s selection of the best natural energy drinks

The best yerba mate energy drink

Sparkling Organic Yerba with Citrus and Hibiscus

Price:$$

Sound creates refreshing beverages that are naturally sweetened with plant extracts.

Although it’s not advertised as an energy drink, its Sparkling Organic Yerba Maté contains 70mg of caffeine from yerba mate, white and green teas to give you an energy boost.

In one study, yerba mate improved athletic performance without altering participants’ perception of motion. This is said to help them achieve more with the same effort.

Yerba Mate is made from the leaves of the Paraguayan holly, a tree native to South America. It is a concentrated source of caffeine.

This drink is flavored with hibiscus, lemon and lime extracts for a delicious citrus flavor with no added sugar.

Each 355ml bottle contains:

• Calories: 0
• Caffeine: 70 mg

Guayaqui Sugar Free Yerba

Price:$

Research suggests that yerba mate may help improve energy, focus, athletic performance, and focus, making it an important ingredient in a natural energy boost.

Guayaki Unsweetened Yerba Maté is organic and contains less than 1 gram of natural sugars.

Each 473ml bottle contains:

• Calories: 5
• Caffeine: 140 mg

The best natural energy photos

True Wild Clean All Day Energy Shot

Price:$$$

Proper Wild’s Clean All Day Energy Shots contain Organic Green Tea and 120 mg of L-Theanine, a concentrated amino acid in green tea linked to neuroprotection, brain enhancement and stress reduction.

These products are flavored with concentrated fruit.

Each 75ml bottle contains:

• Calories: 45
• Caffeine: 100mg

The best collagen natural energy pills

Vital Proteins Collagen Energy Shots

Price:$$$

Vital Proteins Collagen Energy Shots provide caffeine derived from coffee berry extract.

These injectables also contain collagen peptides, B vitamins, hyaluronic acid, and alpha-GPC, a compound that helps improve athletic performance when taken in high doses.

In addition, these products are low in calories and contain 7 grams of protein per serving. They are naturally flavored with grapefruit and lemon juice.

Each 89ml bottle contains:

• Calories: 40
• Caffeine: 90 mg
• Protein: 7 grams

Best Guayusa Tea-Based Energy Drink

Mati Unsweetened, Sparkling Organic Energy Drink (No Sugar Added)

Price:$

Mati Sparkling Organic Energy Drink is made from brewed Guayusa tea.

Guayusa tea, also known as Runa tea, is made from the leaves of evergreen trees that grow in the Amazon and have been consumed by indigenous peoples in the Amazon for centuries.

Guayusa tea contains caffeine as well as phenolic antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties.

This product contains less than 1% sauce. Be sure to buy the unsweetened version, as Mati also offers sugar-sweetened products

Each 355ml bottle contains:

• Calories: 0
• Caffeine: 115 mg

Best Matcha Energy Drink

Toro Matcha Sparkling Ginger

Price:$$

Toro Matcha Ginger Ale contains organic lemon and ginger juice from Japan and the taste of organic matcha.

Each can provides 60 mg of caffeine - enough for a gentle energy boost. This drink is a good option for people who are sensitive to high-caffeine beverages, as it contains less than a regular cup of coffee.

Each 355ml bottle contains:

• Calories: 10
• Caffeine: 60 mg

The best natural pre-workout energy drink powder

ORA Renewable Energy Beet Pomegranate Flavor

Price:$$$

Ora Renewable Energy is a great option for those looking for a nutrient-packed pre-workout powder.

Unlike many other pre-workout supplements, Ora Renewable Energy provides performance-enhancing ingredients with no added sugar, artificial colors or preservatives.

This product is vegan and sourced from controlled organic farming. It contains yerba mate, organic green coffee beans, matcha, ginseng, and Acanthopanax root - also known as Siberian ginseng, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times.

It also contains pomegranate juice powder, beetroot, spinach, and kale, which may help improve circulation and stamina.

Keep in mind that Ceremonial Matcha and Raspberry Lemonade flavors contain 4 grams and 5 grams of added sugar, respectively. However, the Beet Pomegranate flavor has zero added sugar.

You can mix this pre-workout supplement with water or add it to a smoothie.

One scoop (10 grams) contains:

• Calories: 35
• Caffeine: 90 mg

The best coffee-based energy powder

Laird Superfood Instafuel (no sugar added)

Price:$$$

Laird Superfood Instafuel (unsweetened) is a great alternative to sugar-sweetened coffee drinks.

It contains freeze-dried Arabica coffee, coconut milk powder, organic coconut oil, and algae, a multi-mineral derived from red algae that may benefit gut health and has anti-inflammatory properties.

1/4 cup (25 g) serving contains:

• Calories: 160
• Caffeine: 104 mg

Quick comparison

	Price	Calories	Caffeine	Advantages	Notes
Sound Sparkling Organic Yerba Maté with citrus and hibiscus	$$	0	70mg	Zero Calories	A little expensive
Guayaqui Sugar Free Yerba	$	5	140mg	No sugar added	cheap
Appropriate Wild Power Shots	$$$	45	100mg	No sugar added	Expensive
Vital Proteins Collagen Energy Shots	$$$	40	90mg	7 grams of protein	Expensive
Marty Bubble Organic Energy Drink (Unsweetened)	$	0	115mg	Zero Calories	cheap
Toro Matcha Sparkling Ginger	$$	10	60mg	No sugar added	A little expensive
Ola Renewable Energy	$$$	35	90mg	Beet & Pomegranate No Added Sugar	Expensive
Laird Superfood Instafuel (No Sugar Added)	$$$	160	104mg	More calories than other drinks on the list	Expensive

Additional Notes

While the occasional caffeinated beverage is very healthy, if you find yourself relying on energy drinks to get through the day, consider other factors that may affect your stamina.

Lack of sleep, poor diet, chronic stress, excessive exercise, and drug and alcohol use are just some of the factors that affect your energy levels.

Fatigue can also be caused by health conditions such as anemia, sleep apnea, and diabetes, as well as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and other autoimmune diseases.

If you suffer from persistent fatigue, it’s important to get to the source of the problem rather than relying on energy-boosting supplements, medications, or energy drinks.

If you are concerned about low energy levels, consult your doctor.

Also, caffeinated beverages may not be suitable for everyone. For example, teens, people with anxiety disorders, and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should limit their caffeine intake.

Summary

Many factors can contribute to chronic fatigue. If you find yourself relying on energy drinks on a regular basis, consult a healthcare professional.

How and when to drink natural energy drinks

While enjoying natural energy drinks here and there won’t harm your health, it’s important to keep your total intake of stimulants like caffeine below a certain level to avoid side effects like nervousness and insomnia.

All energy products on this list contain less than 140 mg of caffeine, which is significantly less than a 12-ounce cup of coffee.

Keep in mind that consuming more than 400 mg of caffeine per day can cause unwanted side effects and is not recommended.

However, some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others and may experience side effects such as nervousness or insomnia even after consuming relatively small amounts of caffeine.

If you are sensitive to caffeine, energy drinks that contain high amounts of caffeine should not be consumed. In general, avoid caffeinated beverages, such as energy drinks, later in the day, as they may affect sleep quality.

FAQ

Which energy drink has the most natural ingredients?

If you’re looking for a natural energy drink, choose a product with limited ingredients. Some energy drinks have only a few simple ingredients, such as green tea and lemon juice.

Remember, if you’re looking for a natural way to boost your energy levels, you can simply drink a cup of caffeinated tea or coffee.

What makes an energy drink a natural energy drink?

Natural energy drinks are free of artificial sweeteners and synthetic colors. Instead, they contain natural ingredients like green tea, yerba mate, and botanical extracts.

As defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, if the word “natural” appears on the label, the product should not contain any artificial or synthetic ingredients.

What are the best natural energy ingredients?

Most of the energy drinks on this list use energizing ingredients such as green tea, matcha, coffee, yerba mate, and guarana.

These ingredients are all effective at boosting short-term energy levels, so it depends on personal preference. For example, if you don’t like green tea, try a product that contains coffee or yerba mate.

Importantly, you should not rely on energy drinks for energy. If you experience persistent fatigue despite getting enough sleep, be sure to consult your doctor to rule out an underlying medical problem.

Final result

If you’re looking for a natural energy boost, try one of the drinks listed above.

However, if you rely on energy drinks for energy throughout the day, it’s best to consult your doctor to find better ways to boost your energy levels.