Essential Amino Energy 270g

Optimum Nutrition Essential Amino Energy – drink powder with amino acids and caffeine

Essential Amino Energy (Essential AMIN.O. Energy on the pack) is a powdered food supplement from Optimum Nutrition that makes a flavoured drink when mixed with cold water. One 9 g serving, or two scoops, provides 5 g of amino acids, 100 mg of caffeine and 24 mg of vitamin C. The powder also contains green tea and green coffee extract. The tub holds 270 g of powder, enough for 30 servings.

The product is sweetened with the sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame K. Depending on the flavour, one serving contains 28–30 kcal and 0.1–0.2 g of sugars. The official composition of the version sold in the European Union is published for three flavours: Fruit Fusion, Orange Cooler and Lemon & Lime. Their amounts of amino acids, caffeine and vitamin C are the same; they differ in flavouring and colours.

Amino acids, caffeine and plant extracts

The 5 g amino acid blend in each serving consists of ten amino acids. The largest amounts are L-glutamine (1000 mg) and the branched-chain amino acids, or BCAAs: 1000 mg of L-leucine, 500 mg of L-isoleucine and 500 mg of L-valine, 2 g in total. The blend also contains L-arginine and taurine (500 mg each), beta-alanine (350 mg), L-tyrosine (250 mg), L-histidine (200 mg) and L-lysine hydrochloride (200 mg). Sunflower lecithin is used as an emulsifier.

One serving contains a total of 100 mg of caffeine. The ingredient list includes natural caffeine, green tea leaf extract (100 mg per serving) and green coffee extract (25 mg per serving). The green tea extract provides 10 mg of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) per daily dose. The tangy taste comes from citric, malic and tartaric acid, thickeners give the drink an even texture and anti-caking agents keep the powder free-flowing.

Vitamin C

Each serving contains 24 mg of vitamin C as L-ascorbic acid, which is 30% of the nutrient reference value (NRV) for adults.

• Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
• Vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
• Vitamin C contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
• Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.

How to use?

Mix 9 g of powder (2 scoops) with 330 ml of cold water and drink straight away. The recommended amount is one serving a day, which must not be exceeded. The drink can be taken, for example, in the morning, in the middle of the day or 15–30 minutes before training. As one serving contains 100 mg of caffeine, take other caffeine-containing drinks and products consumed on the same day into account. Because of the green tea extract, do not consume on an empty stomach or on the same day as other products containing green tea. Keep the tub in a cool, dry place out of reach of young children.

Who is it for?

Essential Amino Energy is suitable for adults who want a flavoured drink with amino acids and caffeine, for example in the morning, in the middle of the working day or before training. The powder is easy to mix with water in a bottle or shaker, and the 30-serving tub is easy to take to the gym or the office. The product is not suitable for anyone under 18 or for pregnant or breastfeeding women. If you are sensitive to caffeine, take medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist before use. Milk, gluten, egg, soy, nuts and peanuts are not used as ingredients, but the product may contain traces of them.

Available flavours

• Fruit Fusion – fruit-flavoured drink; colours beetroot red, curcumin and carotenes.
• Orange Cooler – orange-flavoured drink; colours carotenes, curcumin and beetroot red.
• Lemon & Lime – lemon and lime flavoured drink; colour curcumin, plus spirulina powder.

Each serving of all three flavours contains 5 g of amino acids and 100 mg of caffeine; the exact composition is listed under ingredients. The composition of other flavours in the Sportlab range may differ slightly – see the pack.