Home ยป Mr. Prevention Tells All: 5 Hour Energy

Mr. Prevention Tells All: 5 Hour Energy

 

After much anticipation Nicole finally tried 5 Hour Energy Saturday night (I took one, too).

Nicole’s assessment is that it is not any better than caffeine from a coffee or diet soda.  As you are likely aware, my opinion on 5 Hour Energy is slightly different.  I find 5 Hour Energy to do a substantially better job at keeping me awake and alert than either coffee or soda.  In my opinion, the amount of soda you would need to consume to achieve the same level of alertness would be way more than I could consume in terms of cans of soda or cups of coffee in a single sitting.  Not to mention that one of the great aspects of 5 Hour Energy is that if you are taking it to stay awake while driving a long distance, 2 ounces isn’t going to necessitate numerous extra bathroom stops like the other two options.

I agree with other reviews of 5 Hour Energy in that the amount of B-12 as a % of the daily recommended value is extremely high.  However, I think this is only one reason not to make a habit out of consuming 5 Hour Energy on a daily basis.  Like anything else if you consume something regularly, your body will adapt.  According to The Energy Shot Store, “With energy drinks a tolerance is built up just with any other chemical in the body to the point that one can handle more of the chemical or it doesn’t take effect.”

On the other hand, I have consumed 5 Hour Energy a handful of times over the past 2 years and it has (almost) always achieved the desired effect.  The only exception was at my bachelor party.  Let’s just say, if you consume 5 Hour Energy after having consumed massive quantities of alcohol, the 5 Hour Energy may lose the battle to the alcohol’s influence on making your body want to pass out.

However, my experience would show that taking 5 Hour Energy prior to starting the consumption of alcohol can still have the desired effect of keeping you awake and alert.

If you are the type of person that reads and obeys every warning label and only puts things in your body that you grew organically with your own two hands then 5 Hour Energy may not be something you want to try.  However, I have yet to meet too many people in the Midwest that don’t have the occasional coffee or soda.  And if you don’t have one of those, let’s face it, you probably have some other weakness that wouldn’t be approved as a regular item of consumption by Mrs. Prevention RD (think donuts, beer, candy, cookies).  As a side note, Mrs. Prevention RD consumes all of those foods on the regular. 🙂

The only other suggestion I might point out is if you intend to try 5 Hour Energy, there are generic alternatives available that you can find online and at discount stores like Big Lots.  The name brand stuff at a gas station on the side of the highway will typically run you $2.50 – $4.50 per shot.  If you watch carefully you can score the generic substitute for $1 or so.  Just make sure the ingredients match up with 5 Hour Energy (specifically the B-12 and B-6).  Some of the cheap substitutes do not contain these and this is what, in my opinion, allows 5 Hour Energy to work its magic in only 2 ounces with zero sugar and with a minimal amount of caffeine.

One other complaint that Nicole had was difficulty getting to sleep after the 5 hour period.  I find it a bit ironic that she says it didn’t not make her more awake or alert but that she had difficulty falling asleep at 1:00 and even 2:00AM (6 hours after taking the 5 hour energy).  This has not typically been an issue for me as my body tends to let me sleep whenever I want.  Although I would obviously not recommend taking the stuff if for some reason you absolutely need to sleep in the next 3-6 hours.  That would kind of defeat the purpose don’t you think???  Mr. Prevention RD out!

 

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20 Comments

  1. The Candid RD
    November 8, 2010 / 6:51 am

    Well I just completely disagree with the safety and efficacy of this product. How DARE you post about something so dangerous!

    hehe, jk.

    However, I will say that the B6 is so high that if you were to consume this on a regular basis, for several years, it could cause severe neurological problems. Also, I know what Nicole means about not necessarily feeling the effects, but not being able to sleep. That happens to me with coffee sometimes, if I have it too late.

    By the way, have you seen the new commercial for this stuff?? they pour out a banana, avocado, and broccoli from the bottle. It’s a classic false marketing scheme.

    Nice work Mark!!! Now I’ll have to talk Nick into writing a post. Ha

  2. Andrea@WellnessNotes
    November 8, 2010 / 7:27 am

    Thanks for the review, Mr. Prevention! I really enjoyed reading it! I’ve been always curious about 5 Hour Energy. It’s certainly not something I would consume on a regular basis, but maybe in an “emergency”…

  3. Anna
    November 8, 2010 / 7:32 am

    I used to force that stuff down in grad school to stay awake and write. It definitely does the job!!! But DANG did it taste nasty!

  4. Lena
    November 8, 2010 / 7:57 am

    It’s pop not soda ;). I haven’t tried the stuff and am not really tempted. I am reading a book now on the Iraqi war and was surprised how much of this type of stuff is regularly consumed. It makes sense though. Good to know there is an option should I need it one day.

  5. Grace Dickinson
    November 8, 2010 / 8:06 am

    Good to know. Thank you Mr. Prevention. I’m always a little afraid to test out the 5 Hour Energy because I’m super affected by caffeine. But I hear there’s not much of a crash with this, which is super great.

  6. biz319
    November 8, 2010 / 8:18 am

    Great guest post Mr. Prevention – my step-son swears by those things – but like you, only takes them when absolutely necessary, not on a daily basis.

    Thanks for your review ๐Ÿ˜€

  7. thehealthyapron
    November 8, 2010 / 8:20 am

    I have never tried 5 hour energy but my huibby has. I just don’t think it’s necessary (at least for me) and I haven’t read much about it (health wise) although I probably should since people DO ask me about it! Thanks for the info though!

  8. Tes
    November 8, 2010 / 8:24 am

    Thanks for the review Mr. Prevention! I am not a fan using energy booster but I do need them sometimes in my super busy days. I may try this next time I need to stay awake.

  9. Lori
    November 8, 2010 / 8:30 am

    Thank you for the review. I am piping in my 2 cents because I have had issues with this product and generics that have the same ingredients. I am highly allergic to something in these products and had about a weeks worth of suffering because I did not realize after the first one that it was the “5 Hour Energy” that caused my reaction. So my word of warning is that if you are allergic to any foods, try a half of bottle or less the first time to see if affects you in any negative ways before consuming the whole bottle. It really isn’t worth the pain to me to be able to stay awake for 5 hours.

  10. CaSaundra
    November 8, 2010 / 8:30 am

    I’ve always wondered if the 5 hour energy really worked–I swear people on my campus by it like gold!

  11. stickybuns
    November 8, 2010 / 8:45 am

    I particularly enjoyed the advice as to WHEN to drink it, if you should use it to stay awake to do a night of heavy drinking…lol

    Nope. Not convinced. I like my coffee….because besides the caffine, I enjoy it for its flavor, temperature, and smell…..but it was nice to read Mr. P’s opinion on the product!

  12. thehealthyjunky
    November 8, 2010 / 8:53 am

    Great post Mr. Prevention RD :))
    I have never had a 5 hour energy drink nor do I plan on trying anytime soon. I became too burnt out on caffeinated products and completely gave them up, now when I a latte or something, I am wired all day. Like you said, my weakness is desserts versus caffeine. My good friend swears my 5 hour energy though. He loves it.

  13. Amy @ Second City Randomness
    November 8, 2010 / 9:38 am

    I’ve never had it. I know a lot of people love it and use it often, but I’m nervous of the effects for me personally. I’ve taken stuff before to keep me awake that have only led to me getting the shakes and feeling just “uncomfortable”.

    I’m still a major coffee girl for such things.

  14. Faith
    November 8, 2010 / 9:54 am

    Great post, Mr. Prevention! I really enjoyed reading your review and I appreciated how you told the good and bad about this product. I still don’t know if I’d use it, but at least I know more about it now…thanks!

  15. GetHealthyWithHeather
    November 8, 2010 / 10:54 am

    That would probably have the same effect on me too Nicole. I drank a latte at 2:30pm on Saturday and couldn’t fall asleep until past 11pm! Usually I’m prying my eyes open to stay awake at 9. Guess if I go over my 1 cup of coffee in the morning I’m all wound up.

  16. Leah @ Why Deprive?
    November 8, 2010 / 11:47 am

    I’ve never tried 5 Hour Energy before. My brother swears by it though, there are a million of the little bottles in his truck. ๐Ÿ™‚

  17. Mari
    November 8, 2010 / 4:36 pm

    My new boy swears on these because of his crazy hours…

    I might try it sometime…

  18. Rebecca @ How the Cookies Crumble
    November 9, 2010 / 2:44 pm

    How nice of you to let the mister post on your blog. ๐Ÿ™‚ I avoid most stimulants because I have trouble sleeping but if I do choose one, it’s usually 5 hour energy of diet sodas!

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