FAQs
Why has the formula of XS Energy Drinks changed recently?
XS™ Energy Drink is committed to providing you and your clients with a quality range of drinks that are not
only refreshing, but taste great! Over the next few months you will notice changes to the vitamin and herbal
blend within our XS™ Energy Drinks range. There has been a slight adjustment to the B vitamin and the herbal
blend. XS Energy Drinks now contain 2 key essential herbs in higher doses than before. These two herbs known
as Panax Ginseng (Korean ginseng) and Panax Quinquefolium (American ginseng) work together to offer an
improved energy drink range, which supports mental performance and energy levels, so you can be at your best
all day, every day.
How much sugar is in an XS drink?
There is less than 1/2 calorie (2 kilojoules) of sugar in an XS Energy Drink.
Up to 8 calories in XS Energy Drinks are from amino acids and are protein calories that are used in your body’s
natural metabolic process. Most energy drinks in the market today have over 100 calories from 27-30 grams of
sugar (approximately 7 teaspoons of sugar), which is a simple carbohydrate. Most 375 mL non-diet soft drinks
have 170 calories from 40 grams of sugar (approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar). Most 160 mL juice drinks
have 80 calories from 20 grams of sugar (approximately 5 teaspoons of sugar).
How does XS taste so good without sugar, carbs and so few calories? Aren’t there fruit juices in the
drink?
XS Energy Drinks use a proprietary blend of Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium (Ace K) and fruit flavours to give
the drinks their great flavour without sugar or empty calories. In fact the 8 calories in the drink come from the 2
grams of amino acids, which are protein calories.
THE SWEETENERS
Acesulfame Potassium-Ace-K is non-caloric, non-cariogenic (does not promote tooth decay), non-nutritive
sweetener that delivers powerful, great-tasting sweetness (approximately 200 times as sweet as sucrose).
Preferred because its sweet taste is perceived quickly, does not linger, and does not persist longer than
the taste of the product. It provides excellent sugar-like taste. For more information visit http://www.
nutritionexpress.com/article+index/vitamins+supplements+a-z/showarticle.aspx?id=120
Sucralose is a revolutionary no calorie sweetener that is made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar. It has an
outstanding safety profile. Sucralose has now been approved by the regulatory agencies of more than 50
countries, including the United States (1998), Canada (1991), Australia and New Zealand. Today, millions of
people around the world enjoy more than 400 foods and beverages sweetened with sucralose.
Is there caffeine in XS Energy Drinks?
Yes, there are 80 milligrams of caffeine in a can of XS Energy drink. This is about the same amount of caffeine
as in a normal cup of coffee and many soft drinks. If you are caffeine-sensitive, none of these caffeinecontaining drinks may be for you.
Doesn’t caffeine make you jittery?
Everyone’s body reacts differently to different foods. In most cases, it is not caffeine that makes people “jittery”. It
is usually the “sugar high” that makes people “jittery”. When they “crash” after a sugar high, some people think the
solution is another “sugar high” that starts another up-down-up-down cycle that can be very unhealthy both short
term and long term.
Why is caffeine in the drinks?
These drinks are ENERGY Drinks formulated to deliver energy without loads of calories from sugar. Caffeine is a
great way to boost energy and enhance performance and give you a boost without the sugar highs and crashes.
Are there any other benefits to caffeine?
Recent studies have highlighted the advantages of caffeine for certain medical conditions. The Caffeine Advantage:
How to Sharpen Your Mind, Improve Your Physical Performance, and Achieve Your Goals-- the Healthy Way by Bennett
Alan Weinberg (Author) and Bonnie K. Bealer (Author) is an interesting summary of recent studies.
Isn’t caffeine on the “Banned Substances” list used by the Olympics and NCAA college athletics?
Caffeine is found in many common and everyday foods. It is an alkaloid with a stimulant action. Caffeine is not
classified as a prohibited stimulant under the 2016 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods from the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA). (http://list.wada-ama.org/list/s6-stimulants/#caffeine)
Athletes at high levels should always know the restricted and banned substances related to their sport and to the
international sports world, and should always make the decision themselves should they choose to take a product.
The final decision is always in the hands of the athlete.
What are adaptogenic herbs?
Adaptogenic herbs help to normalise body system functions, thus enhancing human performance. Adaptogenic
herbs aid the body in managing stress. When your body stresses it pumps cortisol. Cortisol in the blood stream
sends a message to your body that you need foods high in fat and sugar, also known as ‘comfort foods.’ Studies
show that adaptogenic herbs suppress the production of cortisol and decrease the cravings some people have
for comfort foods. Also, athletes will find that the speed of their recovery times increases after workouts using
adaptogenic herbs, such as the blend found in XS Energy Drinks. The blend of herbs in XS Energy Drinks is very
similar to the blend used by Russian Olympic Athletes to overcome stress from their workouts and radically reduce
recovery times.
What herbs are in XS Energy Drinks?
XS Energy Drink contains the adaptogenic herbs Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolium.
Why are B Vitamins used?
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 all belong to a group of
vitamins known collectively as B Vitamins. These vitamins are essential for the breakdown of carbohydrates in
the body to provide energy. They are also essential for the breakdown of fats and proteins, which aids the normal
functioning of the nervous system.
Is it possible to overdose on B Vitamins?
No. B Vitamins are part of the group called “water soluble” vitamins. Excessive amounts of “water soluble” vitamins
are merely excreted through the urine.
What is Taurine?
Taurine is an amino acid that helps maintain biochemical interactions involved in muscle contraction.
Why are colouring dyes used in the drink?
This is an important question, because there has been a lot of press about some chemicals that are
dangerous and have been used in the past to add colour to food. None of those dangerous chemicals are used
in XS. It is important not to confuse safe, everyday dyes used in countless food products with entirely different
products that were also used to colour food products. This is analogous to believing that all wall paints should
be avoided because some wall paints in the past contained the dangerous chemical, lead.
XS uses two very popular and frequently used food colourings. The two food colours, both of which are
permitted under the Australia/ New Zealand Food Standards Code, are Tartrazine (2mg or 8 parts per million)
in the Citrus and Allura Red #40 (2.5mg or 10 parts per million) in the Cranberry. They are used to supplement
the natural colours of the drinks. Extensive scientific studies have never discovered any negative side-effects
from these dyes at these extremely low amounts. The reason XS contains these dyes is the same reason it
contains flavourings. It’s great to take vitamins and adaptogenic herbs for your body and XS Energy has it in a
form that appeals to most people in regards to taste, appearance and convenience.