Bang Energy drinks have exploded in popularity in recent years, marketed as a zero calorie, sugar free energy drink. With unique flavors like Birthday Cake Bash, Champagne, and Black Cherry Vanilla, Bang has developed a cult-like following. But the big claim by Bang is that their drinks contain zero calories and zero sugar, which seems too good to be true for an energy drink. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the ingredients in Bang to see if it really has no calories.
What is Bang Energy?
Bang Energy was founded in 1993 by Jack Owoc, who set out to create the world’s healthiest energy drink. Unlike traditional energy drinks loaded with sugar, Bang contains no calories, no carbohydrates, and no sugar. With only trace amounts of sodium and potassium, Bang packs an energy and focus boost in a calorie-free package. The proprietary energy blend includes caffeine, BCAAs, CoQ10, and other ingredients designed to increase mental and physical energy.
In just a few short years, Bang has gone from a niche product to one of the most popular energy drinks on the market. It’s advertised as the perfect drink whether you’re doing intense exercise, just looking for a pick-me-up, or trying to lose weight. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts love Bang for the energy kick without the calories.
Nutrition Facts for Original Bang
Here are the nutrition facts for a 16 oz can of the original Bang energy drink according to the label:
Bang Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 16 fl oz (1 can) |
| Amount Per Serving | |
| Calories | 0 |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 40 mg |
| Potassium | 85 mg |
| Total Carbs | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
With zero calories, zero fat, zero total carbohydrates, and zero protein, Bang seems too good to be true. Let’s look closer at the ingredients to see how they accomplish this.
Bang Ingredients
The proprietary energy blend in Bang includes:
– Caffeine – One 16 oz can contains 300 mg of caffeine, comparable to two or three cups of coffee. Caffeine is added for energy and focus.
– Creatyl-L-Leucine – A patented form of the amino acid leucine, which helps grow and maintain muscle tissue. Provides the BCAA leucine.
– Vitamin C – An essential antioxidant vitamin that supports immune health.
– Vitamin B12 – Supports red blood cell production and neurological function. Provides an energy boost.
– Vitamin B6 – Another B vitamin crucial for metabolizing nutrients and neurotransmitters. May enhance cognition.
– Magnesium Chloride – An essential mineral involved in muscle and nerve function. Also aids hydration.
– Sodium Chloride – Provides electrolytes in the form of sodium and chloride. Helps maintain fluid balance.
– Potassium Chloride – Supplies the important electrolyte potassium, which has various roles in the body.
– Sucralose – An artificial sweetener that provides sweetness without calories or carbohydrates. Around 600x sweeter than sugar.
Other ingredients include natural flavors, citric acid, and calcium chloride. As you can see, the Bang formula contains no sugar or calories itself. The sweetness comes from sucralose, while the energy is delivered by caffeine and B vitamins. But how does this formula add up to zero calories? Let’s dig deeper.
Calculating Calories in Bang
According to the FDA, in order to list the calorie content as zero, the product must contain fewer than 5 calories per serving. Looking at the Bang ingredients, the only one that provides calories is caffeine.
The caffeine dosage of 300 mg equals about 3-5 calories. This falls under the FDA limit, allowing Bang to legally list the calorie count as zero. Even though caffeine contains calories, the small amount in Bang doesn’t require listing a calorie count.
The amino acids, vitamins, minerals, sweeteners, and flavors contain no significant calories or carbohydrates, validating the zero calorie claim. A 16 oz can of Bang energy provides an energy boost with either zero or only trace calories, depending on whether you count the caffeine content.
The Controversy Over Bang’s Zero Calorie Claim
Despite the FDA’s 5 calorie rule, some nutrition experts argue that Bang should not be able to advertise as containing zero calories due to the caffeine content. Consumer advocacy groups like CSPI (Center for Science in the Public Interest) have called out Bang for misleading labeling practices regarding the calorie claim.
Caffeine is technically a psychoactive stimulant drug that speeds up metabolism and therefore provides calories and energy. Even if it’s under 5 calories per serving, some believe caffeine should preclude a “zero calorie” claim on principle. The FDA is reportedly reconsidering their stance on allowing trace calories to be listed as zero. But for now, Bang has not violated any regulations regarding their labeling.
Regardless of the technicality, for most consumers the small caloric contribution from caffeine will have a negligible impact. When choosing between a regular energy drink containing 150 calories or more, and Bang with zero or a few calories, Bang is still the clear winner for calorie-counters.
Benefits of Choosing Bang’s Zero Calorie Energy Drink
Assuming the calories from caffeine are minimal, the benefits of choosing zero calorie Bang include:
– Weight loss or maintenance – No need to add in extra unwanted calories when trying to lose or maintain weight.
– Blood sugar control – Zero impact on blood glucose levels compared to high sugar drinks. Safe for diabetics.
– Dental health – Sugar is a major culprit in tooth decay. Bang won’t damage teeth with sugar.
– Athletic performance – Useful pre-workout energy without impeding fat burning. Hydration support.
– Avoiding crash – No sugar spike and crash from typical energy drinks. Provides sustained energy.
– Nutrient content – Contains beneficial amino acids, antioxidants, B vitamins, and electrolytes like potassium.
For these reasons, Bang has become popular among everyone from athletes to busy professionals to dieters. However, Bang does have its drawbacks as well.
Downsides of Bang’s Formula
Despite the advantages of zero calories and sugar, there are some potential cons with Bang energy drinks:
– Artificial sweeteners – Controversy exists over the safety of sucralose and other artificial sweeteners. Could negatively impact gut bacteria.
– High caffeine – The 300 mg dose may cause jitteriness or anxiety in caffeine-sensitive individuals. Not recommended for children.
– B vitamin mega-doses – Contains well over 100% DV for B6, B12, which could lead to side effects long-term.
– Proprietary blend – Exact amounts of amino acids and other ingredients aren’t disclosed.
– Expense – Typically costs $2-$3 per can, making it one of the pricier energy drink options.
– Taste – Some dislike the strong artificial sweetener taste, though natural flavor options are available.
Overall, Bang energy seems to have more pros than cons, though individual reactions can vary greatly. Moderation is still wise with such a highly caffeinated beverage. Those sensitive to sweeteners like sucralose may also want to exercise caution.
Is Bang Keto and Paleo Friendly?
Two of the most popular diet trends currently are the high-fat, low-carb ketogenic (keto) diet, and the Paleo diet, which emulates ancient human diets. Since Bang contains zero carbohydrates or sugar, it can fit into a keto, low carb, or Paleo eating plan.
However, there is some debate whether artificial sweeteners are truly keto-friendly or Paleo. Some experts advise avoiding all artificial ingredients and sweeteners on very low carb or Paleo diets. Others believe small amounts of sucralose or erythritol are fine. This seems to be an individual choice based on how strictly one wishes to avoid artificial additives.
But in terms of carb and sugar content, Bang aligns well with keto and Paleo. It provides an energy boost without disrupting ketosis or increasing blood sugar. For this reason, Bang has developed a big following in the keto community.
How Does Bang Compare to Other Energy Drinks?
To judge how well Bang delivers on its product claims, it helps to compare it to other top energy drinks on the market:
Energy Drink Nutrition Comparison
| Drink | Calories | Sugar (g) | Carbs (g) | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bang | 0 | 0 | 0 | 300 |
| Red Bull | 110 | 27 | 27 | 80 |
| Monster | 140 | 54 | 40 | 160 |
| Rockstar | 280 | 62 | 65 | 300 |
Compared to other top sellers, Bang truly is the lowest calorie option, with 10-20x less sugar content. However, brands like Red Bull and Monster offer more variety in flavors and size options.
In terms of caffeine content, Bang is on the higher side, matched only by Rockstar at 300 mg per 16 oz can. Those sensitive to caffeine may prefer the lower 80 mg in Red Bull or 160 mg in Monster.
Overall, Bang is the clear winner if you want an energy boost from caffeine and amino acids without calories, carbs, or sugar. But it requires tolerance of artificial sweeteners and very high caffeine levels.
Verdict: Yes, Bang Truly Contains Zero or Negligible Calories
In conclusion, while its FDA-approved zero calorie label has drawn some controversy, the facts show that a 16 oz can of Bang only contains around 3-5 calories at most from its caffeine content.
For the average consumer, this small caloric contribution from caffeine can reasonably be considered zero calories, especially compared to traditional sugar-laden energy drinks. Bang also provides performance-boosting BCAAs, vitamins, and electrolytes in a calorie-free package.
Those avoiding artificial sweeteners may want to opt for a different low calorie energy drink. But for anyone watching their calorie and carb intake who needs a strong energy kick, Bang makes a compelling choice over other high-sugar options on the market.
Just be aware that individual reactions to the heavy caffeine dosage and sweeteners can vary. Overall though, Bang has delivered on its promise of creating a genuinely zero-calorie energy drink – a relatively unique offering in the marketplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the caffeine in Bang provide calories?
Yes, caffeine does contain calories – around 5 calories per 100mg of caffeine. At 300mg of caffeine per can, Bang would contain around 15 calories from just the caffeine. However, this is under the FDA limit of 5 calories per serving to be listed as 0 calories.
Do the vitamins and electrolytes in Bang contain calories?
No, vitamins and mineral supplements like those found in Bang contain a negligible amount of calories that can legally be listed as zero.
How does Bang have a sweet flavor without sugar?
Bang uses sucralose, an artificial sweetener around 600 times sweeter than sugar. This allows Bang to have a sweet taste without adding sugar or carbohydrates. Some disagree with their use of artificial sweeteners.
Can diabetics drink Bang safely?
Yes, Bang is safe for diabetics to drink in moderation as it contains zero sugar and does not impact blood glucose levels. But those sensitive to caffeine may need to be cautious.
Is Bang considered keto-friendly?
With zero carbs and no impact on blood sugar, Bang can fit into a ketogenic diet. However, some strict keto dieters avoid all artificial sweeteners including sucralose.
Are there any flavors of Bang with natural sweeteners?
Currently Bang does not offer any flavors sweetened 100% naturally, though some flavors use a blend of artificial and natural sweeteners.
