As a long-time participant in the natural product space, I maintain a healthy skepticism. Some would call me a “doubting Thomas.” Exaggerated product claims and supplement facts panel misrepresentations run rampant. Marketing executives at certain supplement companies even budget for FDA or FTC fines, anticipating lawsuits from some of the more popular brands in the space.
This article examines Bang Energy from Vital Pharmaceuticals (VPX), which achieved a meteoric rise to third place in the vast energy category. However, after losing a $293 million lawsuit brought by rival Monster Energy for false advertising and trade secrets, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2022. In July 2023, Monster Beverage acquired the bankrupt company for $362 million and announced that Coca-Cola and its bottlers would distribute Bang globally. Monster and Coke maintain a close relationship, with Coke owning a stake in the Monster brands.
Thanks to Coca-Cola’s marketing expertise and retail sales clout, we found the product in our local supermarket. We tested Bang in several different settings, and we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by our findings. Bang promises to “Fuel Your Destiny”! While we’re not prepared to validate that claim, we will provide our analysis of the nutritional facts, ingredients, taste, price/value, and performance.
Bang Energy Drink
Bang Energy is a carbonated beverage delivered in sixteen-ounce cans designed to enhance energy and performance. The product is widely available online and in stores. Given the recent ownership change, the BangEnergy.com website states, “Be Right Back.” An active Bang Energy Facebook page promises the product will fuel mind, body, and spirit. The container claims Bang has created an entirely new “performance energy” category, performance tested in 28 university studies.
Like most energy drinks, Bang’s Nutritional Facts Panel reveals little. Bang contains zero calories, fat, carbohydrates, sugars, or protein. The listed nutrients include Vitamin C, B6, Magnesium, Potassium, Niacin, and Vitamin B12. Other key formula ingredients are Caffeine anhydrous, Essential Amino Acids (EAAs), including the three BCAAs (Branched Chain Amino Acids), Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine, and COQ10. The EAAs and COQ10 appear prominently on the can.
Bang contains no fruit juice or added sugars, is gluten-free, and vegan-friendly; however, it includes artificial flavors and preservatives and uses Sucralose, an artificial sweetener and sugar substitute. Note: to ensure you get the gluten-free version, look for cans displaying EAAs versus previous versions showing BCAAs.
Earlier product iterations also included “Super Creatine” as an ingredient—a dipeptide of creatine and L-leucine. Creatine is a popular sports nutrition supplement and ergogenic aid that enhances exercise performance and muscle recovery. However, creatine isn’t stable in liquid form, and Bang exploited this as a marketing advantage over other energy drinks. This became a major point of contention in its legal battles, and the courts determined no creatine existed in the product. The product continues listing the patented Creatyl-L-leucine as an ingredient.
Bang is available on Amazon.com in numerous flavors such as Black Vanilla Cherry, Blue Razz, Candy Apple Crisp, Delish Strawberry Kiss, Peach Mango, Purple Haze, Rainbow Unicorn, Sour Heads, Star Blast, and Radical Skadattle, plus assorted variety packs. Twelve-pack prices range from $39.99 to $43.95, or roughly $3.50 per can. This represents a significant premium versus most category competitors like Amino Energy, C4, Celsius, and Ghost; however, several of those brands come in twelve-ounce cans.
More affordable pricing at other retailers follows. Note these prices align with competitive energy drink brands:
- Vitamin Shoppe – $32.99 / $2.75
- Target – $2.39 per can ($28.68 per 12-pack)
- Safeway – $2.79 per can ($33.48 per 12-pack)
Several retailers that typically carry Bang products don’t show listings, apparently due to recent ownership and distribution changes.
Bang Energy Drink Ingredients
Unlike dietary supplements, ready-to-drink sport beverages are FDA-regulated as food products. Consequently, we get a Nutrition Facts versus Supplement Facts label. This is unfortunate since Nutrition Facts reveal little when no calories or macronutrients are present. Dosage and percentage of Recommended Daily Values are listed for other nutrients like vitamins and minerals. In Bang, those vitamins (C, B6, Niacin, and B12) and minerals (Magnesium and Potassium) appear in relatively small dosages, well below Daily Values.
The ingredients list below the Nutrition Facts Panel details compounds in the product. Beyond knowing these ingredients are listed by descending volume, we cannot determine precise amounts of these components.
- 300 mg of Caffeine Anhydrous – A separate “Caution” panel warns of 300 milligrams of caffeine anhydrous in Bang Energy. Compared to other energy drinks like C4 Smart Energy (200 mg), Celsius (200 mg), or Monster (160 mg), that’s a substantial dose. Also, products like C4 Smart Energy use caffeine from natural sources versus the anhydrous in Bang. Some consider anhydrous (a processed, dehydrated caffeine form) more potent, while others contend naturally sourced is gentler on your body.
- Essential Amino Acids – Amino acids are frequently used in intra- and post-workout supplements to enhance performance, promote recovery, and build muscle. Your body requires twenty amino acids to function properly—nine of which are essential, meaning you must obtain them through diet or supplementation. All nine EAAs are included in Bang Energy, including the three most associated with sports performance: the BCAAs leucine, isoleucine, and valine.
- COQ10 – This is another popular dietary supplement ingredient. It’s a powerful antioxidant that aids cell growth and maintenance. Although COQ10 is printed boldly at the top of each Bang can, we must assume the amount in the product is negligible, as it’s listed third-to-last among compounds.
- Creatyl-L-Leucine – As indicated, this is a compound created and patented by VPX’s founder. The intent was providing bioavailable creatine in Bang to improve athletic performance. Unfortunately, clinical trials indicate this isn’t the case.
What to Expect from Bang Energy Drink
Regardless of the energy, focus, or endurance you derive from your energy drink, you won’t return if it doesn’t taste great. So let’s first address Bang Energy’s taste.
Taste
Taste is highly subjective, and Bang flavors seem appealing initially. I’ve tried Black Cherry Vanilla and Delish Strawberry Kiss, and both are solid (personal preference goes to Strawberry); however, as you work through a sixteen-ounce can, you may detect a slightly “tinny” aftertaste. It’s similar to Monster or Red Bull—not entirely unpleasant but less flavorful than some Bang competitors like C4 Smart Energy.
How Much Energy Can You Expect from Bang Energy Drink?
While products using natural caffeine sources provide gentle, clean energy boosts, Bang’s anhydrous delivers more pronounced, “in-your-face” energy. My caffeine tolerance runs high—I consume three to four cups of black coffee daily, and my pre-workout supplement contains the same 300 mg of caffeine anhydrous. I’ve used Bang before cardio and resistance training and felt more energy with Bang than my powdered supplement—quite a surprise.
Although I experienced no jitters, the energy came with mild ADHD-like effects as I immediately felt compelled to write—not necessarily bad, but I was testing the product as a pre-workout drink given its performance energy positioning. I was pleasantly surprised once I reached the gym and started lifting. The energy persisted; I remained focused and continued adding sets to my planned routine. There was no crash, even as I extended my workout. Without more established ergogenic aids like creatine monohydrate, beta-alanine, or arginine, I assume the caffeine and EAAs, including the three BCAAs, helped delay fatigue onset. I’m not easily impressed, and this workout was exceptional.
For the cardio workout, I consumed Bang about fifteen minutes before a lengthy (for me) bike ride. Despite windy conditions and hilly terrain, I finished in excellent time. At the ride’s start, I went out perhaps too aggressively, particularly on hills. Caffeine can do that. Surprisingly, I didn’t pay the price on the back end as I finished strong with no mental or physical crash.
Bang Energy Drink Benefits
VPX positions Bang as creator of an entirely new segment: the performance energy drink. As mentioned earlier, I maintain skepticism toward advertising claims, particularly from a company that lost a multi-million dollar false advertising lawsuit. I’m sure other brands would dispute the “creating” claim; however, Bang delivers a significant energy blast, and for this laboratory of one, it enhanced performance both in the gym and on the road. In all candor, I’m uncertain what I’d do with that much energy if not heading to a workout. Perhaps it would suit an assignment deadline or test preparation. Although focus isn’t a major Bang claim, I also noticed laser-sharp focus during workouts.
Perhaps there was some placebo effect, but I’d almost consider Bang instead of my normal pre-workout product, though the cost per serving would nearly double that of powder. I’d also miss several components I know are beneficial long-term, such as creatine monohydrate or HCI, betaine, beta-alanine, and a nitric oxide component for vasodilation.
Bang Energy Drink Competitors
How Bang compares to other energy/sports drink category brands largely depends on what you want in a beverage.
For hardcore intensity training, Hyde Extreme from Pro Supps may be a superior, albeit more expensive option at $3.60 per can. With 400 mg of caffeine anhydrous, the energy component is substantial. But intensity doesn’t stop there—the product also contains Theanine, N-Acetyl-Tyrosine, Teacrine, GABA, and Yohimbe. While Hyde lacks EAAs or BCAAs, it includes ergogenic components at appropriate dosages:
- Citrulline Malate at 6 grams
- Beta-Alanine at 3.2 grams
Another hardcore option is C4 Ultimate Energy, Non-Carbonated. With the same 300 mg of caffeine anhydrous as Bang, this C4 variety adds CarnoSyn, a patented beta-alanine, and Betaine Anhydrous as primary performance ingredients. Beta-alanine and betaine may better serve resistance training than the EAAs found in Bang.
Those seeking clean, plant-based energy might consider Reign Storm. Reign is among the cleanest RTDs available, with just ten calories and 200 mg of plant-based caffeine. No sugars, added preservatives, artificially sourced flavors or colors, or high fructose corn syrup. It’s cleaner than Bang but less potent. Another option for gentler energy with the same amino acid profile is Amino Energy from Optimum Nutrition. Amino Energy delivers milder energy with less caffeine—100 versus 300 milligrams—from natural sources versus anhydrous. Amino Energy also contains electrolytes for hydration, making it superior for intra-workouts or longer cardio sessions.
In Summary: Bang Energy Drink Review
The brand has had its day—and unfortunately, its day in court. False advertising is anathema to the natural products industry, so the brand’s fate was likely a long-term blessing. Monster and Coca-Cola will undoubtedly toe the line going forward and avoid future issues. That’s positive news since the product is excellent and delivers the energy and improved performance it promises. That said, I’m still unsure how it will “Fuel Your Destiny,” whatever that may mean.
