Last weekend a good friend dropped into our Kill Cliff MMA Viewing Parlor (OK, our living room) and dropped a can of Bang Blue Razz on the table.
Of course our first reaction was to flinch as if we'd been hit with a roundhouse because we know what's in it. This is the one with "Super Creatine," Bang's own version of the stuff that helps with recovery after workouts. Bang doesn't say how much they put in the can, but it's way down the ingredients list, so there likely isn't enough that can hurt you.
Us Kill Cliff Aficionados examined the can like an artifact from another world, fearful that it might attack if we got too close.
We found it odd that we couldn't find a caffeine count on the can. However, we found a warning! "Not intended for individuals under the age of 18."
OK, we're not trying hard enough. Any product advertising to be a sugar-free energy drink that doesn't have the caffeine count on the can is hiding something, you think?
Let's look harder.
In the fine print. What's in this tiny box? Another warning!
This warning is a long one, reminding us about the under 18 thing again (we agree), and then telling us the side effects you are likely to have after consuming this 16oz can, and then, finally, the punchline:
"One serving of Bang provides 300mg of caffeine, which is more than two cups of coffee."
That's a lot of Bang for your buck. But is it worth risking these side effects?
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Frequent urination or inability to control urination
- Fast heartbeat
- Muscle tremors
Needless to say, after we read those warnings out loud, that can of Bang when down the drain, and not a DrinkHole.
A Better Option? You Had to Ask?
Kill Cliff's line of energy drinks, Ignite, provides 125mg of clean, all-natural caffeine in each 12oz can, and says so right on the label.
Kill Cliff's OTHER energy line, Energize x Recover, offers 25mg of clean caffeine plus electrolytes and B-vitamins to keep you going while you recover from exertion. And it says so on the label, not in a disclaimer.
Kill Cliff's OTHER OTHER line of energy drinks is the most fascinating: Octane provides 25mg of clean, all-natural caffeine PLUS 25mg of broad spectrum CBD. What direction you want to go in?
If You Take Creatine:
Kill Cliff products mix very well with raw creatine, especially Kill Cliff line of Energize x Recover beverages. Each of the five delicious flavors is packed with electrolytes and slow-releasing carbs for sustained endurance. They also boast 25mg of the cleanest, non-spiky, non-crashy caffeine available.
And NO sugar.
Try an ice-cold Kill Cliff Energize x Recover drink mixed with with 5 grams of creatine monohydrate. You won't lose any of the delicious Kill Cliff taste, but you'll get the great benefit of consuming creatine.
