Is Prime an energy drink?

The Bottom Line
Prime drinks, including Prime Energy and Prime Hydration, are increasingly popular among children, adolescents, and young adults. Both versions of Prime contain coconut water and electrolytes, and Prime Energy also contains 200 milligrams of caffeine per can. Because of its caffeine content, children, pregnant or lactating people, and those who are sensitive to the effects of caffeine should avoid consumption of Prime Energy.

What is the Prime drink?
Prime is a beverage brand launched in 2022 by KSI, a British boxer and YouTube star, and Logan Paul, an American professional wrestler and social media influencer. KSI and Logan Paul initially sparred in the boxing ring, but later became business partners and collaborated to develop Prime. Their initial beverage, Prime Hydration, was introduced in 2022, followed shortly thereafter by Prime Energy. Both KSI and Logan Paul have substantial social media accounts that encompass nearly 100 million followers. The influencers’ expansive social media outreach, along with the hard-to-find nature of many Prime products, helped promote Prime to near-cult status in 2022 and 2023. As of 2023, Prime is the official sports drink of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and the English professional football club, Arsenal.
What is the difference between Prime Energy and Prime Hydration?
Prime Energy, which contains caffeine, is sold in cans. Prime Hydration does not contain caffeine and is supplied in bottled and powder formulations. Both Prime Energy and Prime Hydration are available in various flavors, including Tropical Punch, Blue Raspberry, and Ice Pop. According to the drinks’ manufacturer, both Prime Hydration and Prime Energy are low in caloric content and are also vegan and gluten-free.
What are Prime Energy drink ingredients?
Prime Energy contains filtered water, coconut water, caffeine, flavoring agents, and electrolytes (including potassium, vitamin B12, and magnesium). Prime Energy also contains sucralose, an artificial sweetener that some studies have linked to DNA damage and a leaky gut. Because Prime Energy contains coconut water, people with tree nut allergies may wish to avoid consumption of this product.
Is Prime Energy drink bad for you?
Each can of Prime Energy contains 200 milligrams of caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant drug that can improve physical performance and increase endurance, but caffeine consumption can also cause undesirable side effects including nausea, shakiness, anxiety, and heart palpitations. The human body’s ability to break down caffeine does vary among individuals, so some people may be more likely than others to develop these side effects. When caffeine is taken in overdose, life-threatening heart rhythm abnormalities, seizures, and severe electrolyte abnormalities can occur. In general, most adults can safely consume 400 milligrams of caffeine daily without experiencing dangerous side effects, but a safe dose of caffeine has not been established for children. Caffeine consumption in children is linked to behavioral problems, mood disturbances, and poor sleep quality. Because of this, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children and teenagers avoid drinking energy drinks that contain caffeine or other stimulant drugs.
Is Prime Hydration good for kids?
Prime Hydration does not contain caffeine and is a safer alternative to Prime Energy for children. However, this does not mean that Prime Hydration is good for kids to consume. Prime Hydration contains citric acid, a preservative and flavoring agent that is a common ingredient in sports drinks. Due to its low pH, citric acid can promote tooth erosion. Additionally, while sport drinks such as Prime Hydration are often marketed as ways to prevent dehydration and replace sweat-related fluid losses after exercise, these drinks likely offer few benefits over plain drinking water for most individuals, including healthy children and adolescents.
Does Prime Hydration have caffeine?
Prime Hydration does not contain caffeine. In addition to filtered water and coconut water, Prime Hydration products contain vitamins A, B6, B12, and E, as well as potassium, calcium, and other electrolytes.
What should you do if a Prime drink makes you sick?
If someone develops unexplained or unexpected symptoms after drinking Prime, get guidance from Poison Control immediately. Help from Poison Control is available at www.poison.org and by phone at 1-800-222-1222. Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD
Medical Toxicologist
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Suggested page citation (APA):
Johnson-Arbor, K. (n.d.). Is Prime an energy drink?. Poison Control. https://www.poison.org/articles/is-prime-an-energy-drink
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
Prevention Tips
- Be aware of all the sources of caffeine in your diet, including coffee, tea, chocolate, and energy drinks.
- Talk to your doctor if you experience unexpected or prolonged side effects after consuming caffeinated products.
- Do not consume Prime Energy or other stimulant-containing drinks if you are under 18 years of age, pregnant, or lactating.
This Really Happened
In July 2023, the Government of Canada announced a recall of caffeinated energy drinks, including certain formulations of Celsius, Prime Energy, and 5-Hour Energy, after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency found that the products contained unacceptable levels of caffeine that exceed the country’s allowable caffeine limit of 180 milligrams per serving. As part of the recall, consumers were advised to avoid drinking, selling, or distributing the affected products. This recall followed United States Senator Charles Schumer’s request to have the Food and Drug Administration investigate Prime products (from Government of Canada and AP News).For More Information
Are sports drinks good or bad for you? A medical analyst explains (CNN)
What is Prime Energy, Logan Paul’s controversial energy drink? (CNN)
References
Prime. About Prime. Available at https://drinkprime.com/pages/about-prime. Accessed July 12, 2023.
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
Prevention Tips
- Be aware of all the sources of caffeine in your diet, including coffee, tea, chocolate, and energy drinks.
- Talk to your doctor if you experience unexpected or prolonged side effects after consuming caffeinated products.
- Do not consume Prime Energy or other stimulant-containing drinks if you are under 18 years of age, pregnant, or lactating.