Reality television icon and business mogul Kim Kardashian, already renowned for her successful ventures in shapewear and personalised emojis, has now entered the competitive energy drink market with a novel product named Update. This new beverage distinguishes itself from mainstream brands like Red Bull and Monster by being entirely caffeine-free, instead utilising a chemical compound called paraxanthine.
What Makes Update Different?
The company promotes Update with the slogan "Energy, Uncompromised. Delivering intentional energy without the tradeoffs," highlighting its aim to provide stimulation without the common drawbacks associated with caffeine. Paraxanthine is a substance naturally produced by the body during the metabolism of caffeine. According to the brand, employing paraxanthine directly helps to "eliminate the crash, jitters and overstimulation" typically linked to conventional energy drinks.
Scientific Analysis of Ingredients
Following the product's launch, Professor Colin Davidson, a professor of neuropharmacology at the University of Lancashire, has conducted a detailed examination of Update's composition. He confirms that paraxanthine itself is considered safe, but raises concerns about another key component.
"The main uncertainty relates to sucralose," Professor Davidson explained in an article for The Conversation. "While widely approved for consumption, some research suggests that long-term intake could affect metabolic health, although the evidence remains mixed and the quantity here is unknown."
Research on Paraxanthine Versus Caffeine
Professor Davidson reviewed existing studies on paraxanthine, including both animal and human research. A notable long-term study on rats compared groups given either paraxanthine or caffeine over 90 days. The results were revealing.
"Those receiving caffeine showed several signs of overstimulation, including excessive grooming, increased activity and more frequent defecation," Professor Davidson noted. "Animals given paraxanthine behaved much more normally. It also appeared less likely to trigger anxiety-like behaviour in rats."
The same study indicated that rats administered caffeine exhibited increased cholesterol levels and reduced thyroid hormone levels, effects not observed in the paraxanthine group. Human studies suggest a similar pattern, with one finding that caffeine caused a greater rise in blood pressure than paraxanthine, and another showing enhanced cognitive test performance after paraxanthine intake.
Full Ingredient Breakdown
Update contains a blend of several compounds beyond paraxanthine. The complete list includes:
- Carbonated Filtered Water
- Citric Acid
- Natural Flavors
- Alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine (Alpha-GPC)
- Paraxanthine
- Sucralose
- Tartaric Acid
- L-Theanine
- Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)
Alpha-GPC is recognised for its potential to boost cognitive function and has been extensively studied for safety. L-theanine, an amino acid naturally present in tea, may help reduce overstimulation and promote calmness. However, sucralose remains the ingredient under scrutiny due to potential metabolic effects, such as insulin resistance observed in mice on high-fat diets, though Professor Davidson cautions that animal findings do not always directly apply to humans.
Expert Verdict and Future Outlook
Overall, Professor Davidson suggests that Update's caffeine-free approach could be beneficial. "Studies in animals and humans suggest paraxanthine may be less toxic than caffeine and capable of producing similar stimulant effects," he concluded. "However, the evidence base remains far smaller than the decades of research available for caffeine."
He emphasises that more research is necessary to determine whether paraxanthine-based energy drinks like Update offer a significant advantage over traditional caffeinated options. As Kim Kardashian expands her product portfolio into the wellness and energy sectors, consumer interest and scientific inquiry will likely continue to grow around this innovative beverage.
