Ingredients / Amino acids & muscle

Creatine

Also listed as: creatine monohydrate, creatyl-L-leucine

What it is

A compound made in your body and found in red meat and fish. It helps muscle cells make quick bursts of energy.

Why it is in energy drinks

Marketed for strength and power in pre-workout drinks.

Worth knowing

Creatine monohydrate is one of the best-studied sports supplements, though studies use a few grams a day and a drink's label often does not say how much it contains. Creatyl-L-leucine is a newer creatine-leucine compound with far less independent research.

General information, not medical advice. We read what the label lists and don't test what an ingredient does.