5-hour Energy claims to contain 200mg of caffeine, which means for a boost of energy, it should work at least as well as a cup of coffee, which contains slightly less caffeine. There's little research that suggests the energy shot's other ingredients, which include niacin, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin b12, would provide a noticeable energy boost. 5-hour Energy's claims have also been the target of lawsuits from consumers, as well as attorney general offices from multiple states for deceptive advertising.
5-hour Energy has also been linked with serious health hazards, including at least 13 deaths. According to the report, 5-hour Energy " has been mentioned in some 90 filings with the F.D.A., including more than 30 that involved serious or life-threatening injuries like heart attacks, convulsions and, in one case, a spontaneous abortion" between 2009 and 2012. Additionally, "the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, reported late last year that more than 13,000 emergency room visits in 2009 were associated with energy drinks alone."