Essential Amino Energy Tea Series is an amino acid product made by Optimum Nutrition.
It’s designed to improve energy, recovery and growth, as well as provide a fat-burning edge.
Optimum Nutrition is an American supplement company which was founded in 1986.
Ingredients Label
Active Ingredients
Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid that can reduce fatigue during workouts.
It’s also been shown to increase nutrient uptake into muscle cells (1).
Glutamine
Glutamine is an amino acid that is believed to improve muscle development.
However, alongside protein or amino acid supplementation, it hasn’t been shown to provide additional benefits (2).
Essential Amino Acids
Essential amino acids (EAAs) are amino acids that the human body needs, but can’t make on its own.
EAAs can significantly increase the rate of muscle repair and growth (3).
This formula doesn’t contain all of the EAAs, but includes the ones that are most relevant to muscle growth.
Citrulline and Arginine
Citrulline and arginine both increase nitric oxide levels.
This can improve blood flow, endurance, and recovery (4, 5).
Caffeine
Caffeine is well known for its stimulant effects, which increase energy levels and metabolic rate (6).
An effective dose is about 200mg.
Green Tea
Green tea contains fat-burning compounds called green tea catechins (7).
Around 500mg of extract are needed for boosting fat oxidation.
Green Coffee Extract
Green coffee beans are high in chlorogenic acid.
Studies show that this compound can enhance fat-loss by blocking glucose absorption (8).
Who Takes It?
Athletes wanting to improve their energy, growth and recovery may benefit from using Essential Amino Energy Tea Series.
How to Take
Mix 2 scoops (9g) with 250mL water, and consume as desired for an energy boost.
Side Effects
Beta alanine may cause a harmless tingling sensation in the face and skin.
Green coffee extract is known to have a mild laxative effect.
Pros
- Contains extra ingredients to improve performance and energy
- Available in a range of flavours
- Affordable price per serving.
Cons
- Doses hidden in proprietary blends
- Low doses of fat-burning ingredients.
Conclusion
Essential Amino Energy Tea Series appears to be a great fat-burning spin on the original Amino Energy formula, but falls very short of expectations.
The doses of all fat-burning ingredients (aside from caffeine) are near-negligible, and are unlikely to provide any benefits.
The doses of amino acids in the proprietary blend are also likely to be insufficient, with clinically effective doses of all ingredients unable to fit into the small 5g blend.
We would recommend looking for another supplement with better disclosed doses, especially if you are after the benefits of amino acids or fat-burning ingredients.