Kim Kardashian Launches New Coffee Alternative Energy Drink Featuring Paraxanthine

Kim Kardashian has invested in UPDATE, a new energy drink that replaces caffeine with paraxanthine, a metabolite produced when the body breaks down caffeine. Paraxanthine is touted as the "next generation of energy," potentially offering alertness and concentration benefits with fewer side effects like jitters or increased heart rate. However, existing studies on paraxanthine are limited, often small-scale, short-term, and sometimes funded by the ingredient's manufacturers, leaving questions about its long-term safety and efficacy.

UPDATE's formula is relatively simple, including Alpha-GPC, a choline source linked to cognitive function improvements mainly in older or clinical populations; L-Theanine, an amino acid from green tea known to reduce stress and enhance focus; and active vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin), which benefits only those with deficiencies. The drink uses sucralose as a sweetener, considered safe by regulatory bodies but still under study for metabolic effects.

While paraxanthine may offer an alternative for those sensitive to caffeine's side effects, coffee remains unmatched due to its complex bioactive compounds like polyphenols, which have been associated with reduced risks of diabetes, liver and cardiovascular diseases, Parkinson's, and overall mortality. Green tea also provides a unique combination of caffeine and L-Theanine with proven cognitive and health benefits.

Clinical dietitian Michal Sokman from Maccabi Healthcare Services notes that UPDATE is an innovative energy drink with a biologically plausible mechanism and fewer exotic ingredients or sugars. However, marketing claims about better energy without crashes or sleep disruption lack independent, long-term research support. For occasional use, UPDATE might be an interesting option, but for daily consumption over years, coffee and green tea still hold a clear advantage backed by decades of research.