Are Energy Drinks Killing Your Gains? Let’s Talk Science
By: Marc Lobliner, IFBB Pro
A recent peer-reviewed study published in Scientific Reports (Nature, 2023) sent shockwaves through the fitness and performance world. Researchers found that several leading commercial energy drinks suppressed muscle cell growth and differentiation by over 90% in vitro. Yes, you read that right—over 90% suppression of muscle development in a controlled lab environment.
Let’s be clear: this was an in vitro (cell culture) study, not a clinical trial. That means it was conducted outside of the human body, in a petri dish, not in people. But that doesn’t mean we should ignore it. If anything, it’s a loud wake-up call.
Muscle regeneration and hypertrophy require more than just training and protein. Cellular energy, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and hormonal signaling all play a role. If your daily energy drink is potentially disrupting these processes, we have a real problem. Most people drink these for performance, recovery, or mental focus—but what if the very thing you’re relying on is sabotaging your results?
Most energy drinks are stim-heavy sugar bombs or artificial ingredient cocktails. They mask fatigue with caffeine and crash your system with synthetic additives. That’s not energy—that’s a nervous system hijack. And if those same ingredients are shown to inhibit muscle repair, it’s not just ineffective—it’s counterproductive. It’s time we start demanding more from our functional beverages.
This is where goBHB changes everything.
goBHB (beta-hydroxybutyrate) is a naturally occurring ketone body that your body can use for immediate energy. Unlike caffeine, it doesn’t work by stimulation. Unlike sugar, it doesn’t cause insulin spikes and crashes. It bypasses the need for glucose and fuels your body directly—clean, efficient, and powerful.
Here’s what makes goBHB a game-changer:
✅ Rapid energy production – Provides a fast, clean energy source without the jitters or crash of caffeine.
✅ Mental clarity and focus – Crosses the blood-brain barrier to enhance cognitive function and support sharp thinking.
✅ Preserves muscle mass – Supplies energy in a way that spares muscle protein, especially during fasted training or calorie restriction.
✅ Improves endurance – Delivers a steady fuel source that enhances aerobic performance and delays fatigue.
✅ Supports recovery – Reduces oxidative stress and inflammation post-training, which supports muscle repair and immune function.
✅ Appetite control – Can help blunt hunger and reduce cravings during dieting phases.
✅ Improves insulin sensitivity – May enhance metabolic health and glucose control, especially in insulin-resistant individuals.
✅ Elevates mood and reduces brain fog – Supports neurotransmitter balance and energy metabolism in the brain.
✅ No stimulant tolerance – Unlike caffeine, your body doesn’t adapt or build a tolerance to ketone bodies.
✅ Supports mitochondrial function – Fuels the powerhouse of the cell directly, which can support cellular longevity and energy efficiency.
Innovative drinks like Rev7 are pioneering this space. Instead of relying on caffeine and cheap fillers, Rev7 uses goBHB to deliver sustained energy that supports your performance without compromising your gains. This isn’t theory—this is biochemistry backed by cutting-edge research. And the best part? It works whether you’re keto, low-carb, or on a standard diet. goBHB is universally effective because it’s a fuel source, not a fad.
Let’s be honest: we’ve accepted energy drinks that give us the illusion of productivity, but they often leave us worse off than before. The future of energy isn’t built on stimulation—it’s built on metabolic enhancement.
If you care about building muscle, recovering faster, staying mentally sharp, and optimizing performance, you need to start asking: is your energy drink working with your body, or against it?
The future isn’t about hype. It’s about function. And goBHB is leading the way.