MAC Energy Drink

Common questions

Is MAC Energy Drink healthy?

MAC Energy Drink scores 50/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — a below-average score in Scout's analysis. MAC Energy Drink scores 50/100.

Does MAC Energy Drink contain seed oils?

No — Scout's ingredient analysis marks MAC Energy Drink as seed-oil free.

Has MAC Energy Drink been lab-tested?

Yes. MAC Energy Drink carries an independent laboratory panel from Light Labs (Ann Arbor MI), ISO 17025 accredited — ICP-MS/MS method LLMTDA1, modified from FDA EAM 4.7. Order #14080, released 7 August 2026; all four flavors tested individually (tests #121630-121633): Forbidden Green Apple, Macberry Lychee, Orange Creamsicle and Proper Punch. Limits shown are the Prop 65 MADLs; every analyte in every flavor was reported in-spec. covering 4 contaminants (including Lead, Cadmium, Mercury) — the full results are on this page.

How processed is MAC Energy Drink?

MAC Energy Drink is NOVA Group 4: Ultra-Processed Foods.

How does MAC Energy Drink compare to other energy drinks?

MAC Energy Drink ranks #12 of 23 energy drinks in Scout's independent rankings. The current top score in the category is Naked Sparkling Energy Drink at 95/100.

Which ingredients drive MAC Energy Drink's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, goBHB, Cognizin, Niacinamide count in its favor; Natural Flavors, Sucralose, Potassium Sorbate are flagged as ingredients of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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MAC Energy Drink

MAC Energy
Seed oil free Lab tested
50 Fair
$29.99 · $0.21 / fluid ounce
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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 6
Harmful ingredients 4
Category Energy Drinks
Summary

MAC Energy Drink scores 50/100. A zero-sugar, 10-calorie functional can built on an unusually interesting active stack — goBHB ketones (D-Beta-Hydroxybutyric acid) for non-stimulant energy, Cognizin citicoline for focus, and 200mg of PurCaf caffeine sourced from green coffee beans rather than synthetic caffeine anhydrous. The B-vitamins are all bioactive forms (methylcobalamin, pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, L-methylfolate) instead of the cheap cyanocobalamin most of the category uses. Independently lab tested by Light Labs: lead, cadmium and mercury all non-detect across every flavor, with arsenic at trace levels around 1-2% of the action limit. What keeps it out of the clean tier is the additive system — sucralose for sweetening plus a sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate preservative pair, the same architecture most mainstream energy drinks run.

Contaminants 4

Source: Light Labs (Ann Arbor MI), ISO 17025 accredited — ICP-MS/MS method LLMTDA1, modified from FDA EAM 4.7. Order #14080, released 7 August 2026; all four flavors tested individually (tests #121630-121633): Forbidden Green Apple, Macberry Lychee, Orange Creamsicle and Proper Punch. Limits shown are the Prop 65 MADLs; every analyte in every flavor was reported in-spec.

Lead
ND
Safe

Not detected — no measurable lead at a quantification limit of 0.47-0.48 ppb, in any of the four flavors. Lead has no established safe intake level, so a non-detect is the best available result.

Independent third-party testing (Light Labs, Ann Arbor MI, ICP-MS/MS method LLMTDA1 modified from FDA EAM 4.7, ISO 17025 accredited; 355 mL samples, order #14080 tests #121630-121633, released 2026-08-07): lead not detected in any flavor against a Prop 65 limit of 0.5 mcg/serving.

Cadmium
ND
Safe

Not detected — no measurable cadmium at a quantification limit of 0.03 ppb, in any of the four flavors.

Independent third-party testing (Light Labs, ICP-MS/MS, order #14080 tests #121630-121633, released 2026-08-07): cadmium not detected in any flavor against a Prop 65 limit of 4.1 mcg/serving.

Mercury
ND
Safe

Not detected — no measurable mercury at a quantification limit of 0.18 ppb, in any of the four flavors.

Independent third-party testing (Light Labs, ICP-MS/MS, order #14080 tests #121630-121633, released 2026-08-07): mercury not detected in any flavor against a Prop 65 limit of 0.3 mcg/serving.

Arsenic
<0.001 ppm
Safe

Detected at a trivial level — 0.12 to 0.19 mcg per serving, about 1-2% of the 10 mcg Prop 65 daily limit for inorganic arsenic. Measurable, but far below any threshold of concern.

Independent third-party testing (Light Labs, ICP-MS/MS, order #14080, released 2026-08-07). Per flavor: Forbidden Green Apple 0.35 ppb (test #121630), Macberry Lychee 0.52 ppb (#121631), Orange Creamsicle 0.35 ppb (#121632), Proper Punch 0.37 ppb (#121633) — all against a Prop 65 limit of 10 mcg/serving, roughly 1.2-1.9% of it. Reported in-spec by the lab in every flavor.

Key ingredients 13

goBHB
Good

D-Beta-Hydroxybutyric acid, an exogenous ketone body. Provides an energy substrate the brain and muscle can use directly without stimulants, and is the ingredient behind the product's 'clean energy from ketones' positioning. A genuine functional active rather than label decoration.

See more about goBHB →
Cognizin
Good

Citicoline sodium, a well-studied nootropic that supports acetylcholine synthesis and membrane phospholipids. Cognizin is the branded, clinically-dosed form, so the amount is disclosed rather than buried in a proprietary blend.

See more about Cognizin →
Niacinamide
Good

The amide form of vitamin B3, supporting cellular energy metabolism through NAD+. Better tolerated than nicotinic acid because it does not cause the niacin flush.

See more about Niacinamide →
Pyridoxal-5'-Phosphate
Good

The bioactive coenzyme form of vitamin B6, usable without hepatic conversion. A deliberately higher-quality choice than the pyridoxine HCl most energy drinks use.

See more about Pyridoxal-5'-Phosphate →
Methylcobalamin
Good

The bioactive form of vitamin B12, more readily retained than the synthetic cyanocobalamin found in most of this category. Supports nerve function and red blood cell formation.

See more about Methylcobalamin →
L-Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium
Good

The bioactive form of folate, bypassing the MTHFR conversion step that limits folic acid uptake in a meaningful share of the population. A premium choice over synthetic folic acid.

See more about L-Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium →
Carbonated Water
Neutral

Plain water with dissolved carbon dioxide. Carbonation has no meaningful effect on the nutritional profile of the drink.

See more about Carbonated Water →
Citric Acid
Neutral

A common acidulant used for tartness and pH control. Typically produced by fermentation; no meaningful health concern at beverage levels.

See more about Citric Acid →
PurCaf
Neutral

Caffeine extracted from green coffee beans — a natural source rather than synthetic caffeine anhydrous. At 200mg per can this is a substantial but standard dose for the category. Natural caffeine sources are not penalized.

See more about PurCaf →
Natural Flavors
Bad

An undefined catch-all permitting dozens of undisclosed compounds, including carriers and solvents that never appear on the label. Near-universal in this category, but it is still a transparency gap.

See more about Natural Flavors →
Sucralose
Bad

A chlorinated artificial sweetener. Emerging evidence links it to gut microbiome disruption, and it is the single ingredient keeping this formula out of the clean, stevia-and-monk-fruit tier.

See more about Sucralose →
Potassium Sorbate
Bad

A synthetic preservative that inhibits mould and yeast. Generally well tolerated, but part of the standard dual chemical preservative system this drink shares with most mainstream energy drinks.

See more about Potassium Sorbate →
Sodium Benzoate
Bad

A synthetic preservative that can form trace benzene when combined with ascorbic acid, though no vitamin C is present in this formula. Paired here with potassium sorbate as the preservative system.

See more about Sodium Benzoate →

Processing

Group 4 · Ultra-processed

Ultra-Processed Foods

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