ABE Performance Energy Drink

Applied Nutrition's ABE Performance Energy Drink takes the brand's flagship pre-workout powder, ABE (All Black Everything), and puts it in a can. If you've spent any time in a UK gym or scrolled past ABE's tubs at Walmart or The Vitamin Shoppe, you know the brand. This is the same core stack, minus the powder mess, plus carbonation.

An Energy Drink That's More Like a Pre-Workout

What makes this one worth a closer look isn't just the format change. Applied Nutrition didn't water down the formula to make it drinkable. This can carries real pre-workout doses of citrulline malate and beta-alanine alongside a 200mg caffeine hit, all at zero sugar and zero calories. That's a different proposition than most "energy drinks with a little citrulline sprinkled in." This is instead closer to a pre-workout in a can, hitting the sports nutrition segment that Applied Nutrition is so capable in.

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ABE Performance Energy Drink Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 0
• Total Fat: 0g
• Sodium: 0g
• Total Carbohydrate: 1g
• Total Sugars: 0g
• Added Sugars: 0g
• Protein: 0g
• Niacin (Vitamin B3): 32mg (200% DV)
• Vitamin B12: 10mcg (416% DV)

ABE Performance Energy Drink Ingredients

Each 12oz can provides the following key actives:

• L-Citrulline (as Citrulline Malate) - 2000mg

  

  L-Citrulline is the ingredient doing most of the heavy lifting here, and at 2000mg it's dosed in line with what's actually been studied for performance. The mechanism is straightforward: citrulline gets converted to arginine in your kidneys far more efficiently than eating arginine directly, since arginine gets chewed up by your liver before it ever reaches circulation.^[1] That arginine then feeds nitric oxide production, which is what drives the vascular "pump" feeling lifters chase.

  The performance data leans toward strength and power work specifically. A meta-analysis found that 6-8g of citrulline malate taken 40-60 minutes before training increased total reps to failure by about 6.4%, with a stronger trend for lower-body exercises.^[2] Separately, citrulline has shown a consistent benefit for reducing next-day muscle soreness and perceived effort during training.^[3] The aerobic endurance evidence is weaker and more mixed, so don't expect this to be a distance-running enhancer.^[4]

• Beta-Alanine - 2000mg

  Beta-Alanine is the ingredient responsible for that tingling, prickly skin sensation you might feel about 15 minutes after cracking this can. It's not dangerous, it's paresthesia, and it happens because beta-alanine raises muscle carnosine levels, which buffer the acid buildup that makes your muscles feel like they're burning during hard training.^[5]

  The 2000mg here sits below the full 3.2-6.4g daily range most studies use, but it's still a functional dose within a multi-ingredient stack. A large meta-analysis found beta-alanine's biggest benefit shows up in efforts lasting 0.5 to 10 minutes, exactly the window most resistance training sets fall into.^[6] Studies also show it can meaningfully boost isometric endurance and reduce fatigue during repeated high-intensity efforts.^[7] The tingles are well documented and harmless, just don't be surprised by them.^[8]

• Betaine Anhydrous - 1000mg

  

  Betaine (also called trimethylglycine) is a lesser-known player in pre-workout formulas, but it's earned its spot through a specific and fairly consistent finding: lower-body strength support. A 2024 meta-analysis found betaine supplementation significantly improved maximal strength, with the effect driven almost entirely by lower-body lifts rather than upper-body ones.^[9]

  Betaine works two ways: as an osmolyte that helps cells hold onto fluid under stress, and as a methyl donor that feeds into pathways tied to endogenous creatine production.^[10] Human trials have also linked it to modest reductions in body fat percentage when paired with resistance training, though that effect seems to depend on actually lifting weights rather than working as a standalone fat-loss tool.^[11] At 1000mg, ABE's dose sits below the 2.5g typically used in strength studies, so treat this as a supporting player in the stack rather than the headline act.

• Caffeine (as Caffeine Anhydrous) - 200mg

  Caffeine is the most reliable ergogenic ingredient in sports nutrition, and 200mg puts this can right in the sweet spot researchers consistently point to. It works by blocking adenosine receptors in your brain, the same receptors responsible for that "running out of gas" feeling, which frees up dopamine and norepinephrine to keep you alert and driven.^[12]

  The ISSN's position stand on caffeine and exercise backs doses of 3-6mg/kg (about 200-400mg for most adults) for improving endurance, sprinting, jumping, and overall training output.^[13] Strength and power benefits are smaller but real, especially for upper-body lifts in trained athletes.^[14] Caffeine also reliably boosts vigilance and reaction time, especially during long, monotonous tasks, which matters as much for a demanding workday as it does for a workout.^[12]

• L-Theanine - 200mg

  

  L-Theanine is paired here with caffeine at a 1:1 ratio, which happens to be one of the most studied combinations in the cognitive performance literature. Theanine works by dialing down glutamate activity and boosting GABA, producing a calm-but-alert mental state without sedation.^[15]

  On its own, theanine's cognitive effects in healthy adults are inconsistent. But combined with caffeine, the picture changes. A crossover trial found that caffeine plus theanine improved reaction time, working memory speed, and alertness in ways that neither ingredient replicated alone, while theanine alone actually slowed some tasks down.^[16] A separate meta-analysis of 11 RCTs found the pairing produced moderate improvements in alertness and attentional switching in the first two hours after dosing.^[17] This is the ingredient that's supposed to keep ABE's caffeine hit from feeling jittery.

• Taurine - 200mg

  Taurine shows up in nearly every energy drink on the market, and its evidence base is broader than most people realize, if also more scattered. A large meta-analysis of acute single-dose taurine found a small-to-moderate overall performance benefit, most reliable in aerobic endurance, strength and power, and agility tasks.^[18]

  What's notable is how taurine performs alongside caffeine specifically. A separate meta-analysis found the caffeine-taurine combination consistently outranked either ingredient alone for anaerobic capacity and reaction time.^[19] At 200mg, ABE's dose sits on the lower end of what's typically studied (1-6g), so think of it here as a complementary piece of the stimulant stack rather than a standalone performance driver.

• Choline Bitartrate (as VitaCholine) - 200mg

  

  Choline is the raw material your brain uses to make acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter behind memory, focus, and neuromuscular signaling.^[20] Applied Nutrition uses the branded VitaCholine form here, delivering roughly 82mg of actual choline from the 200mg of choline bitartrate.

  The most directly relevant human study used 2g of choline bitartrate (about 800mg choline) and found it improved visuomotor accuracy, with pupil-response data confirming the choline was acting on the brain's focus-related signaling.^[21] That's a meaningfully higher dose than what's in this can. Evidence for choline reversing the choline depletion seen in endurance athletes is weaker: several controlled trials found supplementation raised plasma choline without translating into better performance.^[22] At 200mg, this inclusion is more of a nod to the "smooth focus" positioning than a clinically dosed nootropic addition.

• Vitamins and Minerals

  • Vitamin B12 (as Cyanocobalamin) - 10mcg (416% DV)

    Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell formation and nerve function, and this can delivers over four times the daily value. Research on B12 as a standalone energy or performance booster in people who aren't deficient is thin. Injectable cyanocobalamin failed to improve VO2max or strength in non-anemic subjects in one classic trial.^[23] The 416% DV here is more of a nutritional insurance policy than a functional performance ingredient.

  • Niacin (as Niacinamide) - 32mg (200% DV)

    Niacin is included here as niacinamide, the form that skips the flushing sensation associated with nicotinic acid.^[24] At 200% DV, it's a standard B-vitamin inclusion rather than a therapeutic dose. Niacin's role in energy metabolism comes from its conversion to NAD+, a cofactor central to how your cells generate usable energy.^[25] This amount is well within general nutritional support territory, not the multi-gram range studied for cardiovascular effects.

• Other Ingredients

  

  • Carbonated Water - The base of the drink, providing the fizz and mouthfeel that separates this from a powdered pre-workout mixed at the gym sink.
  • Citric Acid - A common acidulant that adjusts pH and adds tartness, helping balance the sweetness and flavor profile.
  • Sucralose - A zero-calorie sweetener responsible for the drink's sweetness without contributing sugar or calories.
  • Potassium Sorbate - A preservative used to prevent mold and yeast growth in the canned beverage, extending shelf stability.
  • Natural Flavoring - Provides the taste profile for each specific flavor variant without affecting the nutritional panel.

Flavors Available

• Baddy Berry (12 Cans: $29.99)
• Blue Lagoon (12 Cans: $29.99)
• Chiquita Fruit Blend (12 Cans: $29.99)
• Chiquita Pineapple Strawberry (12 Cans: $29.99)
• Fruit Candy (12 Cans: $29.99)
• Grape Soda (12 Cans: $29.99)
• ICEE Blue Raspberry (12 Cans: $29.99)
• ICEE Cherry (12 Cans: $29.99)
• ICEE Cola (12 Cans: $29.99)
• Millions Cherry Slushie (12 Cans: $29.99)
• Tang Orange (12 Cans: $29.99)
• Tang Orange Strawberry (12 Cans: $29.99)

Who It's For

• Gym-goers who want a pre-workout without the powder: If you already like citrulline-and-beta-alanine style pre-workouts but hate scooping powder into a shaker, this can delivers a real dose of both without the mess.
• Caffeine-sensitive lifters who still want a kick: The theanine and taurine pairing alongside 200mg caffeine is built to soften the crash and jitters some people get from stimulant-only cans.

Bringing the Pre-Workout Tub to the Cooler Aisle

ABE Performance Energy Drink backs its pre-workout positioning with real doses of citrulline malate and beta-alanine, and caffeine landed right where the research says it should sit. If you want a canned pre-workout that doesn't cut corners on the actives that matter, this is one of the more credible options on shelf.

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References

1. Schwedhelm, Edzard, et al. "Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of oral L-citrulline and L-arginine: impact on nitric oxide metabolism." British journal of clinical pharmacology, 2008. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2007.02990.x
2. Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad, et al. "Acute Effect of Citrulline Malate on Repetition Performance During Strength Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2020-0295
3. Rhim, Hye Chang, et al. "Effect of citrulline on post-exercise rating of perceived exertion, muscle soreness, and blood lactate levels: A systematic review and meta-analysis." Journal of sport and health science, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2020.02.003
4. Viribay, Aitor, et al. "Effects of Citrulline Supplementation on Different Aerobic Exercise Performance Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Nutrients, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14173479
5. Trexler, Eric T, et al. "International society of sports nutrition position stand: Beta-Alanine." Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-015-0090-y
6. Saunders, Bryan, et al. "β-alanine supplementation to improve exercise capacity and performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis." British journal of sports medicine, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-096396
7. Sale, Craig, et al. "β-alanine supplementation improves isometric endurance of the knee extensor muscles." Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-9-26
8. Dolan, Eimear, et al. "A Systematic Risk Assessment and Meta-Analysis on the Use of Oral β-Alanine Supplementation." Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 2019. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmy115
9. Zawieja, Emilia, et al. "Effects of chronic betaine supplementation on exercise performance: Systematic review and meta-analysis." Journal of sports sciences, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2024.2423578
10. Craig, Stuart A S. "Betaine in human nutrition." The American journal of clinical nutrition, 2004. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/80.3.539
11. Gao, Xiang, et al. "Effect of Betaine on Reducing Body Fat-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials." Nutrients, 2019. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11102480
12. McLellan, Tom M. et al. "A Review Of Caffeine S Effects On Cognitive Physical And Occupational Performance." Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.09.001
13. Guest, Nanci S. et al. "International Society Of Sports Nutrition Position Stand Caffeine And Exercise Performance." Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-020-00383-4
14. Grgic, Jozo, et al. "Effects Of Caffeine Intake On Muscle Strength And Power A Systematic Review And Meta Analysis." Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-018-0216-0
15. Lopes, Sakamoto Filipe, et al. "Psychotropic Effects Of L Theanine And Its Clinical Properties From The Management Of Anxiety And Stress To A Potential Use In Schizophrenia." Pharmacological research, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104395
16. Haskell, Crystal F, et al. "The Effects Of L Theanine Caffeine And Their Combination On Cognition And Mood." Biological psychology, 2008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2007.09.008
17. Camfield, David A, et al. "Acute effects of tea constituents L-theanine, caffeine, and epigallocatechin gallate on cognitive function and mood: a systematic review and meta-analysis." Nutrition reviews, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1111/nure.12120
18. Deng, Hengzhi, et al. "Does One Shot Work? The Acute Impact of a Single Taurine Dose on Exercise Performance: A Meta-Analytic Review." Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.70123
19. Deng, Hengzhi, et al. "Caffeine and taurine: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of their individual and combined effects on physical capacity, cognitive function, and physiological markers." Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2025.2566371
20. Blusztajn, Jan K. et al. "Choline And Cholinergic Neurons." Science, 1983. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.6867732
21. Naber, Marnix, et al. "Improved Human Visuomotor Performance And Pupil Constriction After Choline Supplementation In A Placebo Controlled Double Blind Study." Scientific reports, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep13188
22. Spector, S A, et al. "Effect Of Choline Supplementation On Fatigue In Trained Cyclists." Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 1995. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7674870/
23. Tin, May-Than, et al. "The effect of vitamin B12 on physical performance capacity." British Journal of Nutrition, 1978. https://doi.org/10.1079/bjn19780122
24. Gasperi, Valeria, et al. "Niacin In The Central Nervous System An Update Of Biological Aspects And Clinical Applications." International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2019. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20040974
25. Cantó, Carles, et al. "Nad Metabolism And The Control Of Energy Homeostasis A Balancing Act Between Mitochondria And The Nucleus." Cell Metabolism, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2015.05.023