It was an intense, energy-packed test, but it was fun, and I have finally finished my FRS Healthy Energy reviews. It sure took a lot of time (and money) to get everything tested in a variety of situations, but I have finished, and all my reviews are posted.
Here are all the individual reviews if you need to get caught up:
Now I will share my final opinions and findings…
Table of Contents
FRS… does it taste good?
I wasn’t necessarily surprised that FRS tasted pretty good, but I was surprised with the texture. Overall, FRS has more of a fruit juice taste and texture, unlike most all energy drinks. It still packed a punch, but FRS could be considered an “energy juice.”
As I mentioned in the FRS liquid concentrate review, it tastes just like orange juice. It’s exactly like if you mix up some frozen orange juice concentrate. It’s a great drink to have when you get out of bed in the morning, especially if you like orange juice.
Also very much like juice were the FRS energy drink cans. This is the weird one, because the last thing you expect from a can is juice. But once I got over the weirdness of shaking a can without worry of the carbonation, I realized the canned drinks taste great. Well, at least some of them do. The all natural lemon lime was great, and the low cal wild berry was good. The orange and low cal peach mango were alright, but the one to avoid is the low cal orange.
Overall though, the cans provide the best taste and texture.
However, would you drink juice while riding? Or even right before a ride? I wouldn’t. That’s why I’m actually happy about the powdered drink mix and its thin texture. Since you mix it in water, it has a thin, water-like consistency that reminds me of basic sports drinks like Gatorade.
The powder doesn’t mix perfectly, but it mixes pretty well, even in cold water. Of course there is still powder floating around and it looks a bit chalky, but it’s easy to drink. I have no problem chugging a glass of it before I head out the door.
Even cooler for use during a workout would be the FRS health chews. These little “chews” look like Starburst candy and taste similar, although they are even closer to Airheads (the taste and texture is exactly like Airheads bars!) The flavors match the rest of the FRS line, so they’re pretty good in their own right.
So in the end, I was happy with the taste of almost all the FRS products.
FRS… what about the energy boost?
Yes indeed, I can confirm there was a very nice energy boost.
First, let me emphasize (once again) that drinking FRS does not give you superhuman strength. And it probably won’t give you enough energy to perform an extra set of sprint intervals.
Sure, it will give you the energy to workout a little harder and a little longer. But the real benefit is the all day energy. Normally if I do a long, hard workout under the hot sun, I’m forced to spend the rest of the day on the couch. Not so with FRS. Because even if my muscles are exhausted, FRS still gives my mind that much-needed energy.
When I use FRS, I can perform a hard workout, rest for a few minutes, and then (like magic) I still have energy to get through the day. That is what impressed me the most and is the #1 reason I’d recommend this.
But to get the energy, you have to choose the right FRS product for you…
I think the liquid concentrate is a good idea in the mornings, not only because it tastes like orange juice, but because it provides a light energy boost that lasts all day. I didn’t notice an energy rush, but after using it, I never got tired during the day. (Especially if I had a couple energy chews later on during a workout.)
Drinking FRS from a can would probably be best for a time during the day when you need a boost. A can will provide plenty of energy and it’s pleasant to drink. I’d avoid it during a workout, but it would work as a post-ride beverage.
Before or during a workout, I would go with the powder. The energy boost is great, and I also think it provides more of a psychological boost because it tastes more like a typical energy drink. Plus you can easily mix it in a water bottle.
If you need another boost, go with the energy chews. They give you a quick boost – there must be a lot of energy concentrated in that little square! If you have an FRS drink before a workout and then two of these during it, you’ll be bouncing off the walls!
Really? It’s good for energy? What about recovery?
No kidding here, it was a serious energy boost, all day long.
The one thing to remember is that I’ve only used this stuff for about a month. If I keep using it every day, who knows if it will give me the same energy boost in a couple years.
In my experience, any energy drink will feel the most powerful the first two times you use it. It happened with FRS, but the subsequent uses still provided me with lots of energy. (So I think I’ll be happy for years.)
As you get used to FRS, and if it were to lose its appeal, take a little break, and come back to it. Who knows, you might miss it after just a day! I like to switch it up every once in a while anyway. Look at it this way – If I didn’t try a variety of these energy drinks, I never would have found FRS!
As for recovery benefits, I’d agree it aids recovery, too. For light to moderate workouts when I have FRS during the day, I’ll feel great the next day. If I have a super hard day, multiple hard days in a row, and/or lots of stress, I’ll end up pretty sore still. But a day of rest and more FRS usually has me back on track.
FRS… is it actually healthy?
I was getting energy and other benefits, for sure. But is it worth going with FRS for the energy if it’s not healthy?
Luckily I don’t have to choose, because the all natural FRS offers the best of both worlds. FRS is packed with quercetin, catechins, green tea extract, fruit juice, B vitamins, minerals, and other goodies.
One minor drawback is that FRS contains caffeine. It doesn’t contain much (usually equivalent to 1/3 cup coffee,) but I know some people who can’t have caffeine at all, so they’ll miss out on FRS. The added caffeine is there as a metabolic enhancer to aid in absorption of the other key nutrients in FRS, which sounds like a good reason, but something I might research some more.
(I thought with all the green tea already in there, why do they need the extra caffeine added in?)
But the one thing that does concern me is the use of the artificial sweetener sucralose. I try to avoid any artificial sweeteners, as they are chemicals and not sugars, so I prefer the all natural FRS formulas over the low-calorie ones. Although I’m in the small percentage of the population that will take the sugar and extra calories with joy!
My final plan for FRS is…
If you are looking for something to drink every day to improve your health and provide all-day energy, start your day with a glass of FRS orange concentrate. It gives you a subtle but long-lasting energy boost and it tastes like orange juice. That’s what I’ll be doing each day.
If you want a big energy boost from something that tastes like an energy drink, go with the FRS powder (I’d go with lemon-lime.) While the FRS concentrate and cans taste more like juice, the powder will make a drink that still tastes good but doesn’t have that thick consistency like juice.
Want to avoid mixing anything? Get FRS straight out of the cans – the FRS cans offer good taste without the hassle, and they are available in a wider array of flavors.
Want to skip the juice altogether? Try the FRS energy chews, which are like little pieces of ‘energy candy’ that work great to fuel your bike rides, runs, and other workouts.
My own personal plan to get the most energy on a budget is this: drink a glass of liquid concentrate each morning, which gets me all day energy for $1.25 per serving. That way I avoid artificial sweeteners and don’t spend too much.
Hopefully my reviews have helped you figure this out, but even better, you could try everything for yourself if you sign-up for the FRS free trial:
FRS link: www.FRS.com
Levi Bloom is an experienced endurance athlete who has been training and competing for over 17 years. A former Cat 1 road and mountain bike racer (professional class on the regional circuit), he is now a cycling coach (USA Cycling Level 3 Certified) and sports nutrition coach (Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified).
I just want to order the FRS powder concentrate and pay for it outright. I am not interested in signing up for the free samples as I understand that I THEN would have to decline the monthly charges that would so kindly be assessed to my account. I’ve been burned before by this type of set-up and would REALLY just like to order a box of the powder to try. Can somebody help me out? Please do! Thanks, Judith
@Judith
Try the FRS store, Amazon.com, or to be ultra-safe you could go to the local GNC and pay cash.
-> https://coachlevi.com/nutrition/where-to-buy-frs-energy-drink/
Hello,
I’ve been using FRS for about three weeks and I’ve found that it helps me and gives me Lot’s of sustained energy in my Five mile run everyday. I absolutely love this product!!
Dan.
That’s awesome Dan!
I really enjoyed reading your review of FRS. It has encouraged me to try the free trial. I really appreciate how detailed your findings were, down to which flavors are the best. Your input has also helped me to determine what products I will choose after my free trial. Thanks again Coach!
@Robin
Thanks. I hope it works just as well for you!
I just finished up three weeks of intense training and thought I might spend the day on the couch. But I had some FRS when I crawled out of bed and feel great now! Sure, my leg muscles are still sore, but I feel like I have all the energy in the world!
Thanks Levi for your evaluation!. I have been using FRS for a couple years and agree with you 100%. Although I don’t mind the texture of the concentrate. I just take a big swig of water after. I don’t just use it for hike, workouts or rides, I use it daily for work too. No midday crash! This is by far the best product I have ever tried and have not found it to be less effective after repeated use. Looking forward any info you get about the caffeine. Thanks again Dave (flhiker)
@Dave
Sounds good, now I can look forward to years of effective FRS energy!
I did write a little bit about caffeine in FRS, and it is a pretty low amount, similar to green tea. (Much less than a cup of coffee.) I have also seen traditional medicines (like Tylenol) use similar amounts of caffeine in their pills to aid your body’s absorption of the main ingredients, so I don’t see anything wrong with the concept.
great review Thanks!
can frs be bought in stores? if so which ones? if not ehy not?
@Charlie
Just look through the comments above yours…
I’m not an athlete but a 45-year old mom with 2 kids, going to school and holding down a job. Before drinking FRS, I had a tendency to crash at 4pm and needed to lie down. I’ve now been drinking FRS for about 2 months and feel more energetic and younger! I have also have given up coffee completely and don’t miss it at all. I have the orange concentrate in the morning. This product is great! I would highly recommend it!
Do you work for FRS?
@darrin
No. FRS wouldn’t even send me free product samples to review!
But when I find a product I like, I write that I like it. When I find a product I don’t like, I write that I don’t like it. It’s simple.
Don’t do the Free Trial! They keep sending you $60 boxes of of this stuff.
Levi,
Good analysis of a really good product! FRS is growing and can be found in retailers in your area. Emerald City Smoothie sells this product and we get a terrific response from our customers. I personally love this stuff, keeps me chugging after intense workouts.
I’ve been with them for a couple of years but in ths last 3 months their customer service is terrible. I was told my card was expired 3 seperate times after updating it the first time. I received a shipment but after that they told me the same thing and didn’t ship any product. They then refused to ship an order I placed while the 50% off was on because the time had lapsed because of my card which had been updated. I can get quercetin in a supplement form I don’t need this hassle
@Jim
Yeah, definitely not a model company when it comes to customer service.
Also, my latest order during the 50% off sale hasn’t even shipped yet. So I guess they’re really behind in fulfillment too.
I refused delivery because the company hired a lab to make tests on aminals in a very bad lab.
it also tastes funny and I will drink almost any energy beverage.
Is this product good for children 13 ?
@Jacob
I haven’t seen any warnings that this wouldn’t be good for children under 13, and it doesn’t have the “do not consume more than 3 cans per day” warning that most energy drinks have.
In the all-natural version, there’s nothing that would scare me about giving this to a kid. (I wouldn’t want anyone to drink the low calorie version with sucralose, but most people do prefer that one.)
Of course, I’m not a doctor.
Hi Levi,
I used to run 25 miles a week until I was diagnosed with EBV Epstein Barr. I have debilitating fatigue. I have been thinking about trying FRS for a while and will be starting. I can tell you that I will no for sure if it works!
After doing a review of some of the key ingredients, I found that quercetin is considered safe up to 1000mg/day. Beyond that, it may increase risk of damage to the kidneys. The servings of the concentrate, powder, and chews all have 250mg each. The cans have 325mg each. Just a precaution to anyone using more than 3 servings per day of any one or combination of these. Also, it is recommended that these not be taken within 14 days of any surgeries as they may increase the risks of bleeding which is typical of vitamin E and other supplements.
Ordered the products from iherb.com
I’m 56 and it does work, but the taste is disgusting. Won’t order any more unless the use a natural sweetener. COME ON! Sugar is only 8 calories a teaspoon.
@Bruce
Sounds like you bought a low calorie one. As mentioned, I highly suggest the all natural FRS drinks which use natural cane sugar.
Dear Levi,
I’m a relatively fit 40 year old with Type 2 Diabetes.
What is your advice on this product for someone with Type 2 Diabetes? Part of my therapy includes frequent workouts and obviously this wears my body out quite a bit so this product sounds great but I try to avoid juices as that spikes my sugar levels.
@July
I can’t say too much since I’m not a doctor, but one thing you could probably take would be a B12 or B-complex vitamin each day. That would eliminate the sugar issue but still yield extra energy.
I suggest getting antioxidants from your diet (via an assortment of fruits and veggies,) but there are antioxidant pills out there too.
Great review – you really know how to cover all the bases. I’m wondering if you have ever tried XTEND by Scivation? If so, how do you find the it compares to FRS?
I have been drinking a 16oz can of Low Cal rockstar daily to get my mind and body functioning at a good rate. I don’t do much in the way of a workout (need to get back into that habit), but I work my brain very hard every day.
I have been looking for a RockStar replacement for a while and have just stumbled across this review. I was wondering if you have ever tested the rockstar brands and what pluses you might see for someone to switch to FRS under your basic outline above? (glass of concentrate in the AM and chews as needed)
Thank you in advance for your help
@William
I don’t remember ever having a Rockstar, but I’ve had similar drinks like Monster.
If you’re doing a daily energy drink, I’d recommend FRS or something on the healthier end of the drinks because you’re getting (typically) less sugar and fewer crazy artificial ingredients (that necessitate the “do not consume more than 4 cans per day” warning.)
To me, it’s really about getting the energy boost while ingesting as few artificial ingredients as possible.
Wow! So glad I found your web site! I was looking for a way to buy FRS retail since my next order doesn’t ship by the time I’ll need it. I tried FRS out of desperation since a severe car accident that almost killed me. As explained to me by my doctors, my body would experience “battery burn out” more often during recovery. I was desperate to find something to get me through the times of ZERO energy fast. Coffee was not doing it. Since recovery was taking a super long time (Broken bones heal so much faster that broken brains 😉 I needed a solution NOW. Since adding FRS to my day I’m noticing a huge improvement in how long I can do what I need to do. Physical therapy? Bring it on!!! Your web site is giving me an amazing amount of information that I’m loving! Especially since I’ve decided to include Distance Walking to my new life. Eventually Running will be my thing but I’m just starting to get going. Thanks so much for creating a web site that answers all the questions I didn’t even know I had! 😉
@Sherry
I use Xtend on a daily basis for it’s recovery properties, but it doesn’t give me any “energy”. Just an FYI!
I’m not trying to offend anyone here but this product taste like the bile you puke up after your out of vomit. I’ll try it in orange juice but with water only it’s more than nasty. The chews I thought would be different, they taste maybe a bit better but still have that bile after taste. I work out everyday very intesively and I’ll stick to my vitamins and whey protien. Thanks anyway
Is FRS safe for seniors. I am 69, work out and play tennis. Thanks.
If everyone would healthy and exercise you wouldn’t energy drinks to help get through a day…..
Don’t buy this stuff. It will make you sick.
Quercetin has not been researched in these doses. You can get enough of the B complex and quercetin from green tea and an apple.
I took the chews at half the recommended amounts for 1 week and gradually grew more light headed and nauseous. Stomach grew extremely gassy and bloated to the point where I discontinued because I got sick from them. I vomited for a day.
I can’t believe our government has so little regulation to protect us from these types of bogus products.
do not develop a dependency on this type of thing. This article does not overtly encourage daily use, but it does not disway doing so either. A more natural, sustainable living situation would be to exercise daily and eat healthy, non-processed foods.
FRS is a total BS product. I used it before a trail run and it caused major bladder pain. Also, the toxic Sucralose additive is very unhealthy. Way too expensive. Spend the $50 for 14 day supply of FRS on fruits and vegetables instead (throw ‘m in a blender and drink). You will be much healthier and stronger!
Well to those of you who reject this product Obviously hasn’t used it. There is NOTHING harmful in this product and it is safe for seniors. I have a cancer patient friend that LOVE’S this product and thanks me for recommending it to him. I have been using it since 2006. And I LOVE this product. I work (home remodeling) 50 hrs. a week and usually do some sort of activity on the weekend. Whether it be biking 30 miles or hiking 10 miles in the Fl. Everglades. THIS PRODUCT IS SAFE AND IT WORKS. Now Available at Publix supermarket. Where the price of the powder mix has been dropped by half. As for J’s comment about exercising. Do you think you could bike 30 miles? And it may help you with forming complete sentence’s.
Hey, I work at my local food shelf in MN and someone had dropped off about 20 boxes of the can version of FRS. i looked it up online (we aren’t allowed to give away energy drinks) and thought these would be suitable to be givin away. However being this is a product i have never heard of before i tried a can of it. Hardly made it past the smell. it litterally smelled like a can of tuna. is this normal for this product? or is there a way they could go out of date? im not trying to talk down to the product but i would like to know if i will be responsible for giving away outdated products.
@Sean
I’ve had some cans lying around that expired 2 years ago. I drank them with no problems, except some of the ingredients gunk up at the bottom of the can. (So I just didn’t drink the last couple sips.)
The smell has never bothered me. It might be a bit odd, but nothing like a can of tuna.
Not sure what’s going on with your supply.
Mine smells like tuna too. I’m afraid to taste it.
frs is a great product . I bike to work 5 day a week and it keeps me going . FYI dont let your kids drink it . My son got a hold of my water bottle after i got off the the bike and as was up until 3am . We didt know why he was so awake sor so long until i went into his room and found my water bottle. The next day we took him and the bottle of consentrate to see the doc . The doc started laughing when we told him how long he was up . Whn he read the bottle he said that he would be fine . By the way i had to wrk at 530 am .
I was given a can of orange flavored FRS to try. wow what a disgusting beverage. I chugged it to try to ignore the taste and ended up gagging. I have tried everything to remove the taste that has burned into my esophagus. I drank it two hours ago and still feel like vomiting. The taste is similar to caustic tuna mixed with orange powder gatorade and a slight resemblance to bile. I can feel it taking on a life of its own as it sloshes around in my stomach. Seriously disgusting.
Mine tasted like tuna too, like bad! I bought like 6 cans, threw them all away after the first sip.
This stuff wrecks your stomach! Much like a previous poster said, I drank one of the low cal pomegranate cans…Needless to say I felt I was going to die that night. My stomach was majorly cramping and I was light headed as well. Energy yes, but at a risk!
I ordered a free sample of FRS a few months ago, which came with chews and a small box of powder packets. I used most of it before & after workouts, but I never experienced any sort of improvement in performance or post workout energy levels.
I would never buy them, but at least I didn’t have issues with the taste like some of you have above. It tasted great to me, and I found that I needed more water to dissolve the powder than suggested, so that was a plus, but if taste was all I was looking for, I’d be buying Kool-Aid.
I have the orange really smelly can. Not so much tuna but eww. As long as I hold my nose the taste is not bad and I am not nearly as dead as I felt 20 min. ago. I got them from a friend who works for an old lady who got them from a food bank (nice, I know, right). So I’m not going to order online cuz of all the drama I’ve heard but any suggestions on who sells em. I’ve never looked for them so I have never noticed them. Thanks
@Morgan
The question of “who sells em” has been asked and answered in the previous comments.
Frs is the first energy drink that really works for me. No crashes, bad tastes, etc. And it really does give you all day energy.
I began with the free trial, then cancelled. It was quite simple. No suprise bills. My only beef is that my local grocery keeps running out of my favorite canned flavor (peach mango). But they often sell them for a buck a can, so I shouldn’t complain.
I’ve never seen the lemon lime. Do they still make it?
@Mike
I think they quit making lemon lime in 2009. It’s been a while. But the newer cherry limeade flavor is pretty darn good too!
I think FRS HealthySlim is vile tasting and I also believe that either it or the FRS Powdered Drink Mix gives me diarrhea. I also can not really determine if I’m getting any energy from it. I use the powdered drink on a 4 mile run/walk and don’t think it helps and I’ve used it numerous time. The chews are vile tasting and a have a strange gritty powdery consistency to them and also, I don’t think they gave me any energy at all. The HealthySlim is supposed to be an appetite suppressant but I’m not getting that vibe either. So I have 9 bottles of HealthySlim (which is now discontinued) that I will not drink so email me if you want it. For energy and hydration on my workouts and runs maybe I’ll try Accelerade and GU – both I’ve used years ago and they didn’t make me sick.
@Eric
Never tried the HealthySlim! When they came out with that, I finally said, “really FRS?” It’s like they’ll try anything to attract more types of customers.