Now that I’ve had some time to put FRS through the paces, I can compare it to ACT, which I’ve used for a couple years already.

(For a longer introduction, see my FRS Overview and my ACT Long-term Test, which contain all the details about each of these energy drinks for healthy eaters.)

Now, on to the direct comparison…

FRS vs ACT - Price

FRS costs about $2.50 per can if you get a little 4-pack, but if you were to order a case of 24 cans, it would be about $2 per can (including shipping.) ACT costs $1.92 per can (including shipping) if you order two cases from their website, so the bulk prices are fairly similar.

FRS powders cost about $1.50 per packet, while ACT packets cost closer to $1.25. If you get ACT powder in a canister, it’s about $1 per serving.

Overall the price is similar, but FRS can be found in smaller quantities (or even a free trial) while ACT has to be purchased in bulk to get the good prices.

FRS vs ACT - Taste and Texture

I actually like both of these drinks, but each one is totally different.

FRS is like a fruit juice, especially the cans and liquid concentrate. The powder is a little bit closer to a typical energy drink, but overall, FRS is like drinking orange juice.

ACT, on the other hand, tastes like a typical energy drink. In the cans it has a light texture and some carbonation, and a quirky berry flavor. It’s kind of like a cherry soda versus FRS being more like a cherry juice.

FRS vs ACT - Flavors

FRS offers about four different flavors, some of which come in “all natural” and “low cal” versions. These flavors include Orange, Lemon Lime, Peach Mango, and Wild Berry. And each one is good!

ACT was limited to one flavor (berry) for a while, but recently came out with a new flavor (tropical.) The cans are still limited to the berry flavor, though, so if you’re looking for flavor options, FRS has you covered.

FRS vs ACT - Ease of Use

Both FRS and ACT have cans, and both are easy to drink. Both have powders, too, although the FRS powder is much easier to mix than ACT. The ACT powder takes a lot longer to prepare because you have to mix it in warm water and let it sit for a while.

Not to mention how FRS comes in the “health chews” which are super easy to eat. I’d say FRS is the clear winner in the “ease of use” battle.

FRS vs ACT - Testimonials

If you browse their websites, both contain a lot of testimonials, even from pro athletes. But ACT has lesser-known pro athletes and a relatively unknown cyclist, while FRS has a very well-known Tour de France champion in their corner.

Here’s what FRS says about that deal:

“Lance’s relationship with FRS is more than an endorsement deal, it’s a partnership. After carefully reviewing the science behind the product and meeting our management team, Lance Armstrong has joined our Board of Directors and chosen FRS to be the exclusive beverage he represents worldwide. FRS aligns with his lifestyle choices and what he believes in. Power your life with FRS.”

FRS vs ACT - Carbs and Calories

FRS comes in all natural and low carb varieties, so you can limit your calories if you choose, but the low carb variety contains sucralose, which is an artificial sweetener and something I try to avoid. In cans, the all natural has about 130 calories, while the low cal has about 25 calories.

ACT only has one formula, but it is still low in calories (25 per can) without the need for artificial sweeteners. That way you can drink it without worrying about calories or the possible negative side effects of artificial sweeteners.

FRS vs ACT - Healthy Ingredients

FRS contains a blend of the antioxidant quercetin and green tea extract which contains lots of catechins, along with numerous vitamins and minerals (including important B vitamins.) Researchers have found that EGCG (the primary catechin in green tea) is 100 times more potent than vitamin C against free radical damage. So that is awesome, but FRS still contains ~ 200% DV of vitamin C for good measure!

ACT contains some vitamins and minerals, too. A serving has a whopping 450mg potassium and just 20mg sodium, along with 100% DV of Vitamins C, B16, and B12.

But ACT contains a lot of ‘energy’ ingredients: Guarana, Green Tea, Panax Ginseng, Stevia extract, L-arginine, Taurine, L-Carnitine, and Tyrosine.

So it seems they are both fairly healthy, although FRS has a lot more antioxidants,vitamins, and minerals, while FRS has some interesting ingredients and energy supplements that aren’t found in FRS.

FRS vs ACT - The Energy Boost!

Hands down, FRS offers the best energy boost of any healthy energy drink of sports supplement I’ve used. A glass of FRS in the morning provides an uplifting feeling that lasts all day. It’s not a blast of energy, but it seems to last forever.

ACT provides a little bit of an energy boost, but it’s not as powerful. However, it is still better than getting a big rush and crashing in 30 minutes.

Pulling an all-nighter or taking a long road trip? Then go with FRS.

Need a slight pick-me-up in late afternoon or evening? Use ACT. (I can use ACT later in the day without it affecting my sleep.)

The big reason I still use ACT, though, is that it seems to have better recovery benefits. Used after a hard workout, I manage to feel good the next day!

FRS vs ACT - The Results

Let’s see… both are expensive and come in a variety of forms, and are relatively healthy. I will keep using both on occasion: FRS each morning and maybe during a workout, then ACT afterwards for recovery. (However, it’s harder for me to get through a day without FRS.)

FRS is easier to get (and offers a free trial,) so it’s much easier to get some FRS.

FRS has an all-day energy boost, slightly better than ACT. I like the fizziness of the ACT though. Also, I can take ACT in the evening after a workout to aid recovery, and I’ll feel better, but I can still get to sleep. With FRS, I make sure only to take it early in the day because I don’t think I could get to sleep afterwards.

So…

Need an all-day energy boost? FRS.

Want a decent tasting energy drink that is also healthy? ACT.

Have to choice just one? Honestly I’d have to go with FRS. That could change in a few years or even a few months, but for now, FRS is my go-to drink.

Learn more about FRS: www.healthyenergy.com

Learn more about ACT: www.DrinkACT.com

FRS Healthy Energy is getting more and more popular every day, but some people aren’t in the loop, and they’re always asking me what this FRS stuff is.

You can see I have already explained my thoughts on FRS Healthy Energy, but if you don’t even know what it is, keep reading. For those of you who have missed out so far, here is a brief explanation as to what FRS is…

“What is FRS Healthy Energy Drink?”

FRS is a healthy energy drink.

First, the “healthy” part. FRS contains all natural ingredients, such as cane sugar and grape juice concentrate (both natural sweeteners,) and antioxidants from fruits, vegetables, and green tea. One of those antioxidants is Quercetin, and the other is EGCG from green tea extract. Both fight off harmful free radicals that are present in your body.

Second, the “energy” from FRS. While most energy drinks are chock full of caffeine and other stimulants (in excessive quantities,) FRS goes a different route. They put so many healthy antioxidants in the drink that it doesn’t need stimulants. See, the antioxidants keep your body functioning properly and fighting off any free radicals that would normally sap your energy. So by stopping the free radicals, your body is free to create a steady stream of energy.

That’s FRS in a nutshell!

To learn more, take a look at the FRS website, www.healthyenergy.com.

One thing that’s happening with the healthy energy drink trend is companies are loading their drinks with potent antioxidants (see FRS and Fiva for good examples.) Because of this, you might see something called the ORAC rating…

You review energy drinks - what does ORAC stand for?

Omar

Good question. ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, and in general terms, it’s a measure of the antioxidant power in a given product.

I’m not sure how the science works, but each food is assigned an ORAC value, and it’s basically ‘the higher the better.’ Higher ORAC values mean the food contains more antioxidant power, which in turn means it is very beneficial for fighting off the damaging oxygen radicals (i.e. free radicals.)

So if you’re buying an energy drink that you think is healthy, take a look at the ORAC value. Fiva has an ORAC value well over 3000, which is more than you need in a single day, so that’s plenty. But FRS goes further - it has an ORAC of 7000 to 10000! (That’s why FRS gives you such a big energy boost.)

At the other end of the spectrum, you’ll find Gatorade with an ORAC value of just 19. (Gatorade tastes good, but it’s nothing more than sugar, electrolytes, and flavorings.)

Links for further research:

• ORAC Page at Fiva
• ORAC Comparison Chart (from FRS)
• ORAC entry at Wikipedia

Related product reviews:

• Fiva Review
• FRS Reviews

Take a look at a video overview of the FRS Healthy Energy drinks:

Learn more about FRS by clicking here.

P.S. Like my shirt? It’s from the 2007 Tour de Susquehanna.

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:

• FRS Liquid Concentrate
• FRS Powder
• FRS Cans
• FRS Health Chews

Now I will share my final opinions and findings…

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. Then I’ll have a bag of the chews around for special occasions like big rides and important races.

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:

Free Trial link: www.healthyenergy.com/tryfree