Designed to increase attention span, energy drinks increase heart rate and blood pressure, and cause serious health problems, if consumed excessively. Some young people have even ended up in hospital with serious dehydration, anxiety, insomnia and heart irregularity. They are banned in Sweden and Lithuania for teenagers.
Gusto Organic is a popular drinks brand, known for mixing bold flavours, with ethical sourcing. Using organic and Fair Trade ingredients, these bottles pack a punch, while keeping things natural and refreshing.
Check medication before drinking these drinks (due to guarana, ginseng, cola nuts etc). Also avoid (due to caffeine and herbs) if pregnant or nursing.
Gusto Organic Real Cola
Real Cola is where Gusto made its name. This isn’t your average cola. It swaps out the usual additives for real organic spices and essential oils. Sweetened with fair trade cane sugar and agave, it skips the usual artificial aftertaste.
The result is a cola with hints of citrus, nutmeg, and cinnamon. It’s clean, bright, and finishes smooth. Many fans say it’s the best cola they’ve tasted outside of the major brands, with none of the guilt. Also in a Cherry Cola version.
Gusto Organic Naturally Slim Cola
Naturally Slim Cola is Gusto’s low-calorie answer to classic cola. It swaps sugar for organic stevia, so you still get cola flavour without the calories. There’s no odd aftertaste or fake sweetness—just a lighter, refreshing cola drink.
Those watching their sugar intake but craving a cola will find this drink stands out among low-sugar options.
Gusto Original Energy Drink
The original creation is still being sold, decades later. Created as a party drink alternative to chemical excesses, the recipe remains unchanged (blending 14 Chinese herbs with organic apple juice, Amazon guarana and cola nut from the African rainforest).
Gusto Organic Lemon Energy
Lemon Energy gives you a big boost, without the chemical load. Packed with organic lemon and added guarana, it delivers a sharp citrus punch with natural caffeine. There’s no sticky sweetness—just crisp lemon and a touch of botanicals.
This drink shows off Gusto’s approach to energy, avoiding synthetic flavours or harsh stimulants. It’s a popular pick for those who need a lift, but want to stick with something pure.
Gusto Organic Ginger with Chipotle
If you like spice, Ginger with Chipotle will wake up your taste buds. It brings together fresh ginger, spicy chipotle, and apple to create a drink that’s both warm and refreshing. The ginger is strong, with the chipotle giving a smoky finish.
Unlike most ginger drinks, it relies on raw flavour instead of sugar overload. It’s great for people who want a fiery drink that feels grown-up!
Gusto Organic Sicilian Blood Orange
Sicilian Blood Orange is all about bold fruit. Made with sun-ripened Sicilian oranges, this drink is tangy and a little sweet but never syrupy. The juice stands centre stage, backed by organic cane sugar and botanical extracts.
Each sip is bright and uplifting, with layers of zest and natural fruit. It’s a good choice for anyone looking for something lively and not too sweet.
Gusto Organic Fiery Ginger Beer
Fiery Ginger Beer uses root ginger, lemon, and subtle chilli for a layered kick. The recipe is simple: organic ingredients and a bit of fair trade sugar. There’s no hiding the heat or the real ginger taste here.
It’s not just for mixing—many enjoy it on its own over ice. This ginger beer shows how Gusto sticks to natural roots and keeps the sweetness just right.
Natural Ways to Get More Energy
Have a life laundry. If you have stressful jobs, homes, commutes, relationships, friendships etc, it pays to sort these out first, to create a relaxing lifestyle. Seth Godin once wrote ‘Instead of wondering when our next vacation is, we should set up a life we don’t need to escape from’.
Look at your diet. Go for natural, whatever you eat. Lots of fresh (or even frozen/tinned) fruits and vegetables, wholegrains, legumes, herbs and spices. Buy a cookbook or just find natural foods at the store, and make something up, rather than eating refined foods that give little energy.
Drink water. Dehydration is a common issue of tiredness. If you just gradually build up to the recommendations (different for everyone, but as a rule, you should be drinking a 650ml reusable water bottle filled up twice to three times daily, depending on weather and exercise).
Serious dehydration is dangerous so see a doctor (for mild dehydration, you can drink a can of 7Up (for sugar and salt) then eat a big bag of salty pretzels to make you thirsty enough to keep drinking lots of water or squash until rehydrated).
Give up alcohol. As above, this causes dehydration, and also makes you tired. This is a biggie. If you’re a serious alcoholic, see your doctor as coming straight off alcohol can be dangerous. Otherwise, gradually reduce or give up alcohol until you start to feel more energised.
Don’t over-exercise. We all need some exercise. But if you overdo it, you can get dehydrated. A gentle walk for 30 minutes is fine, but hours of addictive running etc can send you into feeling exhausted or dehydrated, or both.
Try to relax and rest. This is obvious. Take time to simply ‘do nothing’. One of the biggest contributors to feeling tired is stress.
If after all the above you still feel exhausted, get a blood test from your door, to check that you don’t have a medical condition like anaemia or underactive thyroid.
The History Original ‘Energy Drinks’
Lucozade (invented by a Newcastle pharmacist) is packed with glucose (sugar) and Ribena (originally created in 1938 as a free source of vitamin C for children and pregnant women) is also high in sugar.
Liverpool City Council once ran a health campaign saying the former was a worst offender for sugar (the only good thing being it was often used as a diabetes emergency drink – but it’s been reformulated to also contain artificial sweeteners, so advice is now amended).
Another reason to not buy Lucozade is that it is (like packs of Pringles) one of the most difficult items to recycle, due to lots of different plastics and materials in one item.
One Devon woman who went litter-picking for something do during lockdown, famously came across a Lucozade bottle that had been lying in the gutter since the 1990s. The brand applauded her and said this was a good story to encourage people to recycle?
This personal trainer says one bottle of Lucozade is like eating two packs of jelly babies (full of sugar and contributing the obesity epidemic). He suggests adding fresh lime juice to sparkling water, for the same effect.
