Kim Kardashian has launched an energy drink. Instead of containing caffeine, Update includes paraxanthine, a compound the body naturally produces when it breaks down caffeine. According to the brand’s promotional material, using paraxanthine directly “eliminates the crash, jitters and overstimulation” often associated with traditional energy drinks.

Energy drinks are already a huge global market, and most rely on caffeine to provide their stimulant effects. This new product takes a different approach by skipping caffeine and using one of its natural breakdown products instead.

It does not rely on paraxanthine alone. The formula also contains other ingredients commonly used in energy drinks and supplements, including alpha-GPC, sometimes marketed for cognitive performance, and sucralose, an artificial sweetener found in many low or zero sugar beverages. Any assessment of its potential health effects therefore needs to consider these ingredients as well.

Paraxanthine is the main metabolite produced when the body processes caffeine. The liver converts caffeine into three compounds: paraxanthine, theobromine and theophylline. Of these, paraxanthine is the most abundant, accounting for more than 70% of caffeine metabolism, while the other two make up the remaining 20 to 30%.

Caffeine works mainly by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain. Adenosine builds up during the day and promotes tiredness. When those receptors are blocked, we feel more alert. Paraxanthine appears to act on many of the same biological pathways, which may explain its similar stimulant effects.

Some research suggests it may be less toxic than caffeine. Scientists often compare toxicity using LD50, or “lethal dose 50”, the amount required to........

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