Intro
ZOA: A Healthy Twist vs. MTE: A New Kind of Energy
ZOA energy drinks became popular in 2021 when Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced the launch of a new line of cleaner energy drinks. ZOA is supposed to be this well-rounded energy drink that can give your body the fuel it needs to reach its full potential without messing up your health with chemicals and synthetics.
And when the demigod of muscles and charisma promotes a new, health-conscious energy drink, people are bound to listen. After all, The Rock takes such good care of his body, so this product must be something special, right?
While ZOA is a step in the right direction, it’s still only slightly better than other mainstream energy drinks. It boasts 160mg of caffeine per serving, which can definitely cause jitters, irritability, and the dreaded crash. So it’s healthy energy, but only kind of.
MTE (More Than Energy) takes a different approach to the natural energy boost – sans caffeine. Instead, it uses a synergistic formulation of 10 nootropics, adaptogens, and superfoods that work together for a new kind of energy – one that feels different… because it feels good.
But hey – no shade – just because ZOA has caffeine doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a lot going for it. Let’s take a look at these natural energy-boosting blends so you can choose which energetic vibes are right for you.
How It Works
Is Caffeine the Best Approach to Sustainable Energy?
While ZOA offers a slightly healthier alternative to mainstream energy drinks, it still relies on caffeine for that much-needed jolt of energy – 160mg of caffeine for each 12 oz can, to be more precise. And there’s 210 mg in 16 oz cans.
Although consuming up to 400mg of caffeine per day is safe, according to the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), some people experience side effects when consuming this much caffeine in one sitting.
However, for most people, ZOA can provide a necessary kick that helps them overcome a midday slump. And thanks to the formulation that contains fruit extracts, vitamins, electrolytes, and amino acids, ZOA aims to do more than just charge up your body. It wants to support your immune system, keep you hydrated, and ensure you have enough energy and motivation for everything life throws your way.
It sounds good on paper, but it's no secret that caffeine isn’t the best approach for what they're trying to accomplish.
A Caffeine-Free Energy Solution in a Powder
Harsh stimulants aren’t how your body was meant to source energy. They just trick your brain for a little while to forget about fatigue and continue being productive until the inevitable crash, which does not come with a good mood. Or motivation. Or productivity.
Feeling energized comes from having a balanced diet, sleeping well, managing stress, and getting your body what it needs. But also from healthy stimulants like paraxanthine – MTE’s secret weapon.
Paraxanthine comes with all the energy benefits of other stimulants but none of the horrible stuff – you can learn a whole lot about paraxanthine energy drinks in our article: Paraxanthine: A Solution to Natural & Synthetic Caffeine.
Benefits
What Benefits Do ZOA & MTE Offer?
So, what does MTE promise, and is it any different from what ZOA offers?
MTE’s Benefits
The adaptogens and nootropics in MTE’s caffeine-free energy drink powder support stress management, reduced inflammation, better rest, calm energy, improved focus, and more.
These ingredients support the balance within your body by regulating and maintaining signals and keeping your systems in order. Adaptogens, in particular, help manage the brain and bodily systems that control stress response. At the same time, they work together with nootropics to promote the balance of certain feel-good chemicals associated with pleasure, learning, memory, and more.
As a result, MTE helps optimize your body, which results in several benefits, including:
- More energy
- Better response to stress
- Improved mood
- Better focus
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved metabolism
- Better recovery
Zoa’s Benefits
Here’s what ZOA’s website says about the benefits of this energy drink:
“ZOA is here to light that spark inside you with a cleaner energy formula. Crafted to help you reach your potential and inspire others to reach just as high.”
With a new slogan: “Fuel Something Bigger,” ZOA aims to provide the necessary energy, immune system support, hydration, and muscle growth support to active people. So, let’s see what ingredients ZOA uses to get you its holistic (if caffeinated) energy boost:
Ingredients
ZOA’s Cleaner Energy vs MTE’s Energetic Synergy
Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients and reasoning behind both these healthy energy drink blends:
ZOA’s Ingredients
ZOA’s energy drink uses a formulation of high-quality ingredients and natural colors and flavors. On their website, they list the five most important elements of their formula:
- Camu camu extract
- B & C vitamins
- Natural caffeine
- Amino acids
- Electrolytes
Vitamin C and camu camu extract reduce oxidative stress and help optimize your immune system response. This contributes to normal energy metabolism and helps fight fatigue.
B vitamins are essential for many body processes, including energy production, metabolism, and mental focus. That’s why you can find B vitamins in most energy drinks, including ZOA.
The natural caffeine in ZOA is sourced from green tea and green coffee beans. There is a common misconception that natural caffeine doesn’t cause side effects. However, the dose is much more important than the source. Consume too much caffeine from any source and you may experience headaches, emotional distress and trouble unwinding at night.
In comparison, a caffeine-free energy powder like MTE can help prevent migraines, promote relaxation, and make it easier to fall asleep. Just saying.
The electrolytes in ZOA, like the magnesium, potassium, and sodium, help maintain proper fluid balance and nerve and muscle function. These electrolytes can help you hydrate, which is vital for every cell function. In fact, fatigue is one of the first symptoms of dehydration.
Lastly, ZOA contains amino acids to help muscle growth and repair and provide necessary building blocks for enzymes and hormones. However, the website doesn’t state which amino acids are there, and the information is a little vague.
MTE’s Ingredients
MTE contains 10 different nootropics, adaptogens, and superfoods combined in an easy-to-take powder in single-serving sticks. We’ll briefly go over them below, but you can read in-depth articles about each ingredient on our Wellness Blog.
MTE’s Nootropics
Most nootropics are natural compounds that support and enhance brain function, improve focus, and reduce fatigue.
Key nootropics in MTE’s formulation include:
These nootropics were selected because of their benefits, safety profile, and extensive potential to improve well-being. Paraxanthine is the caffeine substitute that provides the natural energy boost of caffeine but without all the bad stuff associated with caffeine. L-theanine, GABA, and saffron support cognitive function, improve stress response, reduce feelings of distress/unease, and so much more.
MTE’s Adaptogens
Adaptogens are natural compounds that interact with your central nervous system to help you adapt to stress and become more resilient. As a result, the levels of stress chemicals in your body lower and you experience many additional health benefits, because stress is sort of horrible for you.
Key adaptogens in MTE’s formulation include:
These ancient herbs and roots have been used for thousands of years to support various areas of people’s health. Together, they have the potential for:
- Stress resilience
- Cognition and focus boost
- Reduced fatigue
- Improved sleep
- Bolstered immune system
- Reduced inflammation
- Enhanced, balanced mood
MTE’s Superfoods
Superfoods are nutrient-rich foods that may provide certain health benefits due to their naturally high content of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and other compounds. So some of them are also sort of adaptogens.
MTE contains chicory root, amaranth, and spirulina. These superfoods complete our formulation, creating a perfectly balanced wellness powder for maximum benefits and no pitfalls.
These superfoods support:
- The immune system
- Heart health
- Mental well-being
- Blood sugar regulation
- Gut health
- Allergy management
Pricing
The Cost-Benefit Ratio of ZOA vs. MTE
If you go to the ZOA Energy website, you’ll see that you can order these energy drinks in 12 packs. A standard 12oz 12-pack costs $24.99. That comes to around $2.00 per can, which is less expensive than most other energy drinks.
The good thing about ZOA is that you can choose a subscription option and get 10% or 20% off, depending on the product you select. The delivery frequency is every two or every four weeks.
MTE comes with a higher price tag, but in fairness, it’s not just an energy blend; it’s more of a wellness drink powder with an energetic twist. A 24-pack of single-serving sticks without a subscription is $3.25/serving; with a monthly subscription, you get a 20.64% discount (oddly specific…) at $2.60/serving.
Packaging
Are ZOA & MTE Conscious About Carbon Impact?
It’s more evident than ever that we need to minimize our impact on the environment – do either of these healthy energy drink companies consider the health of the planet, too? Yup!
- MTE uses post-consumer recycled plastic for their single-serving sticks of energy drink powder and ships their product in cardboard-only packaging.
- ZOA energy drinks come in recyclable cans with a cool, colorful design – classic. Did you know aluminum is an infinitely recyclable metal?
Other Highlights
The Other Cool Stuff About ZOA & MTE
One big advantage of ZOA over MTE is that it’s available at most major grocery stores, though MTE looks to be gaining traction and now has a store finder on its site. But back to ZOA - you can easily grab a can on the go or order a 12-pack off Amazon and stock up on one of several available flavors.
Plus, ZOA doesn’t contain:
- Added sugars
- Preservatives
- Artificial flavors
- Synthetic colors
That makes it a somewhat cleaner and healthier alternative to most mainstream energy drinks.
MTE is also available on Amazon and in stores, though their subscription service is the most convenient way to make sure you keep up on the daily habit this natural energy booster is meant for.
And MTE doesn’t contain:
- Dairy
- Gluten
- Artificial sweeteners
- Added sugars
- Caffeine
MTE is diet-friendly to nearly everyone; it’s vegan, organic, keto-friendly, Halal, and Kosher.
Get an Energy Drink You Can Feel Good About
MTE prioritizes quality ingredients and the synergistic power of adaptogens, nootropics, and superfoods, which blow caffeine out of the water on the benefits side and in its lack of nasty side effects. It’s a systemic approach that unlocks a new kind of energy - clean, consistent, and caffeine-free.
