Kim Kardashian launched an energy drink called Update that swaps out caffeine for paraxanthine, a compound the human body naturally generates when it metabolizes caffeine. The drink also claims zero sugar, zero calories, and no artificial flavors or colors.
Paraxanthine is one of three metabolites produced when the liver breaks down caffeine. According to Jonathan Jennings, MD, a board-certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan, the other two metabolites, theobromine and theophylline, are associated with the side effects that make caffeine uncomfortable for some people: anxiety, nausea, diarrhea, and rapid heartbeat. Paraxanthine, by contrast, is the dominant breakdown product and does not appear to carry the same association with those effects.
The promotional material for Update describes the drink as delivering "smooth, steady energy without the jitters, crashes, or sleep disruption commonly associated with traditional energy drinks." Whether that claim holds up at scale is still an open question. Experts note that research on paraxanthine is promising but limited compared to the extensive literature on caffeine.
Avery Zenker, a registered dietitian at MyHealthTeam, told Healthline that both compounds have their pros and cons. Paraxanthine may offer equivalent or even stronger energizing effects with fewer side effects, but more research is needed before drawing firm conclusions about how it compares to caffeine across different users and contexts.
Update is not purely a paraxanthine delivery system. The drink also contains alpha-GPC, a compound frequently marketed for cognitive performance, along with sucralose, an artificial sweetener, despite the "no artificial flavors or colors" branding on the label. Sucralose is a sweetener, not a flavor or color, which places it outside that specific claim while still being a synthetic additive.
Jennings advised consumers to consult a healthcare provider before adding any supplement or energy beverage to their routine, even those marketed as natural. He noted that appropriate dosing for paraxanthine is still being investigated, and following recommended amounts on the label matters until more data is available.
Zenker echoed a broader point: energy drinks of any formulation should not substitute for the fundamentals. Quality sleep, regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management are the more reliable long-term drivers of sustained energy. An energy drink, however novel its ingredient list, sits on top of those foundations rather than replacing them.
Paraxanthine is not entirely new to the supplement market, but its appearance in a celebrity-branded consumer product brings it significantly wider attention. Whether the science eventually catches up to the marketing will depend on larger, longer clinical studies, none of which have yet been completed at the scale that would satisfy most nutrition researchers.
