Merica Energy BLUE VALOR Flavor Drops in Time for Summer

A lot of trends in the supplement industry are being driven by the growing consumer realization that supplements aren’t just for getting jacked. Smart supplementation is key for people who want to achieve great things —

And for red-blooded Americans with the classic American can-do attitude, there’s no duo of companies better positioned to help them make this country great than ‘Merica Labz and their offshoot energy drink brand, ‘Merica Energy.

Merica Energy Blue Valor

Merica Energy launched the new Blue Valor (Blueberry Lemonade) flavor at the 2022 Arnold Sports Festival

As most energy drink fans know, the Red, White, & Boom Energy Drink was formulated to help you turn your life a notch or ten, helping you to hurl yourself into the all-American high-octane grindset lifestyle. Today, it’s time to drop the latest flavor:

Merica Energy Blue Valor (blueberry lemonade) is now out!

Blue Valor, a blueberry lemonade flavor that’s perfect for hot summer barbecues and long truck rides, has officially launched at the 2022 Arnold Sports Festival. This flavor is an ode to all of the first responders who have put their lives on the line each and every day of their careers.

We first tasted it in our cigar and energy drink fueled guest appearance on Doug Miller and Patrick Mabe’s podcast, The Boss Status (episode 8), and it’s fantastic.

We’ve written about Red White & Boom Energy before, but today we’re going to revisit it and expand a little bit on the ingredients. First, be sure to watch our most epic tasting videos below, and then let’s dig in:

Merica Energy Red White & BOOM – Deals and Price Drop Alerts

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Watch us taste it on The Boss Status:

We crack some final production sample bottles of Blue Valor pretty early in this incredible Boss Status episode:

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Long story short? This flavor is a winner. Put it right up there with Patriot’s Punch and Alpine Pew Pew… but Team PricePlow lately has admittedly been very partial to Victory (cream soda) lately!

Merica Energy Ingredients

In a single 16 fl-oz. can of Red White & Boom from Merica Labz, you get the following paired with 200 milligrams of caffeine:

  • Acetyl L-Carnitine – 250 mg

    Merica Energy Ingredients

    The ‘Merica Energy Ingredients label

    Also known as ALCAR, Acetyl L-Carnitine is a specific form of carnitine that’s designed to help boost focus, while also performing the primary function of L-carnitine, which is to transport fatty acids into mitochondria (where they’re burned for energy).[1] This generally increases the overall availability of energy to your cells.

    ALCAR’s unique focus-boosting properties come from its ability to cross the blood-brain-barrier,[1-4] and from the fact that it’s bound to an acetyl group, which can be used to synthesize neurotransmitters like acetylcholine.

    Because of its effect on neurotransmitter systems, ALCAR has the ability to improve cognition,[5,6] upregulate neurotransmitter production,[7] and even have neuroprotective and anti-depressant effects.[8]

    Another great thing about ALCAR’s appearance in this recipe is that it synthesizes with caffeine, which is also present, to liberate free fatty acids and increase the body’s rate of fat burning.[9]

    In a 2018 meta-analysis of over 30 studies, researchers found that carnitine supplementation at a variety of doses helped improve metabolic functioning in athletes, helping them to perform better overall than athletes who don’t take carnitine.[10] Specifically, carnitine seems to have the ability to increase exercise capacity and prolong endurance, as well as promote faster and better recovery.[10,11]

  • Choline Bitartrate – 250 mg

    Choline bitartrate is a high-yield type of choline that will increase blood plasma levels of choline, including in the brain. This is great because choline is an essential nutrient, meaning that we need it and our bodies cannot make it themselves, so we must obtain it from food or supplements.

    Choline performs a lot of functions in the body, but perhaps its most important is in strengthening the integrity of cell membranes.[12]

    However, choline is also a precursor to acetylcholine,[13] which we often refer to as “the learning neurotransmitter” because of the role it plays in memory consolidation (and hence, learning). Combining choline with ALCAR is a smart strategy for raising acetylcholine levels, which is going to improve cognition and give you the feeling of higher mental energy levels.

    Choline deficiency is really bad – besides causing cognitive impairment, it can also eventually lead to damaged organs and catabolized muscle tissue, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a disorder that’s part of the metabolic syndrome.[14]

    Not getting enough choline can cause cognitive dysfunction and damage to organs and muscle tissue, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a disorder that’s associated with diabetes and dyslipidemia.[15]

  • Caffeine – 200 mg

    Merica Energy Red White & Boom Energy Blue Valor

    Much like the previous two ingredients, caffeine is famous for its ability to cross the brain-blood barrier. It works to promote alertness and mental energy by blocking the receptors for adenosine and phosphodiesterase.in the brain,[16] which increases global neural activity.[16]

    Caffeine is so good for your brain that researchers are finding it to be neuroprotective in dopamine-driven neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, so it probably won’t come as much of a shock to hear that in healthy people, caffeine has been demonstrated to improve a wide variety of cognitive abilities.[17]

    Phosphodiesterase is an enzyme that breaks down cyclic adenosine monophosphate, also known as cAMP.[18,19] Because cAMP metabolizes fat and carbs for energy, keeping cAMP levels high will give your body and your brain more energy for the intense tasks you demand of them.[20]

    That’s great if you’re dieting, because caffeine will increase your metabolic flexibility, helping you burn more fat for fuel if you’re intermittently fasting, or eating at a caloric deficit.[21-23]

    Merica Energy Blue Valor

    As far as dosing is concerned, 200 milligrams is a great choice, because the research literature indicates that caffeine doses between 40 and 300 milligrams are best at improving cognitive function.[24]

You can read the full story in our article titled ‘Merica Energy: The All-American Energy Drink Gets a ‘Restoration’.

While it’s not as massively loaded as the full-blown Merica Labz Red, White, & BOOM pre workout, this is far better than your average gas station energy drink. Not even close.

Other flavors available?

Blueberry lemonade not your flavor? Then check out these other incredible Merica Energy flavors:

    Another hit: Blue Valor Blueberry Lemonade

    Merica Energy Alpine Pew Pew

    BOOM! Merica Energy Alpine Pew Pew is a knock-down flavor.

    We couldn’t be happier with the resurgence of Merica Energy. This formula is effective, yet affordable and not over-the-top. Sometimes the best formulas are the simplest ones, and that’s definitely true in the case of Red White & Boom Energy. These three solid ingredients all synergize very well, and you can’t go wrong with the flavor. Not too much blueberry, but not too little either.

    We love the patriotic edge that Doug Miller and all of his brands at Crush It Holdings have – the team is not afraid to speak up and support the cause of their local patriots.

    The question comes down to which flavor you’re going to go for next. Blue Valor is excellent… but so are so many others. Whichever you choose, drink up and enjoy!

    About the Author: Mike Roberto

    Mike Roberto

    Mike Roberto is a research scientist and water sports athlete who founded PricePlow. He is an n=1 diet experimenter with extensive experience in supplementation and dietary modification, whose personal expertise stems from several experiments done on himself while sharing lab tests.

    Mike's goal is to bridge the gap between nutritional research scientists and non-academics who seek to better their health in a system that has catastrophically failed the public. Mike is currently experimenting with a low Vitamin A diet.

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    References

    1. Sahlin, K. “Boosting Fat Burning With Carnitine: An Old Friend Comes Out from the Shadow.” Journal of Physiology vol. 589,Pt 7 (2011): 1509-10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3099008/
    2. Ando S, et al. Oct. 15, 2001. Enhancement of Learning Capacity and Cholinergic Synaptic Function by Carnitine in Aging Rats; Journal of Neuroscience Research https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11592123
    3. Traina, Giovanna. Jun 1, 2016. “The Neurobiology of Acetyl-L-Carnitine.” Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark Edition); U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27100509
    4. Passeri, M, et al. 1990. “Acetyl-L-Carnitine in the Treatment of Mildly Demented Elderly Patients.” International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Research; U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2201659
    5. Ando, S., et al. “Enhancement of Learning Capacity and Cholinergic Synaptic Function by Carnitine in Aging Rats.” Journal of Neuroscience Research, vol. 66, no. 2, 15 Oct. 2001, pp. 266–271, 10.1002/jnr.1220. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11592123/
    6. Passeri, M., et al. “Acetyl-L-Carnitine in the Treatment of Mildly Demented Elderly Patients.” International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Research, vol. 10, no. 1-2, 1990, pp. 75–79. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2201659/
    7. Smeland, Olav B., et al. “Chronic Acetyl-l-Carnitine Alters Brain Energy Metabolism and Increases Noradrenaline and Serotonin Content in Healthy Mice.” Neurochemistry International, vol. 61, no. 1, July 2012, pp. 100–107, 10.1016/j.neuint.2012.04.008. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22549035/
    8. Traina, Giovanna. “The Neurobiology of Acetyl-L-Carnitine.” Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark Edition), vol. 21, 1 June 2016, pp. 1314–1329, 10.2741/4459. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27100509/
    9. Sachan DS, Hongu N. Increases in VO2max and metabolic markers of fat oxidation by caffeine, carnitine, and choline supplementation in rats. J Nutr Biochem. 2000 Oct;11(10):521-6. doi: 10.1016/s0955-2863(00)00119-4. PMID: 11120451. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11120451/
    10. Fielding, Roger, et al. “L-Carnitine Supplementation in Recovery after Exercise.” Nutrients, vol. 10, no. 3, 13 Mar. 2018, p. 349, 10.3390/nu10030349. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5872767/
    11. Fielding, Roger, et al. “L-Carnitine Supplementation in Recovery after Exercise.” Nutrients, vol. 10, no. 3, 13 Mar. 2018, p. 349, 10.3390/nu10030349. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5872767/
    12. Sanders LM, Zeisel SH; “Choline: Dietary Requirements and Role in Brain Development;” Nutrition today; 2007;42(4):181-186; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2518394/
    13. Purves D, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, et al.; “Neuroscience;” 2nd edition. Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates; 2001. Acetylcholine; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11143/
    14. Elsawy G, Abdelrahman O, Hamza A. Effect of Choline Supplementation on Rapid Weight Loss and Biochemical Variables Among Female Taekwondo and Judo Athletes. Journal of Human Kinetics. 2014;40:77-82. doi:10.2478/hukin-2014-0009. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4096089/
    15. Ueland, P. M.; “Choline and betaine in health and disease;” Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease; 2010; 34(1), 3–15; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1007/s10545-010-9088-4
    16. Goldstein, E.R., Ziegenfuss, T., Kalman, D. et al.; “International society of sports nutrition position stand: caffeine and performance”; J Int Soc Sports Nutr 7, 5 (2010); https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1550-2783-7-5
    17. Cappelletti, Simone et al. “Caffeine: cognitive and physical performance enhancer or psychoactive drug?.” Current neuropharmacology vol. 13,1 (2015): 71-88. doi:10.2174/1570159X13666141210215655 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4462044/
    18. Nehlig A, Daval JL, Debry G.; “Caffeine and the central nervous system: mechanisms of action, biochemical, metabolic and psychostimulant effects”; Brain Res Rev. 1992;17(2):139-170. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1356551/
    19. Goldstein, E.R., Ziegenfuss, T., Kalman, D. et al.; “International society of sports nutrition position stand: caffeine and performance.”; J Int Soc Sports Nutr 7, 5 (2010); https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1550-2783-7-5
    20. Diepvens, K et al; “Obesity and thermogenesis related to the consumption of caffeine, ephedrine, capsaicin, and green tea;” American Journal of Physiology; 2007; https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpregu.00832.2005
    21. Iqbal, O., Fareed, D., Cunanan, J., Hoppensteadt, D., Messadek, J., Baltasar, F., & Fareed, J. (2006). Betaine induced release of tissue factor pathway inhibitor and nitric oxide: implications in the management of cardiovascular disease. The FASEB Journal, 20(4), A655; http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/meeting_abstract/20/4/A655-a
    22. Ripps, H. et al. Nov. 2012. “Review: Taurine: A “Very Essential Amino Acid.” Molecular Vision vol. 18. 2673-86. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3501277/
    23. Chen, C. et al. Aug. 2019. “Roles of Taurine in Cognitive Function of Physiology, Pathologies, and Toxication.” Life Sciences vol. 15, 231; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31220527/
    24. Trexler, E. et al. Sep. 2016. “Effects of Coffee and Caffeine Anhydrous on Strength and Sprint Performance.” European Journal of Sport Science vol. 16,6. 702-10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4803635/

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