Ex-UFC Star’s Energy Drinks Claim Health Benefits While Skirting Real Dependancy Issues

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Former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson made an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, where he introduced audiences to a new beverage called F3. During their conversation, Jackson showcased the supplement-enhanced beverage, which caught Rogan’s immediate attention.

“It’s a newer energy drink, it got like supplements and stuff in it,” Jackson explained to Rogan. The beverage contains several active ingredients, including ginseng, BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids), and L-theanine.

When Rogan inquired about theanine, one of the drink’s key ingredients, it was noted that it functions as a nootropic – a substance that may support cognitive function. The podcast host appeared impressed with the product, expressing his approval after sampling it. F3 represents Jackson’s latest venture into the beverage market, joining a growing trend of athletes partnering with or creating their own supplement-based drinks.

In an effort to promote the drink, Frank Mir went on Mat Serra’s podcast.

Frank Mir, the former UFC Heavyweight Champion, has ventured into the health and wellness industry with the creation of his F3 Energy Drink, a product that claims to stand as a healthier alternative to traditional energy drinks. Mir, who gained recognition as a two-time UFC champion known for his remarkable submission skills, turned his focus to addressing the potential cardiovascular risks of conventional energy drinks after a close friend’s serious health scare.

Speaking candidly on the Matt Serra podcast, Mir shared how a friend’s heart issue served as the catalyst for his decision to enter the energy drink market. The friend, who had been consuming Red Bull and vodka mixers, was hospitalized due to the severe impact on her heart. Mir recounted the doctor’s alarming warning: “The doctor stopped and said ‘that’s actually worse than the other stuff you’re doing.’ He was like ‘you don’t realize how bad these energy drinks are on your cardiovascular system, on your heart.’”

Of course, this doesn’t address the fact that the most dangerous part of the equation is mixing these two – not the energy drink itself. Mixing alcohol and energy drinks is dangerous because the caffeine in energy drinks can mask alcohol’s sedative effects, making you feel more alert and leading to excessive drinking, which increases the risk of alcohol poisoning. This combination also strains the heart, as alcohol depresses while caffeine stimulates, potentially causing an irregular heartbeat or high blood pressure. Both substances contribute to dehydration, worsening hangover symptoms and overall physical strain. These unpredictable interactions can result in severe health risks, including blackouts, seizures, or long-term damage.

This conversation set Mir on a mission to develop a drink that would not only be safer for his family but also provide a healthier option for those seeking an energy boost. “Can we make it to where these energy drinks my kids could drink them?” Mir asked during his development process. “Let’s make it to where it’s something that’s healthy.”

F3 Energy Drink, the result of this mission, is caffeine-powered by green tea extract, offering a natural alternative to synthetic caffeine found in many conventional energy drinks. “From the green tea extract is where we get the caffeine,” Mir explained, emphasizing that the drink was created with his own children in mind. “I don’t feel guilty or weird for my kid grabbing one.”

This is also wildly out there was far as claims go. Children should avoid caffeine and caffeinated beverages because their developing bodies are more sensitive to its effects, which can lead to issues like jitteriness, increased heart rate, and difficulty sleeping. Caffeine can also disrupt natural energy levels, making it harder for kids to concentrate or maintain a healthy sleep routine, which is crucial for growth and learning. Additionally, caffeinated drinks often contain high amounts of sugar or artificial additives, contributing to unhealthy weight gain and dental problems. Regular caffeine consumption can create dependency, making it harder for children to regulate their energy without it. Prioritizing water, milk, or natural juices ensures kids get proper hydration and nutrients without the negative side effects of caffeine.

Further, Green tea extract contains caffeine, and excessive intake can lead to side effects similar to those caused by synthetic caffeine, including anxiety, tremors, irritability, and sleep disturbances. Some studies suggest that green tea extract may offer health benefits, such as improved brain function and fat loss. However, high doses can still pose health risks, particularly concerning liver health.

Beyond the energy drink, Mir also created a line of “mood drinks” designed to promote rest and recovery. These drinks contain ingredients like GABA, which are known for their relaxation and calming effects. In line with his focus on recovery, Mir highlighted the importance of balancing training with proper rest: “Train less, train smarter, got to recover,” he noted. “Rest and recovery is so important. Everybody thinks ‘oh train harder, train harder’ – like no, no.”

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) drinks, often marketed as relaxation aids or mood enhancers, can pose the risk of dependency if consumed regularly over an extended period. GABA is a neurotransmitter that inhibits neural activity, promoting calmness and reducing stress. However, frequent external supplementation can potentially interfere with the brain’s natural production of GABA, leading to a reliance on these drinks to achieve the desired state of relaxation. Over time, this dependency may result in diminished effectiveness of the supplement and a possible rebound effect, where individuals experience heightened stress or anxiety when not consuming the product.

Mir even went on to say that he mixes his GABA recovery drink with Vodka:

‘I’ll get a vodka and mix it with my mood drink, which makes more sense. A lot of people I see mix an alcoholic drink with an energy drink, and I’m like, “Wait a minute, alcohol is a depressant, and the energy drink is a stimulant.” So, what direction are you trying to go? Up? Down? Sideways?’

GABA is not inherently designed to counteract the depressant effects of alcohol. Combining the two can lead to unpredictable effects, including enhanced sedation, impaired motor skills, and even dependency risks over time. The claim that this mix “makes more sense” than the stimulant-depressant cocktail of energy drinks and alcohol is misleading at best. Both combinations have the potential to strain the body, disrupt natural neurochemical processes, and encourage unsafe consumption habits.

As someone promoting a wellness-focused brand, Mir’s casual approach to combining alcohol with his products undermines the credibility of his health-conscious messaging.

Frank Mir’s transition from the UFC octagon to the health and wellness market with F3 Energy Drink is a bold move that highlights his desire to address perceived gaps in the industry. However, his narrative of creating a “healthier” energy drink for all—kids included—raises critical questions about the broader implications of promoting caffeine consumption, even in natural forms. While F3’s focus on green tea extract and mood-enhancing ingredients like GABA may appeal to health-conscious consumers, the potential risks, such as dependency and the overlooked dangers of caffeine for children, demand a more thorough conversation.

Whether F3 lives up to its promise of being a safer alternative or simply taps into a growing trend, only time (and informed choices) will tell.

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