What is NRG in Loaded Tea and is it safe?

January 12, 2026 •

4 min read

While standard tea is often praised for its health benefits, loaded teas often pack a powerful stimulant punch, largely due to a supplement known as NRG. Specifically, NRG stands for Nature's Raw Guarana, a product by Herbalife that provides a caffeine-based energy boost. However, this is just one piece of the puzzle behind the potent effects of these popular, and often controversial, beverages.

Quick Summary

This article explores the nature of the NRG supplement, its key components like guarana and caffeine, and its role in creating loaded teas, including the associated health implications and lack of FDA regulation. It details the difference between loaded tea and traditional tea while outlining potential side effects.

Key Points

NRG stands for Nature's Raw Guarana: It is an Herbalife supplement, not a natural tea ingredient, used to create loaded teas.
Guarana is the main energy source: The guarana seed extract in NRG provides a significant caffeine boost, increasing mental alertness and concentration.
Loaded tea is a cocktail of supplements: The drinks combine NRG with other Herbalife products, flavorings, and sweeteners, not just a simple tea brew.
Caffeine levels are extremely high: A single loaded tea can have as much as 200 mg of caffeine, nearly double that of a typical coffee.
Products are not FDA-regulated: As dietary supplements, the ingredients and dosages of NRG and other components are not strictly regulated, posing a health risk.
Excessive caffeine has risks: High intake can lead to increased heart rate, anxiety, jitters, and digestive issues.
Marketing can be misleading: 'Nutrition clubs' often use opaque marketing to sell these products without disclosing their full ingredient list or high stimulant content.

What is NRG in loaded tea?

NRG in loaded tea refers to Herbalife's Nature's Raw Guarana Instant Tea mix, a key ingredient added to create the high-caffeine and stimulant-packed beverages served at independent 'nutrition clubs'. This powder provides a significant energy boost through its combination of guarana seed extract, orange pekoe tea, and added caffeine. While branded simply as a refreshing tea, its primary purpose in a loaded tea is to contribute to the high concentration of stimulants, often in addition to other powdered tea concentrates and energy tablets.

The key components of NRG

The NRG Instant Tea is specifically formulated with several components to achieve its energizing effect:

Guarana Seed Extract: This extract is the source of the name "Nature's Raw Guarana". Guarana is a plant native to the Amazon and its seeds contain high concentrations of caffeine. Guarana's caffeine content is known to increase mental alertness and concentration.
Orange Pekoe Extract: A common variety of black tea, orange pekoe adds a traditional tea flavor and its own natural caffeine to the mix.
Natural Caffeine Powder: Beyond the caffeine from guarana and orange pekoe, additional caffeine is included in the powdered mix to enhance the stimulant effect.
Natural Flavoring and Maltodextrin: Ingredients like lemon peel flavor and maltodextrin (a carbohydrate) are used to create the desired taste and texture.

The composition of a loaded tea

A typical loaded tea from a 'nutrition club' is not just a simple brew of tea and the NRG mix. It is a complex concoction with multiple layers of powdered supplements.

How loaded teas are made

Loaded teas are created by mixing a variety of supplements, not just one. The standard formula includes:

A powdered Herbal Tea Concentrate (like Herbalife's) for a baseline of caffeine.
The NRG (Nature's Raw Guarana) Instant Tea mix for an additional caffeine and stimulant boost.
A Liftoff energy tablet (also from Herbalife) containing more stimulants, B vitamins, and artificial ingredients.
Sugar-free flavored syrups and water to complete the drink.

This multi-layered approach explains how a single 32-ounce loaded tea can contain between 160 and 200 mg of caffeine, and sometimes significantly more, far exceeding a standard cup of coffee.

Potential health concerns and side effects

The combination of potent stimulants in loaded tea raises numerous health concerns, particularly regarding excessive caffeine intake and the unregulated nature of dietary supplements. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the individual ingredients or dosages in proprietary supplement blends, which are often used to make loaded teas.

Side effects of high caffeine consumption

Excessive consumption of caffeine from loaded teas can lead to a range of adverse effects:

Cardiovascular Issues: These can include increased heart rate, heart palpitations, and elevated blood pressure.
Neurological Problems: Jitters, anxiety, irritability, and insomnia are common side effects.
Gastrointestinal Distress: Upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea can occur due to caffeine's effect on the digestive system.

Loaded Tea vs. Traditional Tea: A Comparison

To understand the true nature of loaded tea and its NRG component, a comparison with traditional, brewed tea is essential.


Feature	Loaded Tea (with NRG)	Traditional Tea (e.g., Green/Black)
Primary Purpose	High-stimulant energy and weight-management claims.	Hydration, antioxidant intake, and mild energy.
Key Ingredients	Powdered supplements, guarana, caffeine, B vitamins, artificial sweeteners, colorings.	Tea leaves (from Camellia sinensis), water.
Regulation	FDA classified as dietary supplements, not strictly regulated.	Generally regulated as a food product.
Caffeine Content	Very high (160–200mg+ per serving).	Moderate (25–100mg per serving).
Nutritional Value	Minimal nutritional value, low calories.	Rich in antioxidants and flavonoids.
Transparency	Often uses 'proprietary blends' without ingredient specifics.	Ingredients clearly labeled.
Associated Risks	High caffeine addiction, jitters, cardiovascular stress.	Very low risk when consumed in moderation.

A note on nutrition clubs and marketing

The term "loaded tea" is not a recognized industry standard but a branding term used by independent distributors of companies like Herbalife. These distributors often operate under the guise of local 'nutrition clubs,' which can misleadingly suggest their products are locally sourced and healthy. This multi-level marketing structure means there is no uniform standard for how the drinks are prepared, and customers may not be fully informed about the specific ingredients or dosages they are consuming. The lack of transparency and regulation is a significant point of concern for health professionals.

Conclusion

NRG in loaded tea is the Herbalife supplement Nature's Raw Guarana, a key source of the high caffeine content found in these beverages. While marketed as a healthy energy boost, loaded teas are essentially a cocktail of unregulated dietary supplements that carry significant health risks associated with excessive stimulant consumption. Unlike traditional tea, which offers genuine health benefits, loaded teas lack transparency and can lead to adverse side effects like jitters, increased heart rate, and anxiety. Consumers should be aware of the stimulant content and exercise caution, treating them more like energy drinks rather than a healthy tea.

An authoritative source on the dangers of high-caffeine beverages can be found at the U.S. Pharmacist article on Loaded Teas.

Frequently Asked Questions

While guarana is a plant extract, the NRG in loaded tea is a highly processed powdered supplement mixed with other additives and high doses of caffeine. Calling it a 'natural' tea can be misleading, as it is a manufactured energy booster.

NRG (Nature's Raw Guarana) is a specific powdered supplement product from Herbalife. A loaded tea is the final beverage, which includes NRG along with other Herbalife products like a tea concentrate and energy tablets.

The high caffeine content can cause jitters, anxiety, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and digestive issues like stomach upset and nausea. Excessive consumption can lead to caffeine addiction.

While some claim it aids weight management, the effect is primarily due to the high stimulant content boosting metabolism and suppressing appetite temporarily. However, these products are not regulated for such claims and carry significant health risks that may outweigh any perceived benefits.

The caffeine content can vary widely, but a standard 32-ounce loaded tea containing NRG can have 160-200 mg or more, depending on the specific ingredients added.

Due to the lack of FDA regulation and transparency regarding ingredients and dosages, health experts express concerns about their safety, comparing them to energy drinks. Consumers should exercise caution and be aware of the high stimulant levels.

Medical professionals strongly advise against children and adolescents consuming loaded teas due to the high caffeine content and potential negative effects on developing bodies and hormonal systems.