Alpha GPC In Focus/energy Drinks: The Ingredient Name Doesn't Tell You Much

So a label such as “focus drink” or “hydration drink” does not necessarily tell you what the complete formula looks like.

A better way to judge these products is to ask a few simple questions.

1. Is the Alpha GPC amount actually disclosed?

Sometimes Alpha GPC appears in the ingredient list without an individual amount.

If it is included in a proprietary blend, the total weight of that blend should not be treated as the Alpha GPC dose.

Ingredient presence and ingredient dose are not the same thing.

1. What does the number actually describe?

Labels may use wording such as:

Alpha GPC Alpha GPC 50% choline from Alpha GPC

These numbers should not automatically be compared as if they mean exactly the same thing.

The important question is:

What exactly is the milligram amount measuring?

1. What else is in the drink?

This is probably the biggest issue.

If a drink contains both Alpha GPC and caffeine, and someone feels more focused or alert after drinking it, that does not prove Alpha GPC caused the effect.

The whole formula was consumed.

Caffeine, Alpha GPC, and other active ingredients may all be part of the experience.

So instead of asking only:

“Does this drink contain Alpha GPC?”

a more useful question is:

“What exactly is in one complete serving?”

The same principle applies to many nootropic and functional beverages where one ingredient gets most of the attention.