Something big may be brewing.
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| About 10 years ago, a DNA test confirmed what my body had been telling me for a while: I carry a variant of the CYP1A2 gene that makes me a slow caffeine metabolizer. CYP1A2 is the liver enzyme responsible for breaking down about 95% of the caffeine you consume, and many people carry the slow version. So I’ve always had to balance enjoying coffee with the prospect of jitters and broken sleep if I drink too much. |
| Maybe Kim Kardashian is betting on this characteristic with a new energy drink called Update, because its headline ingredient isn’t caffeine, but something your body makes every time you drink a cup. Below, we unpack what paraxanthine actually is, what the early science says, and whether this caffeine-free energy drink lives up to the hype. |
| Below, we unpack what paraxanthine actually is, what the early science says, and whether this caffeine-free energy drink lives up to the hype. |
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Let’s look into it,
Tim Snaith
Newsletter Editor, Healthline |
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Written by Tim Snaith
April 9, 2026 • 3 min read |
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| Could paraxanthine replace your morning coffee? |
| When your liver breaks down caffeine, it splits it into three compounds. Paraxanthine is the main one, accounting for about 70% of what caffeine becomes. The other two, theobromine and theophylline, are largely responsible for the anxiety, jitters, and rapid heartbeat people associate with caffeine. |
| The idea behind Update is simple: deliver the energizing compound directly, skipping the ones that leave you feeling wired. Early studies suggest paraxanthine promotes alertness as effectively as caffeine, with lower toxicity at higher doses. It also appears to clear from the body faster, which could mean less sleep disruption. |
| Sounds great. So what’s the catch? The research is still early. Most of the evidence comes from animal and small, human studies, and there are no large-scale clinical trials yet. Registered dietitian Avery Zenker points out that caffeine has decades of data behind it, while paraxanthine is only beginning to be studied in products. |
| Update also contains alpha-GPC (a choline compound linked to cognitive function), L-theanine (an amino acid found in tea), vitamin B12, and sucralose. These are common energy drink ingredients, but experts note that quality human trials on some of these combinations are still lacking. |
| The bottom line: If you’re sensitive to caffeine, paraxanthine is an interesting ingredient to watch. But as dietitians remind us, no energy drink — however cleverly formulated — replaces quality sleep, regular exercise, and a balanced diet. If you do try one, start small and pay attention to how you feel. |
| Want to learn more about food, diets, cooking, or some other nutrition subject? Let us know at nutritionedition@healthline.com, and we’ll look into it for you! (Heads-up: We may use your response in an upcoming newsletter.) |
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| Until next time, |
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Take care of yourself, and we’ll see
you again soon! |
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