As the energy category evolves, sustained-release caffeine is gaining attention for its ability to deliver smoother, longer-lasting energy without the sharp crash or jittery side effects. But while this innovation marks a step forward from conventional caffeine, the ingredient leading the way in clean, consistent energy is paraxanthine.
What is Sustained-Release Caffeine?
Traditional caffeine is fast-acting but that also means fast-fading. Many users experience an initial burst of energy followed by fatigue, irritability, or a mid-day crash. Sustained-release caffeine is designed to solve that, using advanced delivery systems to slow absorption and extend energy over several hours.
In recent clinical studies, sustained-release caffeine ingredients like Xtenergy, CaffXtend, and zümXR have shown:
- 300–390% longer time to peak blood caffeine levels1,2
- Up to 65% longer half-life3
- More consistent energy, reduced jitteriness, and improved mood between 4–12 hours post-ingestion1,2
While these benefits offer improvement, they still rely on the body’s ability to metabolize caffeine efficiently—something that varies widely from person to person.
Why Paraxanthine Is One Step Ahead
Paraxanthine is the primary metabolite of caffeine—the compound your body naturally converts caffeine into to deliver its most desired effects: energy, focus, and alertness. But not everyone metabolizes caffeine the same way, which can lead to unpredictable results.
That’s where the metabolite paraxanthine makes a real difference.
“By delivering paraxanthine directly, we eliminate this variability [of caffeine metabolites] and provide a more consistent, predictable response,” explains Shawn Baier, VP of Business Development at TSI Group.
“This bypasses the potentially undesirable effects associated with caffeine’s other metabolites, allowing users to experience the primary benefits of caffeine—energy, focus, and alertness—without relying on individual metabolic efficiency.”
This means users get clean, controlled energy—without the jitters, crash, or overstimulation that often come with caffeine. Paraxanthine also avoids the sleep disruption and cortisol spikes associated with traditional or time-released caffeine sources.
And the benefits go beyond a better energy curve. A recent study comparing the cognitive effects of paraxanthine versus caffeine in trained runners found that paraxanthine significantly improved cognitive performance post-exercise4. Participants who took paraxanthine made fewer errors on the Berg-Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (BCST) compared to those who took caffeine or placebo. Researchers concluded that paraxanthine enhanced prefrontal cortex function, reduced cognitive fatigue, and improved reaction time and vigilance4.
“Additionally, paraxanthine exhibits mechanistic differences: it supports dopaminergic signaling, nitric oxide production, and inhibits PDE9, which may contribute to improved cerebral blood flow and neuroprotection,” adds Baier.
“Preclinical studies also show increased BDNF expression, associated with enhanced neuroplasticity and long-term cognitive resilience.”
Versatility in Formulation
Whether for pre-workout, daily focus, or on-the-go convenience, an ingredient’s ability to fit various formats matters. Sustained-release caffeine technologies like Xtenergy and CaffXtend have been praised for their compatibility with other ingredients and ease of use across capsules, powders, and drinks.
Baier notes that enfinity® – the branded, patent-pending form of paraxanthine is also highly versatile—22% less bitter than caffeine and water-soluble, making it ideal for powders, liquids, gummies, capsules, and more.
“Capsules and tablets remain popular in cognitive and general energy supplements, while stick packs, RTD beverages, shots, and powdered drink mixes are preferred in sports and active lifestyle products,” notes Soni, a formulator referenced in the original article. “The format often depends on the end use.”
Final Takeaway
Caffeine is here to stay—but it’s evolving. Innovations like sustained-release caffeine are helping reshape how we think about energy by offering longer-lasting focus with fewer side effects. But for those looking to go even further, paraxanthine offers a more targeted, efficient solution—delivering the primary benefits of caffeine without relying on how your body metabolizes it.
That’s where enfinity® comes in. As the first and only source of pure paraxanthine, enfinity® provides clean, consistent energy that supports focus, reaction time, and cognitive performance—without the crash, jitters, or overstimulation. It’s energy, evolved.
Click here to read the full article on this topic at Nutritional Outlook.
References:
- Morde, A.; Sudhakar, K.; Rambabu, M.; Shankar, A.; Rai, D.; Pawar, K.; Acharya, M.; Bakan, M.; et al. Pharmacokinetic profile of a novel sustained-release caffeine with extended benefits on alertness and mood: A randomized, double-blind, single-dose, active-controlled, crossover study. Current Research in Behavioral Sciences. 2021, 2, 100036. DOI: 10.1016/j.crbeha.2021.100036
- Thanawala, S.; Shah, R.; Abiraamasundari, R.; Senthurselvi, R.; Desomayanandam, P.Comparative Bioavailability and Benefits on Mental Functions of Novel Extended-Release Caffeine Capsules against Immediate-Release Caffeine Capsules: An Open-Label, Randomized, Cross-over, Single-Dose Two-Way Crossover Study. Journal of Dietary Supplements. 2023, 21 (1), 13-27. DOI:10.1080/19390211.2022.2160529. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36602880/
- Kalman, D.; Hewlings, S.; Lee, R.; Foster, R.; Morton, K.A24 A comparative pharmacokinetic evaluation of caffeine in two different delivery vehicles in healthy adults. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2018, 15 (Suppl 1), 1-37. DOI:10.1186/s12970-018-0256-5
- Yoo, C.; Xing, D.; Gonzalez, D.E.; Jenkins, V.; Nottingham, K.; Dickerson, B.; Leonard, M.; Ko, J.; et al. Paraxanthine provides greater improvement in cognitive function than caffeine after performing a 10-km run. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2024, 21(1), 2352779. DOI:10.1080/15502783.2024.2352779. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38725238/