US-based caffeinated water provider Avitae is set to launch ZÜM XR, a lower-calorie energy drink line made with extended-release caffeine.

The ZÜM XR will be unveiled at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Show, which will be held 18-21 October in Atlanta.

ZÜM XR comes with patented bead-based technology that regulates the release rate of caffeine within a consumer’s body after the drink is ingested.

"We’re excited to bring true innovation to the energy drink category."

The caffeine is released through time-release beads that will give consumers long-term energy for up to four hours, without the crash or unhealthy additives that most energy drinks contain.

ZÜM XR gives an initial caffeine lift identical to that of one and a half cups of coffee (125mg), before the beads slowly release an additional 125mg.

Avitae president and chief executive officer Norman E Snyder said: “We’re excited to bring true innovation to the energy drink category and provide consumers with a longer, sustained energy boost eliminating the crash associated with most energy drinks.

“ZÜM XR provides the same instant-go that our consumers love and expect, and thanks to bead-based technology, it will satisfy those looking for even more long-term energy in an all-natural beverage that doesn’t contain any of the artificial or confusing ingredients found in most energy drinks.”

The energy drink consisits of 70 calories and comes in Orange, Mixed Berry and Lemon Lime flavours.

It will be available in stores later this year and will retail for around $2.99 per 12-fluid-ounce (355ml) polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can.

It will be packaged in a can made from recycled, PET plastic, instead of aluminium.

Snyder added: “We chose PET plastic over aluminium for our packaging in order to give our consumers the opportunity to actually see the beverage and the beads that are the source of the extended-release caffeine.”