What’s in your energy drink?

What’s in your energy drink?

On April 15th, 2013, posted in: Blog by

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So I’m a little tired after lunch and need a pick-me-up. Something refreshing I think. The vending machine and local mart has a lot of options. I see entire cases dedicated to energy drinks. Perfect!Oh, but wait… I’m trying to be conscious of what I eat and drink. So, what to do? There’s Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, Amp, NOS and more. I can even buy a “shot” of many of these popular brands. Overwhelming? Yes.As a health conscious shopper I go to the back of the can and find the ingredients… 

So let’s focus on the three leaders in the industry:

Red Bull – Contains 80mgs of Caffeine per 8.46 ounce can which is considered moderate in the energy drink industry. 
Ingredients: Water, sucrose, glucose, acidifier sodium citrates, carbon dioxide, taurine (0.4%), glucuronolactone (0.24%), caffeine (0.03%), inositol, vitamins (niacin, pantothenic acid, B6, B12), flavourings, and colours (caramel, riboflavin).
Sugar content: 27 grams (per 8.46 ounces).

Monster – A whopping 160mg per 16 ounce can can.
Ingredients: (Monster Energy) Carbonated water, sucrose, glucose, citric acid, taurine, natural flavors, sodium citrate, l-carnitine, panax ginseng root extract, ascorbic acid, caffeine, sodium chloride, niacinamide, riboflavin, guarana seed extract, inositol, glucuronalactone, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cyanobalamin.
Sugar content: 54 grams (per 16 ounces).

Rockstar – Ties Monster at 160mg per 16 ounce can. 
Ingredients: (Rockstar Energy Drink) Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, citric acid, taurine, natural and artificial flavors, guarana seed extract, ascorbic acid, caramel color, sodium benzoate (preservative), potassium sorbate (preservative), caffeine, niacinamide, inositol, l-carnitine, milk thistle extract, ginkgo biloba leaf extract, calcium pantothenate, siberian ginseng root extract, cyanocobalamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride.
Sugar content: 60 grams (per 16 ounces).

With many ingredients that are hard to pronounce I have to wonder what these mixtures are really doing for me. And is this the best I can do for my body? 

So my search continues as I make my way out of the mart and into the healthy cafe down the street.

I land on Sambazon’s Amazon Energy. I don’t have to turn the can over to see the caffeine. It says 80mg per can in large print right on the front. And, the organic label on the can is a bonus.


So let’s take a look inside…
Ingredients – Sparkling Filtered Water, Organic Cane Syrup, Organic Acai Juice, Organic Acerola Juice (Water, Organic Acerola Concentrate), Organic Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Organic Guarana Extract, Guayaki Organic Yerba Mate Extract, Steaz Organic Green Tea Extract, Fruit and Vegetable Juice (For Color).Wow I actually know what these things are. That helps. Sugar content: 30 grams (per 12 ounce can). I had to look closely at the servings per can, not to be fooled, and came up with this number. So when my fresh green smoothie isn’t cutting it or I’m just feeling like a fizzy energy drink, I think I found one that won’t lay on my conscience (well not too much).

What are your favorite energy drinks? Are the ingredients and caffeine level important to you? 

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