Top 10 Energy Drinks: The Best of the Worst (2024)

Some of the most popular energy drinks contain the most caffeine and added sugar. WSS contributor Mohana Sunkara ’23 ranks these drinks from best to worst.

Energy drinks have made their way into one of the most popular dietary supplements. The popularity of energy drinks has increased significantly since 2020global sales peaked at a total of 57.4 billion.More than ever, people are relying on the caffeine content of energy drinks to keep them going all day.Men aged 18-24 make up the majorityof energy drink consumers, and then we have a third of 12-17 year olds who are also addicted to them.

Despite this new popularity, one notable aspect of these energy drinks that is often overlooked is their nutritional value. Energy drinks are best known for their caffeine and sugar content.

“The caffeine in energy drinks gives a false sense of energy,” says Ashley Pearson, a registered dietitian nutritionist.Adenosine binds to neurons in the brainto reduce the neuron's excitability, which in turn decreases the amount of dopamine and other stimulant chemicals released, resulting in drowsiness. When caffeine enters the body, it binds to the same receptors on the neuron that adenosine binds to. Caffeine blocks the binding of adenosine to the neuron, keeping the body energized.

Although caffeine is used to increase energy, large amounts can lead to insomnia and an increase in anxiety, blood pressure and heart rate. Recommended caffeine intake varies from person to person depending on age, body weight and health status. It is recommended that teenagers do not exceed the 100 mg dosage and that adults do not consume more than 400 mg per day.

One way to become more aware of your caffeine intake is to read the nutrition facts. An energy drink can sometimes contain two or three servings, which means doubling or tripling the nutritional facts listed. Pearson said“Limiting the amount of energy drinks you drink is the best way. That's all I would recommend to people. There isn't one that is better than the other, but I would try to find ones that have less caffeine.”

Some energy drinks indicate that they are sugar-free. However, the content that replaces the sugar is artificial sweetener or sugar alcohol. Although artificial sweeteners contain zero calories and sugar alcohols are low in calories, they are not necessarily good for you. The human body is already accustomed to digesting and using real sugar,but when it comes to sugar alcoholsthe body treats them like fibers and doesn't actually break them down. This can cause some people to pass gas.

“In addition to caffeine and sugar content, there are a lot of other things, like vitamins and minerals, that are in excess of what you necessarily need. Often the nutrition label will say 200-300% of your daily value of certain things , and it's not necessarily good for your body to get too much of that stuff. And then there are some that contain other ingredients that haven't been fully tested in the United States yet," Pearson said. Along with what Pearson said, consuming too much of anything is never good for you. Everything should be done in moderation.

Here is a ranking of the 10 worst energy drinks, based on caffeine, sugar and vitamin content respectively.

10. Focushulp

Focus Aid is not a well-known energy drink, but it appears to be one of the better options. It contains half the caffeine content of the most popular energy drinks such as Celsius and Alani Nu. Focus Aid contains 100 mg of caffeine (recommended intake for a 12-17 year old and a quarter of the recommended intake for an adult) and contains 7 grams of added sugar (14% of the recommended intake) per serving. be able to. It has perfect vitamin B6 (100%) and niacin (100%) levels, but exceeds vitamin B12 levels by resting at 375%.

9. Celsius

Celsius, one of the most beloved energy drinks, contains 200 mg of caffeine for a 12 oz can. It contains zero grams of sugar. The reason Celsius is listed below Alani Nu is because of the natural sweeteners Celsius uses. Although it naturally contains caffeine, it still exceeds the recommended amount of caffeine for 12-17 year olds and contains half the recommended amount for adults. At the same time, Celsius exceeds the recommended percentage for vitamin B6 (118%), vitamin B12 (250%) and niacin (125%).

8. The orange

Promoted by several fitness influencers, Alani Nu has built a renowned brand. The caffeine content of the 12 oz can is often looked at. Alani Nu has 200 mg of caffeine and no sugars. The sweetness in this energy drink comes from the two grams of sugar alcohol and Sucralose. When it comes to vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and niacin; this energy drink exceeds the recommended value by providing 110% of the daily intake for each.

7. Zoë

Zoa is Dwayne Johnson's energy drink. It contains 160 mg of caffeine and zero grams of sugar per serving. 16 oz. The sweetness in Zoa comes from Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium. It contains exactly the recommended amounts of vitamin B6 (100%), vitamin B12 (100%) and niacin (100%).

6. C4 Energy

A C4 energy drink contains 200 mg of caffeine and no added sugars per serving. 16 oz. To add sweetness to the drink; Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium and Stevia Leaf Extract have been added. The 16 oz can of C4 Energy contains 250% vitamin B12 and 190% niacin. The percentage of vitamin B6 is not indicated.

5. Red Bull

Red Bull is known as one of the unhealthiest energy drinks. But why? Red Bull contains 151 mg of caffeine and 51 grams of added sugar (101% of recommended intake) for a 16 oz can. In addition, it exceeds the percentage of recommended vitamins/minerals. It contains 470% vitamin B6, 160% vitamin B12 and 190% niacin.

4. Monster

It should come as no surprise that Monster is one of the worst energy drinks. It contains 160 mg of caffeine and 54 grams of added sugar (108% of the recommended amount) per serving. 16 oz. In addition, it towers above the recommended vitamin and mineral requirements. It contains 240% vitamin B6, 500% vitamin B12 and 250% Niacin.

3. Rock star

It was difficult to place Rockstar on this ranking because it has the most added sugars, but not the highest levels of caffeine. Rockstar was placed here due to its significant drop in caffeine content compared to Reign and Bang. Rockstar contains 160 mg of caffeine per 16 oz, and while smaller than Alani Nu and Celsius, it contains 63 grams of added sugar (126% of suggested intake), which dwarfs the sugar levels of any other energy drink in this ranking. Rockstar has 100% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and niacin.

2. Bang

Bang sits right next to Reign with 300mg of caffeine and zero grams of sugar per serving. 16 oz. However, sucralose is still used to sweeten the drink. Bang does not exceed the recommended values ​​of 30% vitamin B6, 60% vitamin B12 and 30% Niacin that you should consume in a day.

1. Government

First up, the unhealthiest energy drink is Reign, which contains 300 mg of caffeine and zero grams of sugar in 16 oz. Although they are said to contain zero grams of sugar, they do require sweetening the drink with something, hence Sucralose, an artificial sweetener. Reign is ranked worse than Bang, who is the next worse in these rankings. Reign exceeded vitamin B6 levels by 120%, vitamin B12 by 250% and niacin by 130% recommended percentages.

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