As Red Bull is a carbonated drink that contains energy-boosting ingredients, it’s no surprise if Red Bull is your go-to energy drink with its claims to give you energy and improve cognitive and physical abilities.
Does Red Bull Contain Alcohol? (Mor... Does Red Bull Contain Alcohol? (More Info)
With that said, you might still be wondering how Red Bull gives you energy? Is it safe to drink it every day? What are the side effects of Red Bull?
Red Bull has minimal caffeine, so it won’t cause a crash or negative side effects if you drink it moderately. Its energy boost can last a few hours, however, it does have substantial added sugar that is not recommended for diabetics or those who are trying to lose weight.
Red Bull’s energy-boosting properties are from its caffeine and calories, and it’s safe to drink up to 1 can of Red Bull per day, and any more than that would be excessive caffeine and sugar.
As for the short-term and long-term effects of Red Bull, read on to find out.
Table of Contents
Red Bull Ingredients List
For starters, let’s take a look at the ingredients of a can of Red Bull.

Here is a breakdown of the ingredients of a can of Red Bull
- Sugars
- Taurine
- Caffeine
- Glucuronolactone
- Inositol
- Niacin
- D-Pantothenol
- Pyridoxine HCL
- Vitamin B-12
- Artificial Colors & Flavors
Red Bull comes in different can sizes, which contain different amounts of sugar and caffeine. Below is a table that shows the sugar and caffeine content of each can size.
Can Size | Sugar | Caffeine |
8.4 fl.oz | 26g | 77.4mg |
12 fl.oz | 37g | 110.7mg |
16 fl.oz | 49g | 147.6mg |
Red Bull Nutrition Facts
Here are the nutritional facts of a can of Red Bull:Nutritional Facts Amount Total Fat 0.4g Sodium 187mg Potassium 14.8mg Total Carbohydrate 54g Sugar 49g Protein 1.2g Caffeine 147.6mg Calcium 6%
Do Energy Drinks Cause Health Problems?
Excessive energy drink consumption can lead to short-term and long-term complications due to its ingredients such as caffeine and sugar.
These health effects include but are not limited to, caffeine overdose, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, dehydration, and heart palpitations.
Unfortunately, there haven’t been enough studies to provide any conclusive evidence on whether the ingredients of energy drinks cause any minor or major health issues.
Still, it’s worth noting that due to the high levels of sugar in energy drinks, they may also have an adverse effect on the body’s metabolism and cause issues with cholesterol, blood sugar, and weight over time.
How Does Caffeine Affect You?

According to the FDA, the caffeine limit of an adult is 400mg, so as long as you stay below the limit you should be fine.
Since energy drinks contain varying amounts of caffeine, it’s good practice to check the label to see the caffeine content, and always assess how much caffeine you can handle before grabbing a drink off the shelf.
Excessive caffeine intake can lead to negative side effects, such as:
- Jitteriness
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- High blood pressure
That said, how you react to caffeine would largely depend on your metabolism, which determines your caffeine tolerance. With a high tolerance of caffeine, you’d have no trouble drinking it in high amounts.
However, if you have a low tolerance, you’ll most likely feel the full effects of caffeine even without drinking the full dosage.
What Are The Side Effects of Energy Drinks?
There have been numerous studies on the effects of the ingredients of energy drinks, and I’ve listed some of the more prominent side effects down below:
Though if you’re wondering if Red Bull is Bad for you, you can check this article I’ve written previously.
Caffeine Overdose
A naturally occurring stimulant, caffeine is incredibly prevalent in daily beverages; coffee, tea, and energy drinks.
As stated above, the average caffeine limit is 400mg. But this may vary depending on tolerance, body mass, and age.
Here are some symptoms of a caffeine overdose?
- Hypertension
- Hypotension
- Agitation
- Abnormal Pulse Rate
- Abdominal Pain
- Vomiting
Type-2 Diabetes
Energy drinks usually have high sugar content. And this may be detrimental to your health if you drink energy drinks in excess.
There is an increase of 14% whenever an adult consumes at least 1 or 2 sweetened beverages every day, and this is the case for Red Bull as well as it contains quite a far bit of sugar.
Cavities
With sugar comes damage to the teeth as sugar can cause the tooth enamel, the outer coating of the tooth that’s usually hard and sturdy to corrode, which makes the teeth vulnerable to decay, causing cavities.
Energy drinks, including Red Bull, are acidic beverages, and these acids coupled with the sugar can cause significant and irreversible damage to the tooth enamel.
Frequent and excessive intake of energy drinks may cause tooth damage. So always drink in moderation and don’t forget to brush your teeth.
Affects Kidney Health
A study showed that there’s a correlation between high sugar consumption and an increased likelihood of chronic kidney disease (CKD) as sugar can increase your blood pressure and heart rate.
Looking at the amount of sugar in Red Bull, the risk of it affecting your kidney health is prevalent if you don’t moderate your consumption.
What Are The Benefits Of Red Bull?
Red Bull contains Taurine, B-Vitamins, and Inositol. These have various effects and benefits to the body when ingested or consume.
Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid that’s naturally produced in your body, found in the lower intestine, being a major component of bile. It’s also an antioxidant that aids the body in moving minerals around.
While there are infamous rumors regarding the source of Taurine, the Taurine in Red Bull is not from such a source and is safe to be consumed.
Vitamin B-Complex
There are four B-Vitamins inside Red Bull:
- Niacin (B3)
- D-Pantothenol (B5)
- Pyridoxine HCL (B6)
- Cobalamin (B12)
The four B-Vitamins found in Red Bull are water-soluble, which are a type of vitamin that’s not stored for long, where whatever that’s not used by the body would get disposed of.
These vitamins are beneficial for you as they can contribute to your overall metabolism, improve your mood, and help form red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body.
If you’re interested in finding out more about vitamins, you can check out this article written by Harvard.
Inositol
It is a sugar, more precisely known as Myo-inositol. This sugar is commonly found inside the body and in certain types of foods.
Inositol is a definite mood-booster to the brain. It aids the brain in utilizing the serotonin within the body. Moreover, it helps provide structure to the cells and helps the chemical messengers inside the brain.
Is Red Bull Safe To Drink Everyday?

As long as you drink one can of Red Bull, you are pretty much safe. However, I wouldn’t advise you to drink any more than that due to the caffeine and sugar content of Red Bull.
Remember, always assess your caffeine tolerance, as a small can of Red Bull contains 77.4mg, which may be just the right amount for you, but not for others.
To be safe, a can a day, is a safe volume of consumption for an average adult.
What Happens If You Drink Red Bull Everyday?
While there are no known short-term complications linked to drinking Red Bull every day, there are, however, a few linked long-term issues that may arise in continuous consumption of Red Bull.
Here’s a list of potential complications of daily consumption:
- Addiction
- Insomnia
- Nervousness
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heart palpitations
- Hormonal Imbalances
- Obesity
- Cavities
So always be mindful of your health. There is a sugar-free version of Red Bull that you can definitely check out. And here is a more in-depth article on if you can drink Red Bull every day.
Does Red Bull Affect Your Brain?
Drinking an energy drink does not entail any form of brain damage whatsoever.
However, continuous consumption of a high amount of caffeine may alter your brain function, such as modifying how your brain detects adenosine levels, the chemical that makes you calm or drowsy.
What Does Red Bull Do To Your Stomach?
Drinking too much Red Bull can lead to acid reflux, which can cause heartburn, cramps, and in some cases, nausea.
Whenever you drink a beverage that has caffeine in it, your body produces excess acid to compensate. This can lead to high acidity levels in your stomach.
Inflammation of the gut may happen, which can lead to discomfort and pain. In more severe cases, gastroenteritis, which is the swelling of the intestinal lining.
Is Red Bull Bad For Your Liver?
There are no known direct causes for liver damage inside a can of Red Bull.
The only known ingredient that may cause any complications with the liver is Niacin (B3). Overdosing in Niacin may be responsible for developing Hepatitis.
Excessive drinking of energy drinks may also cause acute liver toxicity due to the different ingredients: caffeine, B-vitamins, and taurine.
Alternatives To Red Bull:
There are a lot of options in the market right now. So if Red Bull may not be your thing, you can definitely check out these other brands.
- Monster
- Rockstar
- Bang
- Venom
- C4 Energy Drink
REIZE Energy Drink
Another favorite energy drink of mine is REIZE Energy Drink.
It comes in a small packet, that is pretty dandy, allowing you to take it anywhere.
Besides that, it’s sugar-free and only has 50mg of caffeine, which I find to be just the right amount of caffeine to give me the boost.
Plus, you can get REIZE shipped to your door for only about $1 per drink.That’s a good value for money!
Give REIZE a try, and you might find that it’s the best energy drink for keeping you energized and alert for the day.
Other Articles:
- Does Red Bull Really Give You Energy?
- Red Bull Energy Drink Nutrition Facts
- Red Bull Energy Drink Review
- Healthiest energy drinks (list)
Have other questions about Red Bull?
I’ve put together this epic Red Bull resource directory where you’ll find everything you could ever want to know about Red Bull energy drink.
FAQs
What does Red Bull do to your stomach? ›
Energy drinks can cause gastritis in people who consume them regularly. Gastritis can lead to symptoms like inflammation in the gut, discomfort, bleeding, and ulcers. Because of their extremely high levels of caffeine, the stomach produces excess acid to compensate for energy drinks.
Is Red Bull bad for the Liver? ›Consumption of excess energy drinks has been linked to several instances of clinically apparent acute liver injury which can be severe and result in fatal or urgent liver transplantation.
What are the unhealthy ingredients in Red Bull? ›Sucrose and glucose are the two types of sugar in Red Bull, and are the main reasons we consider this energy drink to be unhealthy. found that excess added sugar consumption is associated with increased risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and more.
How long does Red Bull stay in your system? ›Caffeine achieves its half-life after about six hours, meaning that 50% of the caffeine has left the bloodstream. For most people, all the caffeine will have been removed from their bloodstream twelve hours after drinking their Red Bull.
Is it OK if I drink Red Bull everyday? ›As Red Bull is sugar-sweetened — providing 29 grams of sugar in one 8.4-ounce (260-ml) serving — drinking one or more servings per day could increase your risk of type 2 diabetes ( 2 ).
What are the long term side effects of Red Bull? ›Several previous studies have shown that energy drinks may affect heart rhythm and blood pressure significantly. As energy drinks are sugar-sweetened beverages, long-term use may also affect the body's metabolism, including cholesterol, blood sugars, and weight.
Who should not drink Red Bull? ›If you want to avoid the negative health effects associated with energy drinks, and especially if you have high blood pressure and want to protect your heart, stay away from products like Red Bull and 5-Hour Energy. Instead, look to natural alternatives for boosting your energy levels.
What is more unhealthy Red Bull or coffee? ›Red Bull and coffee are ubiquitous caffeinated beverages that differ significantly in nutrient content but contain similar levels of caffeine. Due to its antioxidants and low calorie count, coffee may be a better choice if you consume caffeine daily. Red Bull is better enjoyed on occasion because of its added sugars.
Is Red Bull worse than soda? ›But sugar isn't the only thing to worry about, and that's what makes energy drinks potentially worse than soda. This fizzy drinks contain high amounts of caffeine, as well as such other stimulants as taurine, ginseng, and gaurana, according to Richter.
What does taurine do to your body? ›Taurine has important functions in the heart and brain. It helps support nerve growth. It might also benefit people with heart failure by lowering blood pressure and calming the nervous system. This might help prevent heart failure from becoming worse.
Why is taurine in energy drinks? ›
Taurine, which has chemistry similar to other amino acids, is important in several of the body's metabolic processes. Taurine is thought to have antioxidant properties.
What happens when you stop drinking Red Bull? ›Withdrawal symptoms you may experience with an energy drink addiction include headaches, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and a depressed mood ( 6 ). Often, these withdrawal symptoms are related to quitting caffeine, and they may last 2–9 days ( 6 ).
What are 10 negative effects of energy drinks? ›- Increased heart rate.
- High blood pressure.
- Heart palpitations.
- Insomnia.
- Dehydration.
- Restlessness.
Using Energy Drinks Responsibly
For the most popular, mass-marketed energy drinks out there, a limit of two servings per day seems reasonably safe for most healthy adults. For non-concentrated liquid energy drinks (like Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, etc.), this equates to about 16 ounces (500 ml) per day.
Health authorities across the world have concluded that Red Bull Energy Drink is safe to consume. Almost 10 billion cans were consumed last year and over 100 billion cans since Red Bull was created in 1987. One 250 ml can of Red Bull Energy Drink contains 80 mg of caffeine, the same amount as in a cup of coffee.
Why doesn't Red Bull give me energy? ›If you drink multiple caffeinated drinks without feeling a boost of energy, you may have a caffeine tolerance. A caffeine tolerance limits or completely blocks you from feeling the effects of caffeine.
Can I drink 2 Red Bulls in a day? ›How many Red Bulls should you drink in a day? It is recommended you only have one 8.4 fl. oz can of Red Bull a day and have it either before a workout or fairly early in the afternoon. Red Bull has minimal caffeine only but its sugar content can cause negative side effects if you consume too much.
What happens if you drink energy drinks everyday? ›Excessive or regular consumption of energy drinks can lead to heart arrhythmias, headaches, high blood pressure, and anxiety, Popeck says. In the US, more than 20,000 emergency room visits in 2011 were associated with energy drink use.
Is it safe to drink an energy drink everyday? ›As for most adults, up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day appears to be safe, according to the Mayo Clinic. “Healthy adults who choose to drink energy drinks should not exceed one can per day,” the Mayo Clinic's Zeratsky said.
Does Red Bull decrease sperm count? ›Results: According to our study, there is a correlation between energy drinks consumption and decreased ejaculate quality. Conclusion: systematic use of energy drinks has a negative impact on male reproductive function.
Which is healthier Monster or Red Bull? ›
The two brands are fairly equal in calories, protein, carbs, and caffeine, with each 8-ounce (240-ml) serving containing slightly less caffeine than the same amount of coffee ( 4 ). They're also full of added sugars, which make up the vast majority of their carb contents.
What are the pros and cons of drinking Red Bull? ›A few pros of consuming energy drinks are mood and attitude improvement, a better workout performance, a zero calories option, and the obvious energy boost. A few cons are they can become addictive, may cause health issues, weight gain, and sugar highs. Energy drinks can actually improve your cognitive functions.
Which energy drink is best? ›- Monster Energy Zero Sugar. Monster Energy Zero Sugar is one of the most popular energy drinks on the market, and for good reason. ...
- Red Bull Sugarfree. ...
- Rockstar Zero Carb. ...
- Amp Energy Original Sugar Free. ...
- NOS High Performance Energy Drink.
“Energy drinks have long been shown to cause an elevation in your heart and can trigger arrhythmias, such as Afib and rapid heart rate,” Parikh says. “However, it's very rare for an energy drink on its own to directly cause something such as coronary artery disease.
How many shots of coffee are in a Red Bull? ›Whether you drink espresso shots directly or in a cappuccino, each shot is only around 1 ounce (25 milliliters). Each shot of espresso packs around 68 milligrams of caffeine. You'd need to drink 8 espresso shots to get the same serving size as a Red Bull…which would be 544 milligrams of caffeine.
Is Red Bull worse than alcohol? ›What is worse for your body alcohol or energy drinks? Both. Alcohol will kill you slow and very painfully unless you die in an accident. Energy drinks will put you at risk of cardiac diseases, arrest, or sudden death.
What is the unhealthiest energy drink? ›Red Bull
Red Bull is known to be one of the unhealthiest energy drinks. But why? Red bull contains 151 mg of caffeine and 51 grams of added sugar (101% of suggested intake) for a 16 oz can. Along with that, it exceeds the percentage of suggested vitamins/minerals.
- Tea. With flavors ranging from herbal, citrus and mint to floral and spiced, teas are available in naturally decaffeinated and caffeinated varieties. ...
- Matcha Green Tea. ...
- Yerba Mate. ...
- Teeccino. ...
- Kombucha.
Red Bull also has less sugar and calories than Monster drinks, making it an ideal option for anyone counting calories. However, Monster drinks are usually priced lower than Red Bull, giving you more product and more caffeine. But Monster will likely give you more of a caffeine boost, given its total caffeine content.
Does water give you energy? ›You may be wondering, “does water give you energy?” Water gives you energy by helping to prevent symptoms such as fatigue and tiredness that come with dehydration. Drinking a glass of water, even with an oral rehydration solution (ORS), won't give you an energy boost unless you're suffering from dehydration.
What's worse Red Bull or Diet Coke? ›
The Diet Coke is worse, due to containing fizz-preserving, Phosphoric Acid. Red Bull is a dehydrating drink, so both has their own respective evils.
What are the bad side effects of taurine? ›...
Side effects and precautions
- vomiting.
- nausea.
- liver pain.
- headache.
- stomach pain.
It can make your kidneys work harder. In children, single amino acid supplements may cause growth problems. You shouldn't take high doses of single amino acids for long periods of time. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding shouldn't use taurine supplements.
What foods are high in taurine? ›The highest amounts of taurine can be found in shellfish, especially scallops, mussels, and clams. High amounts of taurine can also be found in the dark meat of turkey and chicken, and turkey bologna.
What does taurine do to your heart? ›In humans, taurine has shown anti-inflammatory effects, blood pressure regulation, and at high levels, may protect against coronary heart disease (CAD) [4].
Is taurine good or bad? ›Taurine is vital for a person's overall health. It is one of the most abundant amino acids in the muscle tissue, brain, and many other organs in the body. Taurine plays a role in several essential body functions, such as: regulating calcium levels in certain cells.
What is the difference between taurine and taurine? ›Taurine is an amino acid that does not polarize light. It thus is properly called just “Taurine”, without L or D configurations. While some label Taurine as “L-Taurine”, that name is not technically correct. “Taurine” is the same exact molecule and form as what is commonly mislabeled as “L-Taurine”.
Why is Red Bull addictive? ›Energy drink is addictive because it causes the brain to release dopamine, the feel-good hormone. Energy drinks are beverages that contain high amounts of sugar, caffeine, and other stimulants. The most common uses of these drinks are to increase physical performance, improve mental alertness, and boost energy levels.
How do you get Red Bull out of your system? ›Drink lots of water, take a walk, practice deep breathing and wait it out.
How long does Red Bull withdrawal last? ›Someone who abruptly stops caffeine intake after regular use will usually feel withdrawal effects between 12 and 24 hours after stopping. The peak of withdrawal effects usually occurs between 24 and 51 hours. If you regularly consume caffeine, caffeine withdrawal will likely affect you at some point.
What damage can Red Bull cause? ›
Energy drinks have been known to dehydrate your body, especially if used while exercising. High levels of sugar and caffeine may produce symptoms including irritability, anxiety, sleeplessness, and nausea severe enough to require hospitalization.
What effects does Red Bull have on the brain? ›Red bull contains many ingredients that have adverse effects on the brain such as anxiety, stress, hyper movement headache, fatigue (11-12) depression, sleep disturbance, mood change and irritable (13-14).
How long does Red Bull last? ›The effects of Red Bull can last from one to four hours before wearing off and vary from person to person depending on body type, caffeine tolerance, and any health-related issues.
How many Redbulls a week is safe? ›So, how many energy drinks is too many? According to experts, healthy adults should limit their energy drink intake to roughly one can per day because they are loaded with synthetic caffeine, sugar, and other unnecessary ingredients that can do more harm than good.
Does Red Bull have health benefits? ›Benefits of Taurine – The Cardiovascular System
Taurine seems to benefit the cardiovascular system by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that taurine can reduce apolipoproteins and lipids in cells. These are risk factors for both coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis [13].
Large amounts of caffeine may cause serious heart and blood vessel problems such as heart rhythm disturbances and increases in heart rate and blood pressure. Caffeine also may harm children's still-developing cardiovascular and nervous systems.
Is Red Bull Bad for empty stomach? ›Even taken alone, energy drinks can have serious side effects. Taking energy drinks on an empty stomach can make side effects worse. Energy drinks are not a meal replacement.
Can Red Bull cause stomach bloating? ›And when it comes to those "zero calorie" energy drinks, know that they actually are sweetened, but with artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and sucralose. These hidden culprits have the potential to cause uncomfortable bloating, gas and diarrhea for certain people.
When should I drink Red Bull? ›Red Bull Energy Drink gives you wiiings whenever you need them – be it at work, during sports, while studying, playing a video game, when going out or visiting a festival, or on the road. Red Bull is the perfect companion for an active lifestyle.
What time should you stop drinking Red Bull? ›On average, most people should stop drinking caffeine four to six hours before bed. People who are especially sensitive to this stimulant may want to stop earlier in the day or avoid caffeine altogether.
What are the symptoms of drinking too much Red Bull? ›
High levels of sugar and caffeine may produce symptoms including irritability, anxiety, sleeplessness, and nausea severe enough to require hospitalization. One hidden danger of mixing alcohol and energy drinks is they may be unaware of how intoxicated they are and attempt to drive, or drink to extreme excess.
Does Red Bull cause inflammation? ›Energy Drinks
It may cause inflammation that can trigger stress, headache etc. A study suggests that excessive consumption of energy drinks can have adverse effects like cardiovascular effects, neurological effects, metabolic effects etc.
Your blood sugar levels will spike shortly after drinking a high-sugar energy drink, but the boost in energy will only last 30 to 60 minutes. After this, your blood sugar — and energy levels — will crash, leaving you feeling more tired than before. Symptoms of a sugar crash include: Tiredness.