We’ve all heard that “Red Bull gives you wings,” but what’s in this popular energy drink that makes you fly?
Caffeine is the main ingredient that lifts you, but the other ingredients help. With the largest market share among energy drinks, Red Bull is certainly the top dog, but that doesn’t necessarily make it healthy.
The original Red Bull (8.4 oz) contains 80 mg of caffeine. It also contains 27 grams of sugar and 105 milligrams of sodium, along with sucrose, glucose, artificial flavors, colors, and other additives.
Red Bull vs. Other Energy Drinks: Caffeine Levels
Energy drink sales in the United States reached about $19 billion in 2023, and they’re expected to continue to grow. Red Bull is the big dog in the market, accounting for almost half of all sales.
The second-most popular energy drink is Monster Energy. The original Monster Energy drink comes in a bigger serving size than Red Bull. Monster Energy has 166 mg of caffeine in a 16-ounce can.
When you compare apples to apples — 16 ounces of Red Bull would have 160 milligrams of caffeine — it seems Red Bull and Monster Energy are almost identical in terms of caffeine content.
Here’s how Red Bull compares to other caffeinated drinks:
Red Bull vs. Coffee: Caffeine Levels
When it comes to coffee, the amount of caffeine depends on several factors, like the coffee-to-water ratio when you brew the coffee, how you brew it, and the strength of the coffee bean itself.
For instance, traditionally brewed Vietnamese coffee contains a higher amount of caffeine because of the use of dark roast robusta beans and a slow extraction process using a traditional phin filter. Vietnamese coffee also typically has a high coffee-to-water ratio.
Comparison of Red Bull vs. Popular Coffees:
Risks & Side Effects of Red Bull
Studies warn that drinking energy drinks like Red Bull can cause the following effects:
- Atrial fibrillation
- Arterial dilation [2]
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Gastrointestinal upset [3]
- Muscle twitching and restlessness
- Problems with metabolism because of the large amounts of sugar, mainly in the form of sucrose, glucose, or high fructose corn syrup
- Increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes [3]
- Dehydration [4]
- Sodium imbalance [5]
- Dental problems from the high sugar content [6]
Heart Complications
Effects on the heart seem to be the most worrisome. Some studies show that energy drink consumption is accompanied by increases in blood pressure along with other serious cardiovascular events like atrial fibrillation — which even occurs in otherwise healthy subjects [7].
There don’t seem to be any long-term studies looking at frequent energy drink consumption. The added complication is that the exact composition of each energy drink isn’t fully known. That makes it hard to know what ingredient or combination of ingredients could cause problems.
Red Bull also contains high levels of taurine, which, when combined with caffeine, has been shown to exacerbate cardiac risks [1].
Related: Uses, Risks, & Long-Term Effects of Caffeine
High Sugar Content
One 8.4-ounce can of Red Bull has 27 grams of sugar. The American Heart Association recommends that men should consume no more than 36 grams of added sugar per day, and women should consume no more than 25 grams per day.
That means one can of Red Bull over the limit for women and close to the limit for men.
Caffeine Sensitivity
People react differently to caffeine. The published safe amount of caffeine per day is about 400 milligrams, but some individuals have what’s called caffeine sensitivity. This is not the same as being allergic to caffeine or having an intolerance — it’s an indicator of how much caffeine you can consume before feeling its effects.
Several factors may cause you to be sensitive to even small amounts of caffeine, including:
- Genetics
- How fast you metabolize caffeine
- No or low tolerance
Some of the unwanted effects of caffeine sensitivity are restlessness and sleep problems. Even small amounts may cause you to feel a rush of adrenaline, get a headache, feel jittery, have a racing heartbeat, and feel nervous or anxious.
If you feel these side effects on a regular basis after drinking caffeinated beverages like Red Bull, it may be time to cut back on your consumption. Stopping immediately can cause caffeine withdrawal symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and irritability.
FAQs: Caffeine in Red Bull
1. Can Red Bull be a substitute for coffee?
One can of Red Bull has about the same amount of caffeine as a small cup of coffee, so it could replace your regular java. However, Red Bull and other energy drinks contain high amounts of sugar, as well as other additives like taurine and artificial flavors and colors.
2. Is Red Bull safe for everyone?
Red Bull and other energy drinks may not be safe for everyone. For instance, scientific evidence shows that energy drinks can cause serious health effects, particularly in children, teenagers, and young adults. Pregnant women should also be cautious, as one study found that energy drink intake was associated with a higher risk of gestational hypertension [8].
3. How does Red Bull compare to other energy drinks?
It is comparable to many other energy drinks, although some may contain more. Different drinks come in different sizes, too, which impacts the total caffeine content. For example, a 16 oz can of Monster Energy contains about 16 mg, depending on the drink.
4. How much caffeine is in a standard can of Red Bull?
A standard 8.46 fl oz can of Red Bull contains 80 mg of caffeine.
5. Can children drink Red Bull?
Red Bull is not recommended for children due to its high caffeine and taurine content, which can negatively impact their health. The amount of sugar in Red Bull is also not healthy for children.
6. What are the effects of Red Bull on sleep?
Caffeine in Red Bull can disrupt sleep patterns, making it harder to fall asleep and potentially reducing overall sleep quality. Red Bull also contains high levels of sugar, which can also impact your sleep.
7. How does the caffeine in Red Bull compare to a cup of coffee?
A standard can of Red Bull contains about the same amount of caffeine as a small cup of coffee, approximately 80 mg.
8. Are there any health benefits to the caffeine in Red Bull?
Caffeine can improve alertness and concentration but should be consumed in moderation due to potential health risks. Red Bull has other ingredients that should be consumed in moderation too, such as high levels of sugar.
9. What are the side effects of consuming too much caffeine from Red Bull?
Overconsumption can lead to side effects such as jitteriness, anxiety, nausea, and increased heart rate.
10. Can pregnant women drink Red Bull?
A woman who is pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or who is breastfeeding should limit caffeine intake and may want to avoid Red Bull to reduce health risks to the baby.
11. How long does it take for the caffeine in Red Bull to wear off?
The caffeine in Red Bull should last 5 to 6 hours, with peak effects within an hour of consumption.
Related: How Long Does Caffeine Stay in Your System?
12. Is it safe to drink Red Bull every day?
Moderation is key. While an occasional can of Red Bull is generally considered safe, daily consumption, especially in large amounts, can lead to potential health risks.
References
- Curran, C. P., & Marczinski, C. A. (2017). Taurine, caffeine, and energy drinks: Reviewing the risks to the adolescent brain. Birth defects research, 109(20), 1640-1648. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bdr2.1177
- Di Rocco, J. R., During, A., Morelli, P. J., Heyden, M., & Biancaniello, T. A. (2011). Atrial fibrillation in healthy adolescents after highly caffeinated beverage consumption: two case reports. Journal of medical case reports5, 1-6. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1752-1947-5-18
- González, W., Altieri, P. I., Alvarado, E., Banchs, H. L., Colón, E., Escobales, N., & Crespo, M. (2015). Celiac trunk and branches dissection due to energy drink consumption and heavy resistance exercise: case report and review of the literature. Boletin de la Asociacion Medica de Puerto Rico, 107(1), 38-40. https://europepmc.org/article/med/26035983
- Bedi, N., Dewan, P., & Gupta, P. (2014). Energy drinks: Potions of illusion. Indian Pediatrics, 51, 529-533. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13312-014-0441-9
- Montain, S. J., & Coyle, E. F. (1992). Influence of graded dehydration on hyperthermia and cardiovascular drift during exercise. Journal of Applied Physiology, 73(4), 1340-1350. https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/jappl.1992.73.4.1340
- Marshall, T. A., Levy, S. M., Broffitt, B., Warren, J. J., Eichenberger-Gilmore, J. M., Burns, T. L., & Stumbo, P. J. (2003). Dental caries and beverage consumption in young children. Pediatrics, 112(3), e184-e191. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/112/3/e184/28668/Dental-Caries-and-Beverage-Consumption-in-Young
- Somers, K. R., & Svatikova, A. (2020). Cardiovascular and autonomic responses to energy drinks—clinical implications. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(2), 431. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/2/431
- Ding, M., Markon, A. O., Jones-Dominic, O. E., Purdue-Smithe, A. C., Rich-Edwards, J. W., Wolpert, B. J., & Chavarro, J. E. (2023). Intake of Energy Drinks Before and During Pregnancy and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes. JAMA Network Open, 6(11), e2344023-e2344023. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/article-abstract/2812078
