Monster Energy drink was introduced by the Monster Beverage Corporation in 2002. Since then it has become one of the most popular names in the energy drink industry and occupies a 35% share of the market- second only to Red Bull.
There are now 39 different energy drinks under the Monster brand. Monster Energy drink offers a wide range of flavors to cater to a diverse range of customers.
Monster Energy drink contains 160mg caffeine and 54g sugar along with 190 calories in a single serving. According to the health regulations and other energy drinks in the market, these numbers are quite high.
So, do Monster Energy drinks expire?
Like other energy drinks, Monster energy drinks expire within 18-24 months from the manufacturing date. However, when stored properly, you can still consume Monster up to 6-9 months after the expiry date. Take note that when the drink has already been opened, it must be consumed as soon as possible.
Continue reading to know more about Monster Energy drinks and how long you can store them.
Monster Energy Drink Nutrition Facts
The nutritional value in every 16 fl. oz can of Monster Energy drink:
| Nutritional Facts | Monster Energy Drink |
| Calories | 210 calories |
| Fat | 0mg |
| Sodium | 370mg |
| Carbohydrates | 54g |
| Sugar | 54g |
| Protein | 0g |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 3.5mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 51.5mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 10.7mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 13µg |
Calories in Monster Energy Drink
Monster Energy Drink has 210 calories per 16 fl. oz can.
Monster Energy has a high-calorie content of 210 calories per serving size. That is a lot of calories to be consuming from your daily energy drink.
For reference, the FDA recommends the daily calorie intake for adult males and females to be 2500 and 2000 calories respectively.
The high amounts of sugar and calories in Monster Energy drink are probably not the health-conscious’s best option. Especially with a lot of other healthier options with brands coming up with low-calorie and zero-calorie alternatives.
So if you’re counting your calories or just want to switch to low-calorie options, you can try Monster Energy’s sugar-free energy drinks. But drinking more than one energy drink in a day isn’t recommended either way.
Monster Energy Drink Ingredients
Monster Energy Drink comes in many flavors and options for you to choose from. These drinks contain a variety of ingredients.
Here’s a list of ingredients found in a standard 16 fl. oz can of Monster Energy Drink.
- Carbonated Water
- Sugar
- Glucose
- Citric Acid
- Natural Flavors
- Taurine
- Sodium Citrate
- Color Added
- Panax Ginseng Extract
- L- Carnitine L-Tartate
- Caffeine
- Sorbic Acid (Preservative)
- Benzoic Acid ( Preservative)
- Niacinamide ( vitamin B3)
- Sucralose
- Salt
- Inositol
- Guarana Extract
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (vitamin B6)
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
- Maltodextrin
- Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12)
Caffeine
Monster Energy Drink has 160mg of caffeine per can.
Energy drinks contain caffeine to give you the desired boost in energy and performance. It also keeps you awake and alert. But too much caffeine is not good for your health.
According to the FDA, you should not drink more than 400mg of caffeine in a day. And the caffeine in Monster Energy Drink is close to the approved amount. So it is best not to have more than one drink in a day to avoid experiencing the side effects of overconsumption of caffeine.
An average cup of coffee contains about 80-90mg of caffeine. So a can of Monster contains almost the double amount of caffeine.
I personally recommend drinking your can of Monster Energy in a span of a few hours to avoid feeling anxious or jittery.
Drinking too much caffeine may also lead to an increase in heart rate and high blood pressure among other symptoms. It can also result in sleeplessness or insomnia.
Sugar
A 16 fl. oz can of Monster Energy contains 54g of sugar. That calculates roughly 13 teaspoons of sugar in a single serving.
Monster Energy Drink contains a pretty high sugar content in each can. The daily sugar intake recommended by the AHA is not more than 25g for women and 36g for men.
So you’ll be exceeding your recommended daily intake of sugar just by drinking one can of Monster Energy Drink.
The high levels of sugar mixed with the large amounts of caffeine and calories are not exactly diet-friendly, rather it could play a role in weight gain.
Consuming a can of Monster Energy drink along with your regular diet may lead to excessive consumption of sugar and calories. The side effects of consuming too much sugar are given below:
- Increases the level of glucose
- Increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart diseases
- Decreases immune function
- Causes tooth decay
- Improves cognition in children
- Increases stress
Monster Energy drink also contains added artificial sweeteners and flavors on top of its high sugar content.
The artificial sweetener used in Moonster Energy is sucralose.
Sucralose is used in many energy drinks as it is many times sweeter than sugar and works as a preservative. While Sucralose is actually zero calories, consuming too much of it may cause some side effects over time.
So it is best to limit your consumption of processed sugar and opt for sugar-free alternatives while buying energy drinks.
Do Monster Energy Drinks Expire?
The expiration date of Monster Energy drinks can be from 18-24 months after the date of manufacturing as stated in the can.
All processed food and drinks come with an expiration date. And it’s best to consume them within the date of expiration.
However, you may store your energy drink 6-9 months after its expiration date if you leave it unopened in a suitable environment.
There have been instances where energy drinks were stored for longer periods of time, although they are likely to lose their taste and nutritious value by then.
But I wouldn’t advise doing that since it’s best to drink energy drinks within the first few months after they are manufactured.
Always consult your health professional and follow the instructions on the label to avoid bad side effects from drinking expired food and drinks.
What Is The Shelf Life of Monster Energy Drink?
Monster Energy Drinks probably retain their best quality up to 6-9 months after the expiration date mentioned in the package.
To extend the shelf life of Monster Energy drinks, it’s best to store them in a cool, dark room where they are not exposed to extreme hot or cold temperatures. It should be kept away from heat and light.
Definitely consume all food and beverages if the packaging is damaged or open, or if the seal is broken.
After storing them for a while, you may expect to feel a difference in taste as some of the ingredients may lose their efficacy. So it is always best to follow the instructions printed on the label and drink your energy drink as you purchase them.
While most energy drinks like Monster Energy have a recommended shelf life of 18-24 months, REIZE powdered energy drinks can be stored for up to 36 months and still be in perfect condition.
But more on REIZE later.
How Do You Know If Your Monster Energy Drink Is Expired?
While there’s no harm in storing your Monster energy drink a couple more months after its expiry date, it’s very important to look out if your drink has expired or gone bad.
There might be some visual signs of your drink getting bad if you find any unusual odor or if your drink gets bloated or expands.
This may happen if they are not stored properly or if the seal of the package gets damaged. As Monster is a carbonated drink, it may also go bad if the gas present in the can gets out. Overall make sure there isn’t any environment for bacterial growth while storing your energy drink.
If you do see signs that your drink has gone out of date, it’s probably best to throw it out as drinking such energy drinks may be harmful to your health.
Monster Energy Drink Alternatives
If you like energy drinks for your daily energy boost but aren’t too keen on Monster for its high sugar and caffeine contents, here’s a list of other energy drinks you may like:
You may also give powdered energy drinks a try. They are more convenient and often less the price while having the same taste and characteristics:
- G fuel
- Zipfizz
- Advocare Spark
- REIZE (my personal favorite)
REIZE (10 out of 10)
If you’re looking for healthier and better choices than Monster Energy Drink, give REIZE Energy a try. REIZE has a sensible 50mg of caffeine that provides your desired energy for the day without making you restless. REIZE is also low in sugar and calories much healthier compared to Monster Energy Drinks.
REIZE is also full of beneficial ingredients like taurine, ginseng, and B vitamins that improve its taste and nutritious value. It’s also very convenient to carry and you have your energy drink wherever- just mix water!
Best part? REIZE ships directly to your door for only around $1.
Give REIZE a try today, and you might find it the better choice than Monster Energy.