Monster ranked second as the top energy drink brand in the market. You can buy it everywhere, and whenever you like. It’s a decent drink that aims to provide essential nutrient boost throughout the day.
Given the popularity of Monster and the energy it can bring to your life, you might be wondering: does Monster contain alcohol?
Monster Energy doesn’t contain any alcohol. Some alcoholic drink recipes recommend mixing Monster with alcohol, which may be why there is a common belief that the brand contains alcohol.
But this combination is dangerous since caffeine masks the effects of alcohol and can lead you to consume more than usual.
If you’d like to find out more about Monster and its effect on your body, read on.
What Is Monster Energy Drink?
Monster Energy was first launched in April 2002 by Hansen Natural Company (now known as Monster Beverage Corporation).
It continuously improves its quality to the point where it now takes the second spot for the top energy drinks in the market.
Monster Energy comes with a revitalizing taste with 160mg of caffeine, 54g of sugar, and 210 calories. Aside from that, it has a refreshing combination of B vitamins, Panax ginseng, and guarana extract.
Though, you still need to be wary of it because of its enormous amount of sugar.
Nutrition Facts of Monster Energy
Here is a table detailing the nutrition facts of Monster Energy:
| Typical Values (Per 16 fl. oz) | Monster Energy Drink |
| Energy | 210 calories |
| Fat (Of which Saturated) | 0g (0g) |
| Carbohydrate (Of which Sugars) | 54g (54g) |
| Caffeine | 160mg |
| Protein | 0g |
| Sodium | 370mg |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 3.6mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 46mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 4.6mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 13µg |
What are the Ingredients in Monster Energy Drink?
Monster Energy is packed with a good amount of ingredients to give you the boost you need. Here is a quick list of Monster Energy ingredients:
- Carbonated Water
- Sugar
- Glucose
- Citric Acid
- Natural Flavours
- Taurine
- Sodium Citrate
- Color Added
- Panax Ginseng Extract
- L-Carnitine
- L-Tartrate
- Caffeine
- Sorbic Acid
- Benzoic Acid
- Niacinamide
- Sucralose
- Salt
- D-Glucuronolactone
- Inositol
- Guarana Extract
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B2
- Maltodextrin
- Cyanocobalamin
Caffeine
Monster gives you 160mg of caffeine, which is a moderate amount.
I would say that the amount of caffeine in Monster is still high enough for you to build tolerance and addiction to caffeine. That’s why I always prefer energy drinks that only have 50mg to 100mg of caffeine.
For your reference, the FDA recommends a caffeine intake limit of no more than 400mg per day and any more than that might lead to side effects such as:
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Headaches
- Stomachaches
- Dizziness
- Dehydration
- Anxiety
Caffeine metabolism also plays an important role in your caffeine management. If you have a high tolerance, then Monster’s caffeine isn’t much for you to handle. However, managing your consumption is still the best to prevent disastrous side effects.
On the other hand, if you’d like to do without caffeine completely, you can check out the article here for some of my recommendations on the best energy drinks without caffeine.
Calories
A serving of Monster Energy drink can provide 210 calories, which, in my opinion, is too much for daily consumption given the recommended daily caloric intake.
It’s recommended that women should only have between 2000 to 2400 calories per day, while men have between 2400 to 3000 calories per day.
Although having a Monster will definitely give your cells some energy to burn, it isn’t great if you happen to be working out or you’re on a diet, especially since a Monster will add to your daily caloric intake.
Fortunately, Monster does have a sugar-free option—Monster Energy Zero Ultra, which only comes with 10 calories yet provides the same great taste, making it perfect for calorie counters.
If you think Monster isn’t the energy drink for you, don’t worry, as I’ve written an in-depth article on the best zero-calorie energy drinks.
Sugar
Monster Energy contains 54g of sugar. It’s unbelievably enormous for a single serving.
The AHA advises that the daily added sugar limit for adults is 25g for women and 36g for men. The amount of sugar in a single can of Monster Energy Drink definitely goes over that limit.
To your knowledge, too much sugar can lead to undesirable side effects, such as:
- Aging skin
- Acne
- Addiction
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Diabetes
- Tooth Decay
- Weight gain
If you’re health-conscious, you might want to check out this article here on some of the best energy drinks without sugar.
Other Ingredients
B-Vitamins
Monster also contains B vitamins, which are beneficial for your health. The table below lists the key information of each B vitamins included in Monster:
| Roles and Functions | Monster Amount per Serving | Tolerable Upper Intake Level | |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | helps your body release energy | 43mg | 35mg |
| Vitamin B2 (Ribolfavin) | energy production | 5.05mg | N/A |
| Vitamin B6 | store energy from protein and carbohydrates | 5.05mg | 100mg |
| Vitamin B12 | release energy from food | 5.1µg | N/A |
Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is a common ingredient that’s primarily used as an additive to improve the flavor, thickness, and shelf-life of foods and beverages.
While it’s considered safe in small quantities, maltodextrin ranks pretty high on the Glycemic Index (GI) scale, meaning that it can cause a spike in blood sugar.
Considering that a can of Monster Energy already has 54g of sugar, maltodextrin shouldn’t be your main concern. If you’re diabetic, you probably shouldn’t be having a can of Monster regularly.
Panax Ginseng
Panax Ginseng is another ingredient present in Monster that provides a lot of benefits to the body.
It helps you improve your overall cognitive function and lessen your body fatigue. It also helps you regulate your blood pressure. That’s why it’s a pretty good addition to Monster Energy.
Guarana Extract
Guarana is a plant that originally came from Brazil. It helps you boost your energy levels. Just like caffeine, it serves as a natural stimulant and plays an important role as an antioxidant.
Research suggests that guarana may help in reducing fatigue and providing you with a quick energy boost.
This is probably why it’s included in Monster Energy Drink in the first place. However, a large part of guarana happens to be caffeine, so the actual caffeine content in Monster may be more than the amount stated on the label.
Does Monster Energy have Alcohol?
Monster Energy drink does not contain alcohol.
It comes with a smart blend of caffeine, sugar, and essential vitamins. It aims to give you refreshments and improve your overall wellness. Aside from that, it helps you boost your energy levels to improve your overall well-being.
The misconception about its alcohol content is probably because some people actually enjoy mixing Monster with alcohol for a new twist.
However, I will not recommend this, as the caffeine content of Monster and the acidity of alcohol do not go well together. It’s risky and will definitely not taste good.
Is it Okay to Mix Monster with Alcohol?
While some people enjoy mixing Monster energy drinks with alcohol, it’s actually a risky thing to do. The acid from alcohol and the caffeine and sugar levels from Monster can lead to negative side effects. It could even destroy your organs and disrupt your usual functioning.
There are different beverages that suit different occasions. So, it would be great if you checked its compatibility before mixing things together. That way, you are less likely to encounter any negative side effects.
Can a 12-year-old drink Monster?
Health professionals advise 12-year-olds to avoid drinking energy drinks.
Even adults should consume it in moderation to avoid health risks. Much more for 12-year-olds since caffeine intake is not recommended for them.
Is Monster Energy Drink Good for Your Health?
There’s no denying that Monster energy drink is a good drink if you disregard its sugar content.
It would be great if you would only take it once in a while. It can help you manage your health and promote goodness in your body.
However, nothing can beat water when it comes to refreshment as it doesn’t have any calories or sugar. It would be great if you hydrate yourself properly to avoid any negative effects.
Aside from that, make sure that you have a proper meal before diving into energy drinks. It can make your stomach upset and lower your motivation. Also, check your daily routine, and try to have proper exercise and a healthy diet.
REIZE (10 out of 10)
If you’re looking for a drink that can go along with other drinks without worrying about its negative effects. Then, REIZE is the one for you.
REIZE energy drink is a powdered energy drink that comes with 50mg of caffeine, 11 calories, and zero sugar, so you don’t need to worry about crashes or any negative effects. Aside from that, you can also enjoy its smart blend of nutrients coming from ginseng, taurine, and B vitamins.
REIZE is a total package of healthy ingredients that helps you manage your body and health. Aside from that, the price is affordable and reasonable. You can have a serving for only about $1, and have it shipped directly to your home.
That’s good value for your money!
Try REIZE today, and you might also find it to be a better choice than Monster.