Red Bull is easily one of the most popular and well-recognized energy drinks out there, with its silver-and-blue can and logo of two bulls.
While you may know how well Red Bull works from the previous article detailing my review on Red Bull, now you might be asking the question: does it actually give you energy?
In short, considering that it has caffeine and sugar, Red Bull can definitely give you a temporary boost of energy. However, I wouldn’t recommend having too many cans as all that sugar isn’t particularly healthy.
For a more in-depth analysis, stick around to find out everything about Red Bull, from its ingredients to how long its effects last.
Red Bull Energy Drink Nutrition Facts
First off, let’s take a look at the nutritional values of an 8.4 fl.oz can of Red Bull, as seen in the table below:
| Standard Values | Red Bull (8.4 fl.oz) |
| Energy | 110 calories |
| Fat (Of Which Saturated) | 0g (0g) |
| Carbohydrate (Of Which Sugars) | 28g (27g) |
| Sodium | 105mg |
| Caffeine | 80mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 22mg |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) | 5.05mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 5.05mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 5.1μg |
How Many Calories Are In Red Bull Energy Drink?
Every 8.4fl.oz can of Red Bull has 110 calories, which is a pretty moderate amount of calories for most energy drinks.
While it’s not as much as Monster Energy’s calorie content, which is 210 calories per 16 fl.oz, Red Bull contains a considerable amount of calories, since it comes in a fairly small size.
For reference, the daily calorie limit for the average adult is between 2000 to 2400 calories (depending on age, metabolism, and other factors), so having the occasional Red Bull shouldn’t leave a serious impact on your diet.
On the other hand, the calories add up rapidly if you drink more than one can per day, so if you’re watching your weight, it’s best to limit your consumption to one can per day.
Plus, while Red Bull may give you some calories, it’s by no means a substitute for a nutritious meal, so do grab something substantial to eat if you’re feeling hungry instead of opting for energy drinks.
In any case, be sure to moderate your Red Bull intake, keep your calorie intake in check, and have substantial meals instead of replacing it with an energy drink.
If you prefer to do away with calories instead, check out my article on the best zero-calorie energy drinks for some great options.
Red Bull Energy Drink Ingredients
While Red Bull’s ingredients may not be as fancy as most energy drinks these days, they work just as fine and fulfill their functions effectively.
So have a look at what the ingredients in an 8.4 fl.oz can of Red Bull Energy Drink are below:
- Carbonated Water
- Sucrose
- Glucose
- Citric Acid
- Taurine
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Magnesium Carbonate
- Caffeine
- Niacinamide
- Calcium Pantothenate
- Pyridoxine HCl
- Vitamin B12
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Colorings
How Much Caffeine Does Red Bull Energy Drink Have?
Each 8.4 fl.oz can of Red Bull contains 80mg of caffeine, which is a fairly decent amount of caffeine for an energy drink of its size.
Caffeine plays a big role in the way energy drinks function, from keeping you awake to improving your physical performance as well as cognition.
Since energy drinks can contain up to 300mg of caffeine per serve, the caffeine content of a Red Bull is quite tame in comparison. In fact, it’s roughly the same as a regular cup of coffee (95mg per serving).
Personally, my caffeine preference lies between 50mg to 100mg per drink, which I find to be the right amount for a smooth and nice boost without any overwhelming side effects.
At 80mg of caffeine, Red Bull slides right into the sweet spot, and I won’t mind bringing it along with me in case I need a boost to fight off the afternoon slump.
Of course, depending on your caffeine metabolism, you might need a few cans at least before you really begin to feel the caffeine kick in.
That being said, it’s best to keep your caffeine consumption to a moderate level. The FDA suggests an everyday caffeine intake limit of 400mg for healthy adults. Additionally, and you might end up with unfavorable effects like:
- Restlessness and shakiness
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Dehydration
- Anxiety
- Rapid heart rhythm
Therefore, be sure to monitor your daily caffeine intake, and try not to have too many energy drinks and other caffeinated beverages in general.
How Much Sugar Does Red Bull Energy Drink Have?
A single 8.4 fl.oz can of Red Bull contains 27g of sugar, which is definitely a substantial amount given its small size.
Compared to energy drinks with a higher sugar content like AMP Energy and Full Throttle, Red Bull doesn’t have an especially excessive amount of sugar.
But, sugar must always be consumed in moderation. The AHA advises a daily sugar limit of 25g and 36g for women and men respectively.
While having sugar to give your mood and energy levels a little boost is fine, having too much sugar can lead to a number of health issues, such as:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Acne
- Weight gain
Moreover, you’ll more likely get a sugar crash with a sugary energy drink, which isn’t something desirable if you’re working or exercising.
Like everything we consume, be sure to keep your Red Bull consumption to a tolerable and healthy level, and avoid having too many sugary drinks as well.
If you’re not a big fan of sugar, Red Bull does offer a sugar-free option, or if you’re looking for more recommendations, I’ve listed a few in my article on the best energy drinks with less sugar.
Other Ingredients
Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid that has lots of benefits, thus it’s often included in energy drinks to help enhance physical performance further.
Red Bull and taurine practically can’t be separated from each other, as there used to be a controversy that Red Bull’s taurine content came from bull semen.
You don’t have to worry though, because this controversy has long been debunked and Red Bull’s taurine content is confirmed to be synthetic.
As for the benefits of taurine itself, it has a host of them:
- Protects certain organs in the body like muscles, heart, and eyes
- Improves physical performance
- Maintains healthy metabolism
While these benefits may seem impressive, some studies found that including taurine in your diet doesn’t really produce many benefits, so take these claims with a grain of salt.
B Vitamins
From promoting healthy brain function to maintaining energy levels, B vitamins are crucial for your health and wellbeing, thus it’s not surprising that Red Bull has them.
The table below details Red Bull’s B-Vitamin content and compares it against the tolerable intake level, and you can read more about the functions of these vitamins in this article here.
| Types of B Vitamins | Purpose | Red Bull (8.4 fl.oz) | Tolerable Upper Intake Level |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | Helps the body release energy; keeps the skin healthy. | 22mg | 35mg |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) | Makes blood cells, and helps to convert food into energy. | 5.05mg | N/A |
| Vitamin B6 | Store energy from protein and carbohydrates; formation of red blood cells | 5.05mg | 100mg |
| Vitamin B12 | Release energy from food; forms red blood cells; keeps the nervous system healthy | 5.1µg | – |
How Long Does Red Bull Give You Energy?
The effects of a Red Bull will last between one to four hours depending on your caffeine metabolism.
Caffeine usually takes around 10 minutes to kick in, which causes a rise in heart rate and blood pressure. Around 15 to 45 minutes after consumption, the caffeine in your bloodstream reaches peak levels, producing stronger effects that lead to increased alertness and mental focus.
These effects will last between one to four hours before they wear off completely, though the caffeine hasn’t entirely left your body yet by then. As the half-life of caffeine is around 5 hours, it’ll take around a whole day for all the caffeine you’ve consumed to be fully be processed by your body.
Of course, this does boil down to your own caffeine metabolism, which will decide how long the boost and effects of a Red Bull will last.
Does Red Bull Give You Instant Energy?
While Red Bull doesn’t instantly replenish your energy levels, the caffeine within the drink does make you feel more awake and aware due to its interaction with your nervous system.
Energy drinks don’t actually supply you with energy (at least not substantially). You feel less tired after drinking energy drinks due to their caffeine content.
Caffeine works by blocking adenosine, the sleep-regulating receptors in your brain, from functioning properly, thus stimulating your brain and central nervous system which leads to increased alertness.
So when the effects of caffeine wear off, you’ll start to feel sleepy and tired again.
While Red Bull doesn’t give you instant energy, it does reduce the onset of fatigue and keeps you awake.
As such Red Bull is great for situations where sleeping isn’t an option, although, at the end of the day, you still need to get enough rest to properly replenish your energy levels.
Speaking of energy drinks that keep you alert and focused, have a look at the article I’ve written on the best energy drinks for concentration, for some great alternatives apart from Red Bull.
Alternatives To Red Bull Energy Drink
If all that caffeine and sugar in Red Bull doesn’t pique your interest, here’s a list of some great alternatives that might be more to your fancy:
You can also check out powdered energy drinks, as they’re more versatile and can be easily personalized according to your preferences:
- Zipfizz
- G Fuel
- Advocare Spark
- REIZE (my favorite)
REIZE (10 Out Of 10)
If you find that Red Bull has too much caffeine and sugar for your liking, let me introduce you to something that’s healthier instead.
REIZE is a powdered energy drink that can be found in light and fitting 4g sachets. With a reasonable 50mg of caffeine, REIZE is additionally sugar-free and has just 11 calories for every serving.
Plus, REIZE contain a smart blend of beneficial ingredients like taurine, ginseng and B-group vitamins that work together to provide you with the perfect energy boost without the dreaded sugar crashes.
The best part is that REIZE ships to your home for only around $1 per sachet, which is amazing value for money.
Give REIZE a try, and you might agree that it’s the smarter option for your daily energy needs than Red Bull.
Other Articles
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.