One of the most well-known brands of energy drinks in the world, Rockstar Energy Drink was created by its founder Russell Weiner way back in the early 2000s, and its popularity has skyrocketed ever since.
Energy drinks provide a quick boost and pick-me-up when you need stamina or power, so it’s a great choice of drink to beat the afternoon slump.
But does Rockstar actually does what it says and works well as an energy drink?
In short, Rockstar certainly works well as an energy drink with its moderate caffeine content and blend of ingredients, though its sugar content may be on the higher end.
For my further thoughts on what I think of Rockstar Energy Drink in general, take a look at my Rockstar Review article, where I go into the drink with a lot more detail.
But if you’re still wondering about how viable a can of Rockstar actually is as an energy drink, let me take you through the effects and details and see if they line up with your expectations.
Let’s get started.
What Happens To Your Body When You Drink Energy Drinks?
Apart from the taste and texture, your body usually reacts the same way it would to a similarly strong cup of coffee as the caffeine makes you feel more awake and aware than you were prior.
When you take that first sip of that fizzy cold goodness of an energy drink, your body gets hit by a dose of sugar and caffeine.
According to this study, it roughly takes 15-45 minutes for the caffeine to hit your bloodstream. With the caffeine circulating, it will result in heightened alertness and better focus.
Sugar does the same as caffeine, where it gives you a sudden burst of energy, making your heart rate and blood pressure rise.
This phenomenon is called a sugar rush, and it’s a great feeling to be in when you’re trying to get work done. That said, be wary as it’s always followed by a crash.
How Long Do Energy Drinks Last in Your Body?
It takes 4-5 hours for your bloodstream to flush out 50 percent of the caffeine that you consumed. So one can of energy drinks provides you 4 to 5 hours of energy boost.
Let’s say a can of energy drink has 100 mg of caffeine in it. Your body will flush 50 mg of it after a couple of hours.
After a few hours, you will experience a severe loss of energy. This is sometimes called a sugar crash. Wherein your body has flushed out all the sugar from your body and is now adjusting back to normal sugar levels.
How Long Does It Take For Rockstar to Kick In?
Once you drink a can of Rockstar, it takes about 10 minutes for you to feel its effects.
The stimulation by the caffeine in Rockstar will increase your heart rate, which improves alertness and enhance your concentration while giving you a boost of energy
After about 45 minutes, your body has absorbed all of the caffeine in your bloodstream. The liver will now pump out insulin to counteract and absorb the sugar.
Rockstar Ingredients
Here is the list of all the ingredients that is inside a 16 fl.oz can of Rockstar:
- Carbonated Water
- Sugar (Sucrose)
- Acid (Citric Acid)
- Flavor Enhancer (Erythritol)
- Taurine (0.4%)
- Acidity Regulator (Sodium Citrate)
- Flavoring
- Caffeine (0.04%)
- Sweeteners (Sucralose, Acesulfame K)
- Glucuronolactone
- Colors (Caramel E150c, Riboflavin E101)
- Guarana Extract (0.01%)
- Ginseng Extract (0.01%)
- Inositol
- Vitamins (Niacinamide, B6, B12)
How Much Caffeine Is In Rockstar?
A single 16 fl.oz. can of Rockstar has a caffeine contents of 160 mg.
Is that too much?
For a normal healthy adult, the daily caffeine threshold as recommended by the FDA is 400mg. Anything more than that and you may experience the following:
- Severe Headaches
- Anxiousness / Irritability
- Frequent Urination
- Increased Heartbeat
- Insomnia
- Muscle Spasms
Avoid exceeding your caffeine limit unless you like experiencing the aforementioned negative consequences. Having said that, although 400 milligrams has been suggested as the upper limit for caffeine consumption, keep in mind that this number might very well change depending on your own circumstances.
This difference may be due to how we metabolize caffeine at a different rate. If you have a slower metabolism rate, you will feel the full effects of caffeine even though you may have only taken a few sips.
As such, be aware of your own personal tolerances before downing a can of Rockstar; while caffeine can definitely be beneficial to you, you can certainly have too much of a good thing.
How Much Sugar Is In a Can of Rockstar?
24 grams of sugar can be found in a 16 fl.oz can of Rockstar, which is a large amount of sugar.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the limit of consuming added sugars are:
| Men | 150 calories / day | 37.5 g or 9 tsp. |
| Women | 100 calories / day | 25 g or 6 tsp. |
The sugar in Rockstar is barely below the limit for women and is more than half the limit for men, so while having one can is alright, having more than one will leave you with an excessive amount of sugar.
Always consume sugars in moderation. You don’t want to get addicted to them, as too much sugar will lead to the following:
Short-Term Effects:
- Low Energy Levels (Sugar Crash)
- Low Mood
- Fatigue
- Bloating
Long-Term Effects:
- Acne
- Weight Gain / Obesity
- Type 2 Diabetes
- High-Blood Pressure
- Accelerate Skin Aging Process
- Fatty Liver
- Cavities
- Increased Risk of Cancer
As such, be sure to keep your Rockstar intake at healthy levels. While sugar may be an easy source of energy, it’s also not the healthiest.
How Many Calories Does a Can Of Rockstar Have?
One 16 fl.oz can of Rockstar Energy Drink contains 140 calories.
To give you a better idea of how much calories that is, here’s a comparison on Rockstar energy drink with other beverages:
| Type of Drink | Volume | Calories |
| Rockstar Energy Drink | 16 fl.oz. | 140 |
| Soda / Soft Drink | 12 fl.oz. | 140 |
| Fruit Juice | 8.45 fl.oz. | 143 |
| Coffee | 8 fl.oz. | 1 |
| Water | 8 fl.oz. | 0 |
Is Rockstar Energy Drink Good For You?
Yes. While Rockstar may contain a substantial amount of sugar, it contains an array of ingredients, which may be beneficial for your health.
Specifically, Rockstar has Niacinamide (B3), Guarana Extract, Pantothenic Acid (B5), Milk Thistle Extract, Taurine, and Ginseng Root Extract.
That said, if you’re looking for other healthy energy drink options, here are the best energy drinks for health, which you might be interested in.
Niacinamide (B3)
Also called Vitamin B3, Niacinamide is a B-vitamin and an organic compound that’s commonly used in skincare products.
Niacinamide, however, is only effective when used topically, so there’s no guarantee that having niacinamide will have any drastic effects on your body.
Guarana Extract
The Guarana is a plant that is commonly found in the Amazon basin. Amazonian tribes have used the Guarana for its therapeutic properties.
Guarana extract is derived by crushing the seeds, containing theophylline, theobromine, antioxidants, and caffeine, which adds to the caffeine value of Rockstar.
Pantothenic Acid (B5)
More commonly known as Vitamin B5, this vitamin is important for healthy skin and hair, improved digestion, and aiding red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body.
Besides Rockstar, Pantothenic Acid is commonly found in these foods:
- Legumes
- Green Leafy Vegetables
- Mushrooms
- Potatoes
- Whole Grains
Milk Thistle Extract
Derived from the milk thistle plant, this is a herbal remedy that is rich in silymarin. The silymarin content is known to be rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Milk Thistle Extract has been traditionally used for any liver disorders, potential bone loss, and to treat acne, so it does have some health benefits, albeit not too beneficial for an energy drink.
While it’s generally considered safe to be consumed, it’s always best to consult a specialist especially if you are; pregnant, allergic to plants, diabetic, or have hormonal sensitive conditions.
Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid that’s essential to your body’s needed nutrition. Your bodies can create and produce Taurine, and it is concentrated around the brain, eyes, muscles, and heart.
Rockstar contains 0.4% of Taurine, which is a great bonus for an energy drink as it helps regulate electrolytes and minerals within the body.
The benefits of Taurine include:
- Improvement in Heart Health
- Boost Energy when Exercising
- Protect the Liver
Ginseng Root Extract
Similar to Milk Thistle Extract, Ginseng Root Extract is derived from ginseng, which is a herbal remedy for multiple health conditions and is popular in traditional Chinese remedies.
Ginseng Root Extract is derived from the root of crop ginseng and is a potent antioxidant that reduces inflammation in the body.
Several more benefits include:
- Combat Fatigue and Increase Energy Levels
- Benefit Brain Function
- Boost the Immune System
Ginseng Root Extract is safe to consume and does not pose any serious effects on the body.
For more information on ginseng, have a look at the article I’ve written on the benefits of ginseng, which you’ll hopefully find informative.
Is It Bad to Drink Rockstar Every Day?
So long as you have it in moderation, having a can of Rockstar every day isn’t bad for you, and shouldn’t pose a risk to your health.
If you need caffeine to wake yourself up, then grabbing a can of Rockstar wouldn’t hurt.
However, I highly advise you to drink only one can a day. Drinking two may result in unwanted side effects due to caffeine and sugar.
For a more detailed answer, take a look at my “can you drink Rockstar every day” article.
Rockstar Flavors
Rockstar offers a wide range of different flavors:
- Original
- Boom Whipped Strawberry
- Boom Whipped Orange
- Punched Fruit Punch
- Pure Zero Silver Ice
- Pure Zero Watermelon
- Recovery Lemonade
- Revolt Killer Grape
- Revolt Killer Citrus
- Blackout
- Sugar-Free
If you’re a fan of variety, you’re in luck. You can try all of them to see which one fits your tastes best.
For the original Rockstar, I find that the flavor’s not too sweet, having the same texture as Red Bull. It may not be the best-tasting energy drink on the market, but it’s far from being the worst.
What Happens If You Drink Yoo Many Cans of Rockstar?
You’ll experience a caffeine overdose and side effects from excessive sugar if you drink too many Rockstar, so always stick to one can a day.
When you overdose on caffeine, your stress levels, and heart rate increase, which can cause cardiac arrest or damage to the liver in extreme cases.
Furthermore, excess sugar can cause tooth decay (cavities), type 2 diabetes, and mood swings. And the usual anxiousness, insomnia (if drank at night), and headaches.
So whenever you are drinking an energy drink, always drink in moderation.
REIZE (10 out of 10)
If you’re not too fond of Rockstar, how about opting for REIZE instead?
REIZE is a powdered energy drink that has only 50 mg of caffeine, which is only one-third of the caffeine content Rockstar has. It’s also sugar-free, which makes it quite a bit healthier too.
With that in mind, you can enjoy this delicious energy drink without going overboard on the daily recommended servings of caffeine and sugar.
REIZE also has the same beneficial ingredients as Rockstar, packed with taurine, ginseng, and B vitamins. All in a jam-packed, bang for the buck, easy to carry take wherever you go sachet.
And you want to know the best part?
You can have this amazing drink shipped right at your doorstep for only $1 per drink. That’s amazing value for money.
Try REIZE today and I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s a smarter choice than Rockstar.