Rockstar is founded by Russel Weiner in early 2000, and it started to be well-known for its effectiveness and quality since then.
PepsiCo is a giant beverage company that bought Rockstar Energy Drink for $3.85 billion. As we can all gather, the aim is to expand PepsiCo’s capabilities and accelerate Rockstar.
Let me discuss this deal further in this article.
If you’re interested in an in-depth review of Rockstar Energy, take a look at the article here, where I’ve done so in a detailed manner.
But if you want to know more about the impact of PepsiCo’s transaction on Rockstar energy drink, let me guide you through its effects and impacts on both consumers and the company itself.
Let’s get started.
What is Rockstar Energy Drink?
Rockstar Energy is one of the leading energy drinks in the market, being established in 2001 by Russ Weiner.
It’s advertised as one of the potential energy drinks in the market with a unique blend of ingredients leading to effective recovery and concentration. That said, Rockstar is popular among athletes and anyone with an active lifestyle!
A 16 fl. oz can of Rockstar has 160mg of caffeine, 24g of sugar, and 140 calories. Also, it comes in 20 amazing flavors.
No matter how these all sound good, avoid drinking Rockstar Energy if you’re pregnant or nursing, or if you suffer from any health conditions. Also, do not let your child drink it.
Who Owned Rockstar before?
Rockstar was owned and founded by Russ Weiner.
The company was based in Las Vegas, Nevada, and started its journey in energy drinks in 2001.
Russ Weiner initially proposed the idea of Rockstar but was rejected. Even then, Weiner knew that it’ll be a success so he quit his job and launched his energy drink idea with his condo mortgage.
With the popularity of Rockstar and its increasing demand in the market, PepsiCo saw potential, and that led to them buying Rockstar for $3.85 billion.
What is PepsiCo?
PepsiCo is one of the leading beverage companies in the world, selling its products in over 200 countries and territories.
You might be familiar with some of the famous products of PepsiCo, such as Mountain Dew Kickstart, Tropicana, Cola, Quaker, and many more.
PepsiCo always tries to analyze the market before going into battle. Its competitiveness and awareness of the demands of the consumers make it where it was right now, having a total revenue of $70.37 billion in 2020.
Why Did PepsiCo Buy Rockstar Energy Drink?
PepsiCo, being one of the top beverage companies in the world, sought innovation, wanting to go beyond the expectations of the consumers. That was when they noticed an opportunity and potential in Rockstar.
PepsiCo had many plans for Rockstar. They weren’t just into improving the quality of the energy drinks, but also improving the marketing strategy of Rockstar to improve its sales. It was a good start for diversification and fair market competition.
To sum up, Rockstar’s brand purchase was done to boost competition in the market, cater to customer needs, and keep the energy drink’s quality consistent. All of which led to the company’s growth and the increased popularity of Rockstar energy drinks.
Rockstar Energy Nutrition Facts
The table shows the nutrition facts of Rockstar compared to other big brands like Red Bull and Monster.
| Nutritional Values | Rockstar | Red Bull | Monster |
| Energy | 122 calories | 210 calories | 240 calories |
| Carbohydrate | 26g | 56g | 6-g |
| Sugar | 24g | 52g | 55g |
| Caffeine | 160mg | 151mg | 160mg |
| Protein | 2.0g | 2.28g | 0g |
| Salt | 0.82g | 0.20g | 0.96g |
| Vitamin B1 | – | 0.20mg | – |
| Vitamin B2 | – | 0.54mg | 3.5mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 16mg | 51.5mg | 43mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.4mg | 10.7mg | 4.0mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.5 µg | 9.6 µg | 13 µg |
Note: Red Bull is sold in 8.4 fl. oz cans, while Monster and Rockstar are usually sold in 16 fl. oz cans.
What are the Ingredients in Rockstar?
Rockstar Energy contains:
- Carbonated Water
- Sugar
- Glucose
- Citric Acid
- Taurine
- Sodium Citrate
- Caffeine
- Caramel Color
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Glucuronolactone
- Sorbic Acid
- Benzoic Acid
- Pantothenic Acid
- Niacinamide
- Inositol
- L-Carnitine
- Guarana Seed Extract
- Milk Thistle Extract
- Panax Root Extract
- Riboflavin
- Pyridoxine
- Hydrochloride
- Cyanocobalamin
How Much Caffeine Can You Get in Rockstar?
Rockstar contains 160mg of caffeine which is considered moderate.
If you ask me, my preference would be 50 to 100mg of caffeine per serving. Rockstar’s caffeine is too much for me but I might be just the right dosage for you.
The FDA recommends a daily caffeine limit of 400mg for a healthy adult. Once you exceed the daily limit, there is a possibility that you will suffer side effects such as:
- Severe Headaches
- Muscle Spasms
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Frequent Urination
- Anxiousness
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Dehydration
You probably don’t want to have those kinds of side effects, so it would be best if you try to regulate your caffeine intake based on your body’s limits.
Caffeine sensitivity and metabolism affect your tolerance. If your metabolism works slower than others, you might experience and feel the whole effect of caffeine regardless of how little you take.
Given that situation, it would always be best to be aware of your caffeine tolerance before you indulge in a can of Rockstar.
How Much Sugar Can You Get in Rockstar?
Rockstar offers 24 grams of sugar in a single serving.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a sugar limit of:
| Men | 100 calories/day | 37.5g or 9 tsp. |
| Women | 100 calories / day | 25g or 6 tsp. |
The sugar content of Rockstar is below the suggested limit of the AHA for men and women. So having one serving can be tolerable, but having more than one can give you too much sugar.
Sugar is beneficial if consumed in moderation. Too much sugar can lead to addiction, and it may lead to these problems:
- Bloating
- Fatigue
- Low Energy
- Low Mood
- Acne
- Obesity
- Cavities
- Fatty Liver
- Diabetes
- High-Blood Pressure
- Skin Aging
That said, it’s a wise idea to pick an energy drink with no sugar to avoid detrimental effects.
What Nutrients Can You Get From Rockstar?
Rockstar is rich in Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Guarana Extract, Taurine, Milk Thistle Extract, and Ginseng Root Extract.
I’ll discuss this briefly below.
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)
It is one of the B vitamins essential in taking good care of your health. Niacinamide helps your body to regulate fats and sugars and keeps your cells healthy.
Guarana Extract
Guarana is an essential nutrient that works as a stimulator. That said, the presence of guarana in Rockstar would mean that there may be more caffeine than what’s mentioned at the back of the can.
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B5 is also known as pantothenic acid and is one of the essential vitamins that our body needs. It keeps your body in proper condition and improves your digestion and the overall function of your liver and central nervous system.
Milk Thistle Extract
Milk Thistle Extract is commonly found in plants, and it is used as an herbal remedy because of its silymarin properties. Silymarin is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants.
Although Milk Thistle Extract has been claimed to be effective in treating liver disorders, acne, and bone loss, you should take this with a pinch of salt as its positive effect on energy drinks has not yet been proven.
Taurine
Taurine is one of the primary ingredients in energy drinks. It is an amino acid that keeps your body in its proper shape. Note that your body can also produce taurine, and it is usually found in your brain, heart, eyes, and muscles.
One of the bonuses that you can have in Rockstar is its 0.4% taurine, which adds up to the overall regulation of the minerals and electrolytes in your body.
The following are the benefits of taurine:
- improve overall immune and central nervous system
- regulate the minerals within your body
- regulate antioxidants function
- create bile salts that are vital for the digestive system
- maintain the hydration and electrolyte levels in your blood cells
Ginseng Root Extract
Ginseng root extract is a herbal plant that helps in treating different health conditions and is known as Chinese herbal medicine.
Some of its benefits are:
- boost your energy levels and fight fatigue
- improve the immune system
- develop the overall brain function
Can You Drink Rockstar Every Day?
As long as you limit it to one can a day, drinking Rockstar every day is safe, and it doesn’t threaten your body and overall health.
If you need an energy boost equipped with caffeine, having a can of Rockstar won’t hurt your body.
That said, I highly advise consuming only one can a day. Having two or more cans might result in adverse effects due to the high caffeine and sugar content.
Take a look at this article about the daily consumption of Rockstar.
Rockstar Energy Flavors
Here are some of the flavors of Rockstar Energy:
- Original
- Sugar-free
- Blackout
- Boom Whipped Orange
- Boom Whipped Strawberry
- Pure Zero Silver Ice
- Pure Zero Watermelon
- Punched Fruit Punched
- Revolt Killer Citrus
- Revolt Killer Grape
- Recovery Lemonade
REIZE (10 out of 10)
If you’re in doubt about the caffeine and sugar level of Rockstar, it’s probably a sign for you to have REIZE.
REIZE gives you 50mg of caffeine, 1000mg of taurine, ginseng, and B vitamins. Definitely lesser caffeine and you don’t have to worry about the nasty sugar as it’s sugar-free!
For $1 per sachet, you can get REIZE shipped straight to your doorstep, which is great value for your money!
Try REIZE today and I’m sure you’ll agree with me that it’s a better and bolder choice than Rockstar.