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Keto and Red Bull: Separating Fact from Fiction

Keto and Red Bull: Separating Fact from Fiction

Although most of the variants of Red Bull energy drink are not keto-friendly, a few sugar-free varieties are.

Nothing beats a good ol’ can of Red Bull for a boost of energy, which has become associated with energy drinks at this point.

But, is it suitable for people following a ketogenic diet?

Traditional Red Bull has too much sugar to be keto-friendly, but there are zero-sugar and zero-calorie versions too.

In order to induce ketosis, a state in which your body burns fat instead of carbohydrates, a keto diet normally needs you to decrease your carbohydrate and sugar intake.

Red Bull comes in a variety of flavors and variations, and while most aren’t keto-friendly, a few sugar-free varieties are. Artificial sweeteners are used in sugar-free variations, which should be carefully considered when following a ketogenic diet.

What is a Ketogenic Diet?

A low-carb strategy is referred to as “ketogenic” (like the Atkins diet). The objective is to consume more calories from protein and fat while consuming fewer calories from carbohydrates.

A ketogenic diet is most commonly used to get into shape, but it can also be used to treat medical disorders such as epilepsy. It may also help those with heart disease, some brain illnesses, and even acne, though more research is required in those areas.

Here’s a video about the Keto diet for beginners.

Foods to Avoid During Ketogenic Diet

The foods you need to avoid during the keto diet are listed below:

  • Bread, pasta, rice, and other refined carbs
  • Beer and mixed drinks
  • Honey and syrups
  • Juice
  • Sugary sodas
  • Ketchup, barbecue sauce, and other condiments
  • Light or low-fat margarine

How Many Carbohydrates Are in Red Bull?

The amount of carbohydrates in Red Bull varies greatly depending on the flavor. I went to a few local grocery stores and entered the nutritional information for all of the Red Bull flavors that they sold into the table below.

Red Bull FlavorCarbohydratesKeto-friendly?
Red Bull (Original)28gNo
Red Bull Sugar-Free3gYes – Sweeteners?*
Red Bull Zero2gYes – Sweeteners?*
Red Bull Green40gNo
Red Bull Winter40gNo
Red Bull Coconut40gNo
Red Bull Pear Sugar-Free2gYes – Sweeteners*
Red Bull Peach40gNo
Red Bull Red41gNo
Red Bull Yellow29gNo
Red Bull Blue41gNo
Red Bull Lime Sugar-Free2gYes – Sweeteners*
Red Bull Purple Sugar-Free2gYes – Sweeteners*
Red Bull Orange41gNo
Here are the number of carbohydrates present in different flavors of Red Bull and their keto-friendly status.

Red Bull does, however, currently offer five sugar-free variants that are well within the carbohydrate restrictions of a ketogenic diet. However, those sugar-free varieties are sweetened with a variety of artificial sweeteners, which may cause concern for people on a keto diet.

Below, I will discuss the issues raised by artificial sweeteners.*

Note that companies like Red Bull frequently add and remove flavors, as well as change their formula.

red bull in front of a laptop
Different flavors of Red Bull include a different amount of carbs in them.

Artificial Sweeteners in Sugar-Free Varieties of Red Bull

To determine whether Red Bull Sugar-Free and Zero are keto-friendly, you need to identify which artificial sweeteners are present in these beverages.

Red Bull Sugar-Free

Red Bull Sugar-Free includes the following artificial sweeteners.

  • Acesulfame K (Potassium)
  • Aspartame

Acesulfame K is an artificial sweetener that is 200 times sweeter than table sugar yet has no calories or carbohydrates, according to this research.

Acesulfame K is also known as ace-K or acesulfame potassium. It was approved by the FDA in 1998 and has since been widely manipulated in the sugar-free food supply in the United States.

While it won’t knock you out of ketosis, many people are concerned about this and other artificial sweeteners made in laboratories.

The major risk with a keto diet is that artificial sweeteners may interfere with hunger regulation and boost sweet-tooth cravings, according to many people. To put it another way, using these artificial sweeteners might make it more difficult to lose weight on a ketogenic diet.

And despite its tremendous sweetness, Ace-K has a harsh aftertaste. To cover up the aftertaste, it’s always necessary to add additional sweetener, which leads us to aspartame, the second artificial sweetener included in Red Bull Sugar-Free.

Aspartame is a zero-calorie, zero-carb artificial sweetener that was developed in a laboratory. It raises the very same issues as Acesulfame K but without the harsh aftertaste.

When two artificial sweeteners are used, the risk of negative side effects (such as screwed-up hunger regulation and increased sweet cravings) is enhanced.

Red Bull Zero

Red Bull Zero includes the following artificial sweeteners.

  • Acesulfame K (Potassium)
  • Sucralose

I’ve already talked about Acesulfame K, so I’ll leave it at that. The second artificial sweetener added to offset the harshness of Acesulfame K is advertised in Red Bull Zero as a “new taste.”

Sucralose is another artificial sweetener made in a lab that has no calories and no carbs, so it won’t knock you out of ketosis.

Combining these two artificial sweeteners, however, increases your chances of experiencing adverse effects that make sticking to your keto diet more difficult.

Dust sugar.
Sugar-Free and Zero versions of Red Bull include artificial sweeteners in them.

Ingredients of Red Bull

The ingredients of classic Red Bull are as follows.

  • Carbonated Water
  • Sucrose
  • Glucose
  • Citric Acid
  • Taurine
  • Sodium Bicarbonate
  • Magnesium Carbonate
  • Caffeine
  • Niacinamide
  • Calcium Pantothenate
  • Pyridoxine HCl
  • Vitamin B12
  • Colors

Is There Caffeine in Every Flavor of Red Bull?

Each flavor of Red Bull includes caffeine ranging from around 80mg to 120mg.

When you consider that the maximum daily caffeine intake is 400mg, this amount is not a lot. Caffeine overdose may possibly occur if four or more cans of this energy drink are consumed. As a result, I would not recommend it.

Caffeine overdose is dangerous since it can induce the following negative effects:

  • Anxiety or panic attacks
  • Dehydration
  • Diarrhea
  • Headaches
  • Jitters

Keep track of how many caffeinated beverages you consume over the day if you drink Red Bull Energy drinks.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as children under the age of 18, should avoid this drink, especially if they are caffeine sensitive.

Consult your doctor if you’re unsure about it.

How Does Red Bull Give You Energy?

The three main ingredients used by Red Bull to provide energy are caffeine, sugar, and taurine.

The amount of taurine in a can of Red Bull in the United States is unknown. When taurine is combined with other ingredients like sugar, and caffeine, a significant improvement in mental and physical energy is achieved, according to this research report.

Caffeine deceives your nervous system into thinking you have a lot of energy. While carbs are broken down by the body to release energy, all of which contribute to an increase in your overall energy levels.

Things I Like About Red Bull

  • Includes a moderate amount of caffeine
  • Offers sugar-free versions
  • Tastes clean
  • Affordable

Things I Don’t Like About Red Bull

  • Includes artificial sweeteners
  • Includes sugar

Can Red Bull Kill You?

When consumed in moderation, Red Bull will not kill you.

Red Bull would be openly forbidden if it was not safe to have on the market. Energy drinks, on the other hand, should not be consumed in excess.

Red Bull is actually one of the safest energy beverages on the market, as it has only a moderate amount of caffeine and contains less sugar than other energy drinks.

Alternatives To Red Bull

Here are some keto-friendly energy drinks you can consider.

Monster Zero Ultra

Monster Zero Ultra is yet another keto-friendly energy drink with no added sugar or calories.

Despite the fact that Monster Zero Ultra contains 140mg of caffeine per can (more than my recommended 50–100 mg per can), it may be an appropriate energy drink to re-energize your tired body if necessary.

REIGN Energy Drink

One of the most popular keto-friendly energy drinks on the market today is Reign.

Reign energy drink, on the other hand, contains a lot of stimulants like caffeine in every single dose. This means that if you’re caffeine-sensitive, this isn’t for you.

REIZE Energy Drink (Top Pick)

REIZE
Try REIZE.

REIZE is, in my opinion, the most practical and effective keto-friendly energy drink on the market!

Each sachet is only 4g in weight, which is quite light considering the energy boost it provides.

Simply combine REIZE with water to create a refreshing and sparkling energy drink. It has the ability to charge you without causing any unwanted side effects. It is also suitable for those following a keto diet because it is sugar-free and carb-free.

It contains taurine, ginseng, and B vitamins for a long-lasting boost without causing a crash or any other unpleasant side effects.

Try REIZE now!

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