According to an EFSA assessment, adults are more addicted to energy drink overconsumption than children and adolescents.
It was discovered that all three age groups drank excessive amounts of energy drinks when engaging in any sporting activity.
Let’s get started! The two energy drinks we’ll discuss in this article are Monster and Rockstar.
Although both Rockstar and Monster employ identical components, their relative values vary.
While Rockstar has 80 mg of caffeine per 8-ounce can, Monster has 86 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces (240 g), which doesn’t seem like much of a difference.
However, there are 27 g and 31 g of sugar in each of the eight-ounce serving sizes of Monster and Rockstar, respectively.
Keep reading to find out more.
Brand Image: Monster Vs Rockstar
The Monster Beverage Corporation invented the Monster Energy drink. Knowing that the brand had a 35% market share, which is the second-highest share after Red Bull, helps you estimate its popularity.
There were approximately 34 different drink types available under the Monster brand as of July 2019; these included:
- The Core Monster Energy line
- Java Monster
- Juice
- Hydro
- Strength
- Dragon Tea
- Muscle
- Rehab
Launched in the US in 2001, the Rockstar energy drink brand was sold to PepsiCo in 2020. Twenty different flavors of Rockstar drinks were offered in more than 30 countries as of 2013.
The caffeine content of Rockstar products in the US is either 10 or 15 mg per ounce.
Thus, a 16-ounce serving of the Rockstar Energy Drink Original contains 160 mg of caffeine, while a 16-ounce serving of the Rockstar Punched Energy drink contains 240 mg of caffeine.
Ingredients: Monster Vs Rockstar
Both have some similar ingredients like guarana, ginseng, and citric acid, whereas some other unique ingredients differentiate them both on the basis of taste and quality.
Let’s have a look at their ingredients.
| Monster | Rockstar |
| L-carnitine | Ginkgo Biloba |
| L-tartrate | Guarana |
| Taurine | Taurine |
| Guarana | Milk Thistle Extract |
| Carbonated Water | Carbonated Water |
| Benzoic Acid | Sugar |
| Citric Acid | Citric Acid |
| Glycine Maxglucuronolactone | Glucuronolactone |
| Sweeteners | Sweeteners |
| Ginseng | Ginseng |
Taurine
A naturally occurring amino acid with sulfur is taurine. Your heart, muscles, eyes, brain, and eyes are particularly concentrated with it.
Taurine is not utilized by your body to create proteins, despite the fact that amino acids are frequently referred to as the building blocks of proteins.
Instead, it is regarded as a conditionally essential amino acid, meaning that only under conditions of stress and sickness does it become essential.
Taurine supplementation may be advantageous for healthy people, particularly for those who exercise or play sports.
Read here to know more about the benefits of taurine.
Guarana
The Amazonian Guarani tribe gave the plant its name when it utilized its seeds to make a beverage. Guarana seeds are still employed in medicine today.
It is used as a stimulant, for weight loss, to improve sports performance, and to lessen physical and mental exhaustion. It is frequently included in goods for boosting energy and losing weight.
Guarana is additionally used by some to treat low blood pressure, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and to prevent dysentery and malaria. It can also be used as an astringent, to stimulate urine flow, and to increase sexual desire.
Ginseng
One of the several ginseng varieties frequently utilized in herbal therapy is Panax ginseng. East Asian highlands are the home of the ginseng plant, and it is from these mountains that the ginseng is consumed.
It is said that Panax ginseng can treat a number of chronic illnesses and ailments. However, there isn’t enough good data available to make specific suggestions about how to use it. Supposedly treating:
- Diabetes
- Cholesterol
- Inflammation
Other research on several teams of young athletes has revealed that Panax ginseng extract when compared to placebo groups, significantly improved performance indicators including forced vital capacity and maximum breathing capacity.
Nutrients: Monster Vs Rockstar
| Nutrients | Monster | Rockstar |
| Energy | 210 calories | 122 calories |
| Fat (Of which Saturated) | 0g (0g) | 0g |
| Carbohydrates (Of which Sugars) | 54g (54g) | 26g |
| Caffeine | 160mg | 160mg |
| Protein | 0g | 2g |
| Sodium | 370mg | 0.82g |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 3.6mg | – |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 46mg | 16g |
| Vitamin B6 | 4.6mg | 1.4mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 13µg | 2.5ug |
Calories
Monster has a high amount of calories compared to Rockstar.
The FDA recommends consuming 2000–2500 calories per day to maintain bodily function, although your requirements may differ based on your age, height, gender, and style of life.
If you are an athlete, you may burn off 100+ calories very quickly, so it may not seem like much, but if you lead a sedentary lifestyle, you should limit your intake of high-calorie energy drinks.
For this reason, Rockstar offers fewer calories than Monster. Long-term, it is best as an energy drink if you plan to consume it daily. A calorie-free energy drink would be even better.
Vitamins
You must be aware that anything in excess is harmful, which includes high doses of B vitamins. It may result in depression, skin disorders, digestive issues, blurred eyesight, and nerve damage.
Niacin, often known as Vitamin B3, and 200% of B12 and B6 are both contained in one can of Rockstar. Monster has a comparatively high amount of B-vitamin doses present in it.
Caffeine Content In Monster And Rockstar
Rockstar and Monster both contain 160mg of caffeine.
Energy drinks typically include 75 to 174 mg of caffeine per serving, while some of the higher caffeinated energy drinks may have as much as 400 mg. When used in this way, caffeine disrupts sleep and causes headaches, tachycardia, and anxiety.
The FDA recommends limiting daily caffeine intake to 400 mg. To avoid jitters from excessive usage, it is advised to limit your intake of energy drinks to just one serving each day.
It’s safe to say both energy drinks contain a moderate caffeine content, which is enough to keep you active and focused during the day, as well as at night.
Side Effects: Monster Vs Rockstar
Monster
When combined with alcohol, the Monster drink has been related to health problems like drunkenness. Additionally, continued excessive intake can cause psychological or cardiac problems.
Although the EFSA has determined that individuals can consume up to 400 mg of caffeine per day without experiencing any health effects, anything more than that can be lethal.
Children can experience the negative effects of coffee in even the lowest doses. For instance, a Californian woman sued Monster Beverage Corp.
She said that her son’s daily practice of taking two 16-ounce Monster cocktails was what ultimately led to his cardiac arrest and death.
Rockstar
Rockstar drink contains sugar, which can create jitters and anxiety. High blood sugar levels may also result from it.
Additionally, when Rockstar is combined with alcohol, the depressive effects of the alcohol may be hidden by the caffeine, increasing the likelihood of self-harm.
Because it included 67.5 grams of sugar, the Rockstar Original was dubbed the Worst Energy Drink by Men’s Health magazine. In response, Rockstar introduced Rockstar Recovery, a brand of low-calorie drinks containing electrolytes.
Additionally, a study looked at the dangers of taking energy drinks like Rockstar. According to the study’s findings, there are a number of potential negative consequences of energy drinks, including:
- Tingling or numbness of the skin.
- Insomnia.
- Headaches.
- Agitation.
- Restlessness.
- Dizziness or instability.
- Heart palpitations
- Shaking or tremors
Which Is Better: Monster Or Rockstar
In my opinion, Monster is superior to Rockstar because it has less sugar than Rockstar. Due to its high-calorie content, Rockstar has also been dubbed the Worst Energy Drink.
Because the adverse effects of taking Rockstar are so much worse than those of taking Monster, Monster is preferable to Rockstar.
Any energy drink with high caffeine and sugar content should be avoided. From that standpoint, Rockstar is an energy drink that is not fruit-based and has more caffeine and sugar than energy drinks that are. This makes its excessive intake even more dangerous.
While many people think that it’s the caffeine in Rockstar which causes health issues, let me tell you, it’s only one part of the problem
Alternatives To Monster And Rockstar
Xtend
Xtend is an extremely hydrating, nutritious energy drink that is loaded with electrolytes and BCAAs. It is an energy drink with no added sugar or calories and 125 mg of caffeine per serving.
Scivation, a South Californian company, makes the excellent pre-workout energy drink brand Xtend.
Currently, Xtend energy drinks are available in two different flavors. The first is the carbonated energy drink Xtend, which encourages muscle recovery and growth.
OCA
OCA is a plant-based energy beverage that uses tapioca, which comes from cassava root. Pure carbohydrates plus a trace amount of protein, fiber, and other nutrients can be found in tapioca.
You can benefit much from OCA if you consume it in moderation. 120 mg of caffeine is present. However, excessive intake can have negative consequences.
REIZE (Personal Favorite)
The 50mg of caffeine in a serving of REIZE is enough to get me boosted and energized for the day without feeling any discomfort.
In addition, I like that it contains taurine, ginseng, and B vitamins – a combination that promotes increased energy levels.
Conclusion
- The famous energy drink brands: Monster and Rockstar have nearly identical nutritional profiles.
- Given that Rockstar has more sugar than Monster does, Monster is preferable to Rockstar.
- Compared to energy drinks made with fruit, Rockstar has more caffeine and sugar, making excessive intake riskier.
- Because Rockstar and Monster contain more than their fair share of caffeine, it’s critical to monitor their intake.
Other Notable Mentions
Related Articles
Click here to view the Visual Story Version of this Article.