Rockstar has a name fit for its achievements – it’s considered one of the brightest stars in the energy drink industry with unit sales of over 77.5 million. Formulated in Las Vegas in the year 2001, it quickly became the fastest-growing beverage brand in the United States.
It has been successful in grabbing the attention of energy drink fanatics from all around the globe including those who are on the hunt for a daily caffeine fix. However, is it safe for daily consumption?
You can drink Rockstar as long as you are not sensitive to caffeine or sugar. Those who do not have a pre-existing medical condition are also welcome to enjoy the drink – however, this is not on an everyday basis.
Let’s dive deep into this article and consider whether Rockstar energy drinks have what it takes to be a beverage fit for daily consumption.
Contents
Ingredients in Rockstar Energy Drinks
Here is the list of the ingredients in each serving of Rockstar:
- Carbonated Water
- Sugar
- Glucose
- Citric Acid
- Taurine
- Natural Flavors
- Sodium Citrate
- Caffeine
- Benzoic Acid (Preservative)
- Sorbic Acid (Preservative)
- Inositol
- L-Carnitine
- Guarana Seed Extract
- Acesulfame Potassium
- Sucralose
- Red 40
- Panax Ginseng Root Extract
- Niacinamide
- Milk Thistle Extract
- Pantothenic Acid
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
- Cyanocobalamin
The list shows that the drink contains a lot of healthy ingredients but there are some unhealthy ones as well. Some of the components to watch out for are Red 40, taurine, ginseng, preservatives, sugar, and caffeine.
Rockstar Energy Drink Nutrition Facts
It is crucial to look at a brand’s nutritional label before consuming it. This especially applies when you are allergic to certain food ingredients or have a pre-existing health disorder.
Below is a table showing nutritional values in a single serving of Rockstar energy drink.
| Nutrient | Quantity | % Daily Value |
| Total Fat | 1.1 g | 2 % |
| Saturated Fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Trans Fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0 g | 3% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0 g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 77 mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 61 g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g | 1% |
| Sugar | 59 g | |
| Protein | 1.6 g | |
| Vitamin D | 0 mcg | 0% |
| Calcium | 5 mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0 mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 29 mg | 1% |
| Caffeine | 158.4 mg |
If you’re keen on learning more about Rockstar’s nutritional values, I have a recent article that fits the bill.
Sugar Content in Rockstar Energy Drink
A single can of Rockstar energy drink contains 24 grams of sugar which in my opinion is quite a lot. One serving of Rockstar is equal to 16 fl. oz in a can.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the daily maximum recommended sugar intake is:
| Men | 36 grams |
| Women | 25 grams |
Consuming high amounts of sugar is undoubtedly hazardous to your health. As long as you don’t put a limit on your daily intake of Rockstar, you are certainly doing more harm to your body than benefit.
I highly recommend that you consume Rockstar energy drinks in moderation as their sugar content is quite high. Personally speaking, with the high amount of sugar in each can of this beverage, I try to limit myself to about half a serving each time.
Neglecting the daily recommended value and consuming too much sugar will lead to the following:
- Acne
- Weight Gain / Obesity
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Low Energy Levels (Sugar Crash)
- Low Mood
- Fatigue
- Bloating
- Allergy
- High-Blood Pressure
- Accelerate Skin Aging Process
- Fatty Liver
- Cavities
- Increased Risk of Cancer
Caffeine Content of Rockstar Energy Drink
There is 160 mg of caffeine in one can of Rockstar energy drink. This level falls under the middle-tier spectrum which may be ideal for veteran caffeine consumers.
If you are someone with high caffeine tolerance level, this might be a good pick for you. Nonetheless, for someone like me who can withstand no more than 100 mg of caffeine in one go, it might not be a suitable option.
Consuming 160 mg of caffeine in single-serving can kick your blood pressure levels. While Rockstar may not cross the threshold of the daily caffeine limit, take note that it’s still high compared to other less potent ones on the market.
The FDA recommends consuming only 400mg of caffeine in a day for a healthy adult. Each serving should not cross the 200mg boundary.
160 mg is still about twice the amount of caffeine in a regular cup of coffee. Thus, I think it’s more than enough to help you get through the day with flying colors.
Consuming more than 400 mg of caffeine a day can lead to some drastic side-effects such as:
- Insomnia
- Shakiness
- Anxiousness
- Increased Heart Rate
- Stomachaches
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Dysphoria (A Feeling of Unhappiness)
Rockstar also included a warning label in their can – teenagers, in particular, don’t have the necessary body development able to handle this much caffeine in their system.
The same goes for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers who want to consume Rockstar energy drinks due to the side effects of their high caffeine content.
If you’re a beginner in the world of caffeinated beverages, choose energy drinks that have little caffeine. Personally, I think 50 to 80mg is enough.
Flavors of Rockstar Energy Drink
Flavors exist because companies like to offer variations. In my opinion, variety helps spice up a drink’s line-up and gives a chance for other people to hunt their all-time favorite variation.
You will be glad to know that Rockstar has a wide plethora of flavors. You can drink it often without getting tired of the same old flavor – as long as you don’t drink too much in a day and you’re good on your Rockstar taste tests!
Here’s a list of Rockstar variety:
- BOOM! Whipped & Blended Orange
- BOOM! Whipped & Blended Strawberry
- Freeze Lime
- Freeze Pina Colada
- Hardcore Apple
- Juiced Island Mango
- Juiced Pineapple Orange Guava
- Organic Island Fruit
- Organic Strawberry
- Thermo Neon Blast
- Thermo Tropical Fire
- Xdurance Blue Raspberry
- Xdurance Cotton Candy
- Xdurance Kiwi Strawberry
- Xdurance Marshmallow
- Xdurance Peach Tea
- Xdurance Sour Apple
Is Rockstar Energy Drink Hypertensive?
Rockstar energy drink is not specifically hypertensive. However, like other energy drinks, it does have an effect on blood pressure levels.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, it was revealed that energy drinks affect blood pressure levels.
The blood pressure of some healthy young individuals was measured before consuming energy drinks and after consuming them. Their blood pressure rose exponentially and the difference between the before and after are prominent.
One of the causes of the increase in blood pressure after consuming energy drinks is the caffeine in them. A study revealed that high blood pressure can be dramatically increased by caffeine even in individuals who don’t exhibit a past history of blood pressure.
It is, however, still unknown that why caffeine interferes with blood pressure levels. Some researchers believe that caffeine blocks the hormone that is involved in widening the blood arteries and that results in an increase in blood pressure.
Based on my findings in my extensive journey in the energy drink industry, here are the best options for those with high blood pressure.
Can You Drink Rockstar Every Day?
Drinking Rockstar Energy Drink every day is completely fine but only if:
- You don’t have any prior medical condition or restriction from caffeine or other ingredients of the drink
- You consume no more than a single can in a day
If you’re a person with health problems, I would not recommend you drink it every day. The high sugar and caffeine levels are not safe for daily consumption.
The rule is to drink Rockstar every day as long as you stick to a hard limit of no more than one can per day. This is really pushing it though, as consuming energy drinks daily may yield unexpected results.
Check his video below to learn what happens when you consume energy drinks daily:
If you suffer from irregular blood pressure levels, I would advise you to consult with your doctor before including Rockstar Energy Drink in your daily diet.
Rockstar Energy Drink Alternatives
If you’re looking for a drink that tastes different from Rockstar, here are some options you can choose from.
Other Notable Mentions:
Conclusion
In my opinion, if you’re a healthy adult used to drinking caffeinated beverages, you can drink Rockstar Energy Drink every day to get that much-needed energy boost to complete your tasks. However, just to be on the safe side, stick to only one can a day.
Just remember that Rockstar contains 160mg of caffeine, and that amount is a bit above average so if you go overboard, you may feel some nasty side effects.
If you’re caffeine-sensitive, I don’t recommend drinking Rockstar every day. You can look for other energy drink brands with lower caffeine levels.