Short answer: Like every energy drink, Monster also has an expiry date. After being manufactured, they have a shelf life of 18 to 24 months.
Every food product has an expiration date. Food manufacturers use different terms for it on the label such as best before, use-by date, etc.
Monster Energy Drink contains caffeine, taurine, glucuronolactone, B vitamins, and other minerals.
It comes in a variety of flavors and is notorious for having a lot of sugar and caffeine in it. It does not, however, contain any artificial sweeteners.
Because of its high sugar content, this drink is particularly popular among teens and young adults.
Many people drink monster energy to help them remain awake through longer periods of study or exams.
Contents
Nutrition Facts Of Monster Energy Drink
Here is a picture of the nutrients present in a single can of Monster Energy.
| Nutrients | Amount per 16 fl. oz |
| Energy | 210 calories |
| Fat (Of which Saturated) | 0g (0g) |
| Carbohydrates (Of which Sugars) | 54g (54g) |
| Caffeine | 160mg |
| Protein | 0g |
| Sodium | 370mg |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 3.6mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 46mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 4.6mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 13µg |
Calories in Monster Energy Drink
There are 210 calories in 1 can (16 fl. oz) of Monster Energy Drink.
According to NHS, women are recommended to consume 2,000 calories per day and men are recommended to consume 2500 calories per day. So, one Monster Energy Drink would make up around 10% of your recommended daily caloric intake.
If you are an aspiring bodybuilder, athlete, or diet-conscious, you need to be very careful with your calorie intake if you want to add lean muscle mass and avoid body fats.
You can opt for no-calorie energy drinks if you are on a diet and want to lose weight.
Caffeine in Monster Energy Drink
There is 160 mg of caffeine in one can of Monster Energy Drink.
According to a study, caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world.
It occurs naturally in over 60 plants and is commonly added to soft drinks, energy drinks, coffee, and tea. Some of these plants include cocoa beans, kola nuts, and tea leaves.
Energy drinks contain caffeine to provide you with energy and keep you alert. It also stimulates the central nervous system (brain), heart, muscles and provides an increase in alertness.
Caffeine works by blocking the effects of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that makes you tired. By blocking adenosine, it gives you a temporary boost in alertness and energy.
But it also elevates your heart rate and blood pressure while increasing the production of adrenaline.
According to FDA, the recommended maximum daily intake of caffeine is 400 mg. If you consume excess energy drinks, it can cause caffeine overdose.
Over-consumption of caffeine has the following side effects:
So, you need to consume energy drinks moderately.
Sugar in Monster Energy Drink
There is 54 g sugar in 1 can (16 fl. oz) of Monster Energy Drink.
The AHA recommends men should consume no more than 9 teaspoons (around 36 grams) of added sugar per day, and women should consume no more than 6 teaspoons (around 24 grams) of added sugar per day.
So if you’re having just one Monster Energy Drink today, you are consuming almost double the amount of sugar you should ideally be consuming in an entire day!
Overconsumption of sugar can lead to adverse side effects including:
- Increases weight
- Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases
- Increased risk of type-2 diabetes
- Skin problems
You can go for sugar-free energy drinks if you want to avoid these consequences.
What Does an Expiry Date Mean?
Just like other edibles, the expiration date is also mentioned on energy drinks including Monster energy drinks.
But what does it mean?
The expiration date tells you the duration in which the food will be of the best quality. After this date, the food item can lose its quality for example texture or taste.
According to the USDA, the expiry date does not mean the food has become unsafe. Rest assured you’ll not lose your life eating expired food (pun intended).
But yes it’s better to not do it, just eat before it expires. However, keep an eye out for an off-odor, flavor, or texture that indicates the food has deteriorated and should not be consumed.
So before we go into details let me clear the air. Monster energy does go bad and yes they do have an expiry date.
How Long Does Monster Energy Last?
Monster cans, like the vast majority of ready-to-drink energy drinks, have an 18 to 24-month shelf life after production.
If your drinks are stored appropriately in a cool, dark environment that is not exposed to high heat, their shelf life should be extended by 6-9 months. And by doing so, you will preserve their flavor.
Even after nine months have passed, It is still likely to remain in good shape. As a result, you can drink monster without experiencing any negative side effects. However, keep the expiration date in mind.
How Long Do Monster Energy Drinks Last After They’ve Been Opened?
They can last up to 2-3 days maximum, but they will lose fizziness with time.
Like most soft drinks, Monster is also a carbonated beverage and the continuous loss of carbonation due to environmental exposure can cause the drink’s delightful tingling sensation to fade away, leaving it completely flat.
Also, avoid keeping it open for a longer time as numerous germs or bacteria can enter it!
What Happens if You Drink an Expired Monster?
Don’t worry it won’t be fatal. It is possible to drink an expired Monster energy drink safely. However, if it develops a different odor and appearance, then it can be harmful to your health.
An unopened can of monster, stored at a proper room temperature is probably okay to drink after a day or two of its expiry. However, it might have lost some of its fizzes.
Its components, such as Taurine, may lose their efficiency and potency after the expiration date.
How Can You Know If An Energy Drink Has Gone Bad?
Commercially packaged energy drinks will almost always display a “Best By,” “Best if Used By,” “Best Before,” or “Best When Used By” date; although, this is not a safety date; instead, it is the manufacturer’s estimate of how long the energy drinks will remain at excellent quality.
This will provide you with the official expiry date. Next, you can easily determine whether a single can of energy drink has expired or gone bad if the can seems ‘bloated’ or inflated.
You can read the difference between expiry date and best before date here!
Why Do Energy Drinks Get Bloated?
The acidic nature of the drink begins to erode the metal walls of the can, causing hydrogen gas to be produced and the can to expand.
The FDA guideline applies to practically any canned food or drinks: if it’s bloated, it’s almost probably tainted, and you should avoid it at all costs.
If there is any discoloration around the top of the can, this shows that it has leaked some liquid, and it is another indication that the can is unsafe to consume.
How Long Do Energy Drinks Last In Your Body?
According to Medical News Today, it takes up to 5-6 hours to reduce caffeine in your blood to the half amount. It takes 12 hours to free your body from the caffeine in an energy drink.
It depends on a variety of characteristics such as gender, metabolism, weight, and others.
The difference is that if you consume energy drinks frequently, your body may get habituated to them and hence respond slightly less to the caffeine you put into your body.
How Long Will Monster Energy Take To Affect Your Body?
A standard can of Monster has 160mg of caffeine per 16oz can, which is higher than Monster claims and approximately double the amount found in a cup of coffee.
Caffeine is fully absorbed into your system after around 45 minutes after consumption and can affect you for up to 7 hours. The rate at which this happens depends on a variety of factors, including age and activity level.
Here is a detailed video about how energy drinks affect your body over 24 hours
Other notable mentions
Last Thoughts
Monster Energy, as a drink, gives you a short energy boost by stimulating your neural system. It includes a lot of caffeine and sugar that can be dangerous if consumed in large amounts or over a long period.
Monster energy drinks can go bad. Monster cans, like the vast majority of ready-to-drink energy drinks, have an expiration date that ranges from 18 to 24 months after production.
If properly stored, your beverages should last 6 to 9 months after their expiration date.
If an energy drink goes bad, it is not hazardous; but, depending on the components used, it will begin to degrade.
Avoid buying cans that are bulging, corroded, leaky, or extensively damaged since they are more likely to spoil.
Moderate usage of the drink is safe for healthy people, but keep in mind that the product’s main advantages come only before the expiration date. So it is wise to do so.