G Fuel and Monster are two of the most popular energy drinks being sold in the market right now.
Chances are, you’ve probably seen the iconic black and green cans of Monster and the starkly colorful tubs and cans of G Fuel while browsing around in stores.
The target audiences of both brands are relatively the same, so you may be confused about which one is better. Or furthermore, what sets the two apart.
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! I put both G Fuel and Monster head to head and tested various aspects of the drinks to come up with a final answer.
If you prefer not to read through the article, the short answer would be that it depends/ If you’re carrying out physically demanding tasks, the higher caffeine content of Monster should be the right choice.
G Fuel comes in canned and powdered versions; to make things less complicated, I will compare Monster with powdered G Fuel as it’s the more popular variant.
Let’s get into it!
Contents
Ingredients in G Fuel and Monster
To start, we’ll have a look at all the ingredients that go in both drinks.
G Fuel
Energy Complex:
- 1.79 G Taurine
- L-citrulline Malate
- Caffeine (140 Mg)
- Glucuronolactone
- N-Acetyl-l-Carnitine HCI
Focus Complex:
- 1001 Mg L-tyrosine
- N-acety-l-tyrosine
- Adenosine-5 Triphosphate Disodium Salt (atp)
Antioxidant Complex:
- 26 Mg Pomegranate Fruit Extract, Pineapple Fruit Powder, Apple Fruit Powder, Orange Fruit Powder, Blueberry Fruit Powder, Grape Seed Powder, Grapefruit Fruit Powder, Plum Fruit Powder, Raspberry Fruit Powder, Strawberry Fruit Powder, Watermelon Fruit Powder, Lemon Fruit Powder, Lime Fruit Powder, Melon Fruit Powder, Sour Cherry Fruit Powder, Papaya Fruit Powder, Peach Fruit Powder, Pyrus Communis Fruit Powder.
Other Ingredients:
- Maltodextrin, Watermelon Fruit Powder, Malic Acid, Silicon Dioxide, Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose.
Monster
On the other hand, Monster comes with the following ingredients:
- Carbonated Water
- Citric Acid
- Natural Flavors
- Taurine
- Sodium Citrate
- Color Added
- Panax Ginseng Extract
- L-Carnitine L-Tartrate
- Sorbic Acid
- Benzoic Acid
- Sucralose
- D-Glucuronolactone
- Inositol
- Guarana Extract
- Maltodextrin
- Vitamin B2, B3, B6, and B12
G Fuel Vs. Monster
Moving towards the things you’re probably most concerned about, here is an in-depth comparison of the key nutritional aspects of both drinks.
Caffeine
The caffeine amount in both Monster and G Fuel is identical.
Per 16 ounces, G Fuel contains 140mg of caffeine while Monster has 160mg. This amount is pretty standard among energy drinks.
These numbers might not make sense at the moment and you might be wondering if this is either high or low.
To make things clearer, the FDA recommends a maximum daily limit of 400mg to avoid any negative health effects.
One drink of G Fuel or Monster should be the most you’re having in a day, as 150mg of caffeine should keep you energized for a good 10 hours.
Sugar
G Fuel contains zero added sugars and instead uses artificial sweeteners, whereas a 16 fl oz can of Monster contains 50 grams.
G Fuel wins this one as the sugar content in Monster is pretty significant considering the NHS recommends not having no more than 30g in a day.
It can be argued that artificial sweeteners are just as equally bad, considering several studies conducted on Sucralose have shown it to be unsafe.
One common factor in all researchers is that the adverse effects were only on either people with past health issues or when heating Sucralose.
If taken in moderation, artificial sweeteners are healthier compared to sugar. And hey, if you want to be on the safe side, you can always check out these sugar-free brands.
Calories
Each 16 ounce serving of G Fuel contains 15 calories, while Monster includes 191.
If you do not work out regularly and would like to stay in shape, G Fuel would be the right drink for you.
Its 15 calories should be easy to burn off from a quick morning jog or commute to the local public transport.
Only go for Monster if you have a healthy diet and exercise daily, the large number of calories in it can prove to be dangerous if taken in excess.
The advised daily maximum intake of calories is 2500 for men and 2000 for women.
Of course, some energy drink brands have gone calorie-free in order to cater to a wider range of lifestyles and diet needs.
Which Works Better?
The caffeine amount in both drinks is almost the same, so we’ll have a look at other energizers present in both drinks to judge which one energizes better.
Monster contains a more significant number of B Vitamins than G Fuel, these are essential in boosting energy by converting carbohydrates within the body into glucose.
Another energy booster, Taurine, is present in both drinks.
Monster contains an added L-Carnitine and Guarana Extract, these enhance athletic performance and turn fat into energy.
G Fuel also contains Glucuronolactone and L-Citrulline, which also provide a performance-boosting effect.
G Fuel and Monster are both even in this category as they provide similar levels of added energy.
Which Tastes Better?
Both brands have a wide range of flavors that is sure to tickle your fancy. Monster has 34 flavors while G Fuel has 20, so technically Monster has more options, but 20 isn’t such a shabby number too.
To be honest, G Fuel flavors aren’t half-bad. They have Blue Ice, Strawberry Banana, and so on and so forth. They tend to stay within the fruity, citrusy flavor profile and while I did like the sharpness of their range, it didn’t really stand out to me.
Meanwhile, the original Monster flavor has a carbonated apple-ish flavor that tastes fresh and tangy. For me, Monster flavors taste more natural, but that’s just me.
As I said, they have wide enough flavor ranges that you’ll surely find something you’ll like!
Which is Cheaper?
You can buy a tub of G Fuel for $36, including forty 16 ounce servings, this makes the cost of one drink of G Fuel only around $0.9.
One can of Monster, on the other hand, costs almost $2, double that of G Fuel.
In the long run, G Fuel is sure to be less harsh on your wallet compared to Monster.
Are Both Bad For You?
Having more than one or two cans of either of the drinks can cause a caffeine overdose and result in these side effects:
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Abnormal Heart Beat
- Anxiety
Monster also has a large amount of sugar, this can also be troublesome, watch the video below for a detailed answer.
G Fuel and Monster Alternatives
If you’re looking for something different, you can try out these energy drinks instead:
Other Notable Mentions:
Bottom Line
In terms of energy boost, both Monster and G Fuel are identical and you won’t notice much difference.
I like Monster’s taste better than G Fuel but the wide variety of both means you are sure to find one you like.
The only difference is G Fuel uses artificial sweeteners while Monster uses natural sugar, G Fuel has the upper hand in this. Also, Monster has loads more calories than G Fuel, so you should also consider that.
The important thing is that you find the drink that fits your taste and lifestyle the most!