NOS Energy has been a statement energy drink for a long time, its distinct taste of a combination of juice and soda is arguably the aspect that sets it apart from its other competitors.
However, the saying of too much of a good thing can be a bad thing is accurate, and unfortunately, this is the case for NOS Energy Drink.
In my opinion, you should limit yourself to a maximum of one can of NOS Energy per day due to its high sugar content of 54g of sugar. Even one can of NOS Energy already exceeds your daily sugar maximum limit, so if I were you, I’d stick to half a can a day.
Read on to find out why that is by understanding NOS Energy’s nutritional facts and ingredients.
Contents
Nutritional Facts Of NOS Energy Drink
| Typical Values | NOS Energy Drink (16 fl.oz) |
| Energy | 210 calories |
| Protein | 0g |
| Fat (Of which Saturated) | 0g (0g) |
| Carbohydrate (Of which Sugars) | 54g (54g) |
| Caffeine | 160mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 3.4mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 4.8μg |
Calorie Content In NOS Energy Drink
NOS Energy Drink has 210 calories per 16 fl.oz serving, which is quite a hefty amount for an energy drink.
If you’re on a strict diet or want to stay away from added calories, NOS Energy may not be the right fit for your lifestyle.
In general, healthy adults need to consume an average of 2000 to 2500 calories per day, so a can of NOS Energy will take up a lot of your daily calorific intake. But if you’re someone with a consistent workout schedule, you can surely burn off those extra calories from NOS.
Aside from being active, a properly balanced meal is crucial, so you shouldn’t use NOS Energy as a meal replacement. Remember, energy drinks do not contain all the nutrients your body needs, and the best way you get these nutrients is still from actual food.
All in all, it’s always a good idea to keep your NOS Energy intake in moderation to avoid consuming high calories in your diet.
The Ingredients In NOS Energy Drink
Here’s a list of ingredients you can find in a 16fl.oz can of NOS Energy:
- Carbonated Water
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Citric Acid
- Natural Flavors
- Sodium Citrate
- Sodium Hexametaphosphate (Preservative)
- Taurine
- Caffeine
- Potassium Sorbate (Preservative)
- Caramel Color
- Sucralose
- Inositol
- Calcium Disodium Edta (Preservative)
- Red 40
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
- Guarana Extract
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
How Much Caffeine Is In A Can Of NOS Energy?
NOS Energy Drink contains up to 160mg of caffeine per 16 fl.oz can, which is a relatively moderate amount considering that the average caffeine content in energy drinks is 50mg to 300mg of caffeine.
Other brands such as Reign and Bang Energy both contain about 300mg of caffeine in each can. Although the amount in the NOS is smaller, it’s best to be cautious.
Every time I take too much caffeine, I become fidgety as my acidity levels start to go up. So if you’re sensitive to caffeine like me, I highly recommend you opt for energy drinks with lesser caffeine content.
But if your tolerance level for caffeine is relatively high, then NOS Energy makes a great source of a pick-me-up at any time of the day. Still, I highly recommend you be mindful of your intake regardless of whether you’re a regular caffeine drinker.
As a reference, the standard set by the FDA is a maximum of 400mg of caffeine a day for healthy adults, which is an evident disparity compared to NOS Energy. However, it’s just as easy to tip over the limit, and this can welcome some unfavorable health issues such as:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Rapid heartbeat
- Insomnia
So, do your health a favour and control your intake of NOS Energy, and you can also consult your doctor if you’re still unsure of the caffeine content in this drink.
How Much Sugar Is There In NOS Energy Drink?
A single 16fl.oz serving of NOS Energy offers a high amount of 54g of sugar.
It’s no surprise that this is the case since the drink is known for its appeal of tasting sweet. The only concern is that NOS Energy doubles the expected amount a person should consume within a day.
The 54g of sugar in NOS Energy exceeds the maximum daily sugar intake of 25g for women and 36 for men, as recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA). The recommendation has a glaring difference from what the NOS contains.
To add on, regularly consuming high sugar content can lead to serious health problems in the long run, and they include:
- Acne
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- High blood pressure
Therefore, always be mindful of your limit when taking NOS Energy since it contains double the amount of sugar you should have in a day. Plus, sugary energy drinks leave no space for other food containing sugar in your diet.
What Is Sucralose In NOS Energy?
NOS Energy contains sucralose, a type of artificial sugar or sweetener known to be 400-700 sweeter than sugar.
While sucralose is sweeter than regular sugar, it also contains zero calories, so you don’t have to worry about any additional sugar intake in NOS Energy, especially with its already high sugar content.
However, according to this study, the use of sucralose can be harmful as it may damage the metabolic process of the body.
So while you get to enjoy sweetness without the guilt that comes with it, it’s still best to consume sucralose in moderation.
Other Ingredients In NOS Energy
High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)
High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is another form of added sugar derived from corn syrup. You can find this ingredient in most processed food and soft drinks.
While it’s widely used in foods and drinks, a study shows that adverse effects include diabetes and metabolic health syndrome. Thus, it’s best to be mindful of the HFCS content in sugary drinks or the food you consume.
Taurine
Taurine is naturally part of our metabolic system. It’s a type of amino acid that promotes protein, and it works as the key function in the heart and brain.
Its benefits include enhancing your physical performance and promotes a healthy metabolism, so it’s no surprise that it’s used in energy drinks like NOS Energy. This ingredient is also popularly used as a supplement for athletes as it helps to protect muscles.
Guarana
Guarana is an ingredient that contains a tad more caffeine than coffee. It’s grown in the Brazilian states of Amazonas, and it’s a popular ingredient found in most energy drinks.
This ingredient is used for weight loss, to enhance athletic performance, and as a stimulant that helps to reduce fatigue. Thus, it’s clear that guarana in NOS Energy contributes to increasing the energy levels you get from the drink.
Does Drinking NOS Energy Bring Any Health Complications?
As cliche as it sounds, NOS Energy isn’t selling itself as a healthy drink per se. So if you aren’t drinking it moderately, you may be more prone to side effects and long term health issues from its caffeine and sugar content.
Concerning NOS Energy’s caffeine content, I think 160mg of caffeine is a considerable amount. Other drinks like coffee, tea, and sodas are relatively the same, so it all boils down to your preferred caffeine intake.
However, 54g of sugar for an energy drink could be alarming, so you should always proceed with caution for the sake of your health.
When you take two or more cans of NOS Energy, there might be a possibility you may undergo a caffeine overdose. Or, in a more extreme sense, diabetes due to its high sugar content.
While there’s no denying that the risks of experiencing health complications with NOS Energy are higher than healthier energy drinks, as long as you control your intake and have it only when you need a boost of energy, you should be fine.
Is NOS a good workout drink?
If used in moderation, NOS might be an effective pre-workout beverage. NOS contains 160mg of caffeine and 54g of sugar, providing a healthy dose of both to fuel your exercises.
NOS, on the other hand, has a lot of sugar and calories, which might have some very bad implications on your health. While just one can of NOS will not necessarily harm your health, regular consumption of two or more cans may put you in danger for caffeine overdose and diabetes.
How long does Nos energy drink last?
It’s true that NOS energy drinks may keep you going for a while, but their peak effectiveness often wears off after only an hour or two. Their added caffeine won’t give you a noticeable boost in energy for more than a few hours.
While the high sugar content of NOS Energy Drink is great for giving you a temporary burst of energy, it also causes a sugar crash as your blood sugar levels quickly rise and then plummet.
Is NOS Energy Bad For You?
NOS Energy drink isn’t bad for you as long as you consume it moderately and have a healthy lifestyle.
For a clearer picture, have a look at how NOS Energy compares to the daily maximum limit in the table below:
| NOS Energy Drink (16 fl.oz) | Daily Max Limit (Female/Male) | |
| Calories | 210 calories | 2400 calories / 3000 calories |
| Sugar | 54g | 25g / 36g |
| Caffeine | 160mg | 400mg |
NOS Energy has 160mg of caffeine, and that’s below the average limit a person can have a day. The caffeine content of NOS Energy is close to a grande of Starbucks with 150mg of caffeine. Meanwhile, a venti order in Starbucks has 226mg of caffeine.
But of course, regularly consuming too much caffeine, in general, will eventually lead to various health risks, including a caffeine overdose.
Signs of caffeine overdose:
- Dizziness
- Diarrhoea
- Increased Thirst
- Insomnia
- Headache
- Fever
- Irritability
To add on, NOS Energy also has a high calorie and sugar content which I strongly suggest you opt for healthier alternatives, especially if you have a more sedentary lifestyle or diabetic.
But if you stick to a healthy dose of NOS Energy, I think it’ll make a pretty good performance booster.
Pros And Cons Of NOS Energy Drink
Let’s start with the Pros of NOS Energy Drink:
- Increased alertness
- Boost performance for workouts or activities that require energy
- Put you in a good mood
It is, without a doubt, that people drink energy drinks to fuel up and have more energy to power through activities. Plus, NOS Energy contains beneficial ingredients like taurine and guarana extract, which I’m sure will be an added advantage for you.
While NOS is a tasty and delicious energy drink that will do the trick, some cons to look out for include:
- Bad for the heart
Too much consumption of energy drinks can be bad for your heart. That study shows that 8 oz. of energy drinks can actually spike up your blood pressure and lead to a heart attack. However, they do agree that 400 mg of caffeine is enough for the day.
- May lead to a sugar crash
Since the NOS Energy drink contains a lot of sugar, you’ll most likely experience a sugar crash from this. Consuming sugary energy drinks can give you a sugar rush, but it can also lead to your energy levels crashing down.
If you’re interested to learn more about sugar crash, check out the video below:
- High-calorie content
| NOS Energy Drink (16fl.oz) | Red Bull (8.4fl.oz) | Monster Energy (16fl.oz) | |
| Calorie Content | 210 calories | 110 calories | 210 calories |
Compared to Red Bull and Monster, NOS Energy has a tad bit more calorie count. If you are on a diet, you might want to consider going for energy drinks with fewer calories.
How Many Cans Of NOS Energy Drink Can I Drink A Day?
You should stick to only one can of NOS Energy per day.
In my opinion, one can of NOS Energy’s caffeine content of 160mg of caffeine should be enough to keep you up and running throughout the day. But if you’re sensitive to caffeine, it’s best to opt for other low caffeinated energy drinks.
But as stated earlier, NOS Energy is a highly sugary energy drink, so having more than one can a day is dangerous to your health.
Overall, I strongly advise you to limit yourself to just one can of NOS Energy drink a day and keep your daily sugar intake in check.
Personal Opinions
I suggest having a maximum of one can of NOS Energy Drink a day.
While NOS Energy has plenty of benefits for an energy drink, its sugar content is simply harmful and not at all a healthy amount, especially for those who have a medical condition or are relatively younger.
Regularly drinking an additional 54g of sugar isn’t a healthy habit, and you’ll surely reap the effects in the long run. So again, don’t drink more than one can per day.
If you’re not keen on all that added sugar in NOS Energy, you can try out Celsius Energy Drink which not only has zero sugar but is also vegan-friendly.