Red Eye is an Australian energy drink brand specifically formulated to boost energy levels and physical performance. It’s actually known as the first energy-enhancing drink in the country.
With several natural ingredients like Ginko Biloba and green tea extracts, many are looking into whether it’s one of the healthiest energy drinks around or if it’s bad for drinkers.
For a short answer: An 11.16 fl.oz serving of Red Eye won’t be bad for healthy adults. However, people that are sensitive to both caffeine and sugar may go through a lot of side effects.
If you want to know more about the topic, then read on to the following sections.
Contents
What Are The Ingredients Of Red Eye?
The key ingredients of Red Eye include Taurine, Guarana Extract, Ginko Biloba, Ginseng Extract, Gotu Kola, and a number of other natural health supplements.
- Carbonated Spring Water
- Sucrose
- Citric Acid
- Natural and Nature Identical Flavours
- Preservatives (211)
- Caffeine
- Taurine
- Inositol
- Niacin (Vitamin B3)
- Guarana Extract
- Ginko Biloba
- Ginseng Extract
- Gotu Kola
- Ginger
- Green Tea Extract
- Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
- Vitamin B6
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Vitamin B12
So far, the ingredient list of Red Eye is a good catch. With an ideal line of B-Complex, extracts, and natural flavourings, you can expect to get more than just your daily boost of energy.
Nutrition Facts Of Red Eye
Here is an image and table about the nutrition facts of Red Eye:
| Nutrient | Values per 11.16 fl. oz |
| Energy | 634kJ/149 calories |
| Protein | <1g |
| Fat (Of which are Saturated) | <1g (<1g) |
| Carbohydrates (Of which are Sugars) | 37.3g (36.3g) |
| Sodium | <5mg |
| Caffeine | 106mg |
| Vitamin B5 | 5mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 20mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 5mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 5µg |
| Taurine | 60mg |
| Inositol | 50mg |
On the good side, we see that it has a good amount of Inositol and Taurine. These will give way to several benefits, most especially when it comes to the former further boosting caffeine’s effects.
The con, however, lies in the sugar level. All the other ingredients are moderately distributed apart from it. We’ll discuss this more in the later sections, but if it put you off, you can opt for sugar-free drinks instead.
How Much Caffeine Is In Red Eye?
An 11.16 fl. oz serving of Red Eye Energy Drink has 106mg of caffeine.
Red Eye has a moderate amount of caffeine. It’s just right to give you a good boost of energy for the day. On par with Australia’s caffeine limit of 80mg per 8.45 fl. oz, 106mg won’t necessarily push you off the threshold.
Even so, people that are sensitive to caffeine should still avoid this. Otherwise, you may face side effects like:
- Anxiousness
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Palpitations
- High Blood Pressure
Red Eye’s caffeine won’t be a matter of concern if limited to only one serving. It may just not be fully enough for those who need a boost for all-nighters or heavy workouts.
How Much Sugar Is In Red Eye?
Red Eye contains 36.3g of sugar per 11.16 fl.oz serving.
Food Standards Australia specifies healthy adults to keep their sugar intake to 50g max. Since Red Eye’s sugar level is more than half of the said amount, it can easily give you too much of the said ingredient.
Hence, consuming one serving can lead to:
- High Blood Pressure
- Increased Risk of Stroke
- Fatigue
- Mood Issues
- Weight Gain
For the safest intake, stick to only one bottle of Red Eye in a day. This is the most concerning out of all the drink’s qualities, especially for those that are sensitive to sugar.
How Many Calories Are In Red Eye?
An 11.16 fl. oz serving of Red Eye has 149 calories or 634 kilojoules.
Red Eye’s calorie count isn’t high compared to the FDA’s recommended daily calorie intake of 2,100 calories. If you’re not following any type of special diet, then you won’t have to worry about heavy adjustments with your meals.
Is Red Eye Bad For You?
One serving of Red Eye won’t necessarily be bad for healthy adults.
Considering that you have no issues with any of the ingredients of Red Eye, then you can rest assured that drinking one serving won’t put you at risk.
Instead, you can expect it to give you a good amount of energy boost. It will probably last for up to 5 to 6 hours before it eventually wears down.
Note, though, that drinking more than one serving will be bad for you.
Two bottles will already give you 212mg of caffeine, 72.6g of sugar, and 298 calories, all of which are in risky amounts. This can lead to side effects relating to both caffeine and sugar.
For safest intake, only drink Red Eye if necessary. I don’t recommend going in for another serving any time of the day since we’re also dealing with high sugar levels.
Who Can’t Drink Red Eye?
People with caffeine and sugar sensitivity can’t drink Red Eye.
Since the ingredient list of Red Eye as a whole is rather ideal than risky, any healthy adult will find a refreshing boost after drinking Red Eye.
However, this won’t be true for those who have issues with caffeine and sugar. This is also the same for the following categories:
- Children and teenagers under 18
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women
- People with underlying health conditions (Heart, liver, mental)
If you’re one of the people above, it’s best to consult a health professional or a dietician before testing the waters. In this way, you can avoid going through unwanted effects.
Flavours Of Red Eye
Red Eye has 6 flavours.
Here is a list of the variations that you can choose from:
- Classic
- Power
- Gold
- Passion
- Extreme
- Platinum
The main difference between the flavours above is the intensity of the ingredients. Make sure that you check each label before drinking since the information given in this article is only based on the Platinum variation.
For a more detailed review of the drink, here is a video that you can refer to:
To what extent are energy drinks harmful?
Caffeine in large doses has been linked to major cardiac and blood vessel issues, including irregular heartbeats, increased heart rate, and elevated blood pressure. The cardiovascular and neurological systems of youngsters are still growing, and caffeine may damage this process.
For example, if the caffeine content of a typical caffeinated energy drink is 300 milligrams, then the consumer would need to consume 10 of these beverages in rapid succession before their blood caffeine levels reached potentially fatal levels.
What’s worse, coffee or energy drink?
Even if there are certain benefits to energy drinks, coffee is the superior option. Coffee’s potential health advantages and ability to limit chemicals make it preferable to energy drinks, which often contain just a few trace nutrients and leave you feeling sluggish after a sugar rush.
In addition to the caffeine, most energy drinks include a lot of sugar, which will lead to a crash after the effects wear off. On the other hand, coffee provides more continuous energy without adding extra calories to your daily intake.
Is there a safe energy drink option?
Aspire is a great option if you’re seeking a sugar-free, carb-free, and calorie-free energy drink. The company behind the beverages claims that they give health advantages beyond those found in standard energy drinks.
Despite its widespread acceptance, the phrase “healthy energy drink” remains a contradiction in terms. Sugar-free beverages are preferable, but even some “healthy” options, such as those made with organic cane sugar or honey, nevertheless include some kind of added sugar.”
How Much Is Red Eye Energy Drink?
One 11.16 fl. oz Red Eye is sold for around $2 to $3, depending on the variation.
The price of Red Eye will mainly depend on where you buy it from, but you can expect it to be an affordable energy drink for a once-in-a-while boost.
For reference, here are some stores that you can check:
You can also check if you have local retailers of the drink around you to save more on shipping and transit costs.
Red Eye Alternatives
Here are a few alternatives to Red Eye:
Conclusion: Is Red Eye Bad For You?
Because one serving of Red Eye will give you 106mg of caffeine, 36.3g of sugar, and 149 calories, it can be bad for those who have issues with taking caffeine and sugar.
Even though Red Eye has several natural extracts, it won’t be able to compensate for its high sugar content. A single serving can already open sugar-related side effects like sugar crashes. Continuous consumption can also increase the risk of heart diseases.
To be fair, this won’t always be the case. Some people react to sugar well, and thus there won’t be anything to worry about.
For caffeine, Red Eye is equivalent to a little more than one cup of coffee. This is in a moderate amount, but people with caffeine sensitivity won’t be too pleased with the effects.
The answer to the question will generally depend on who will drink Red Eye. If you’re anything other than a healthy adult, then you should consider looking for a brand with lower sugar levels.