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Is Redline Bad for You? (Caution)

To say that Redline is a powerful energy drink is an understatement, to say the least. It contains a fearsome 316 mg of caffeine, giving you an instant energy boost that will get you roaring to go.

Just so it sinks in how strong Redline is, consider how Red Bull only has 80 mg of caffeine per can and yet has the reputation of getting students through all-night cram sessions. Imagine how 316 mg can affect your body!

Most energy drinks I sample usually range between 50 to 200 mg of caffeine only. I’d say that the ideal amount for me hovers around 100 mg since I already feel a substantial boost from that.

316 mg may seem overwhelming for you and I don’t blame you! I definitely do not recommend Red Bull for those who have low caffeine tolerance or those who are still beginners to energy drinks.

If you’re a healthy adult with an active lifestyle, I’d say that you can safely drink Redline a couple of times a week. But if you go beyond one bottle within a day or make drinking Redline a habit, that can definitely be bad for you and harm your health.

I’ll be exploring the potential side effects of Redline in this article, so keep on reading to stay informed!

Redline can

Redline Ingredients

Redline has no calories and is a proprietary blend of:

  • Caffeine Citrate
  • Caffeine Anhydrous
  • Pure Evodiamine
  • N-acetyl-L-Tyrosine
  • Potassium Citrate
  • Yerba Mate
  • Green Tea
  • 5-Hydroxy-L-Tryptophan (5-HTP)
  • Vinpocetine
  • Yohimbine HCl

Other Ingredients include Purified Water, Natural & synthetic Flavors, Natural red dye, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Phosphate Dibasic, Sucralose, Potassium Sorbate, and Disodium EDTA.

Redline Nutrition Facts

Now let’s take a look at the drink’s nutrition facts!

NutrientsAmount per serving
Sodium10 mg
Calcium5 mg
Magnesium2.5 mg
Potassium26 mg
proprietary blend657 mg
beta-alanine
coffee anhydrous158 mg
L-leucine
Nutrition facts


An “electrolyte matrix” comprising calcium, potassium, and magnesium are mentioned on the Redline nutritional facts label. It offers 0% of the daily value for calcium and 1% of the daily value for potassium and magnesium, according to the daily value guideline.

Redline nutrition facts

How Much Caffeine Does Redline Have in It?

Redline contains 31.25 mg/fl oz (about 105.67 mg /100 ml) of caffeine. A single 8 fl oz bottle contains 250 mg of caffeine.

Caffeine is a popular stimulant that affects your nervous system and improves your alertness and concentration. Energy drinks are popular because they contain caffeine which can power people through their days.

While caffeine does have some health benefits, it’s important to note that excessively consuming this stimulant can lead to these side effects:

  • Increased heart rate
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness

The FDA recommends a 400mg daily caffeine intake limit. 316 mg is already pretty close to that limit, so I suggest drinking half a serving first to see how Redline would affect you.

What Does Redline Do to Your Body?

Within 15-30 minutes of consuming Redline, your body will immediately feel the increased energy and alertness.

You will hit your peak around the 30-minute mark, so make sure you’re maximizing the caffeine boost by doing physical activities, especially if you want to shed some pounds.

All of the caffeine in an energy drink is absorbed within 30-50 minutes of consumption, and the liver responds by absorbing more sugar into the blood. Within an hour, the caffeine’s benefits will begin to fade, and a sugar crash may develop. Energy levels will drop, and weariness will set in.

Redline is best suited for bodybuilders because it contains several strong compounds that are not good for the average energy drink user.

Is Redline Energy Drink Safe?

Due to the drink’s high caffeine content, it’s not safe for those who are caffeine-sensitive.

Even if you are already used to consuming caffeinated beverages, it’s not good to make a habit of drinking Redline since it can lead to a higher caffeine tolerance, which means you’ll need more and more caffeine per day just to get the same level of an energy boost.

I did some digging and some reports have detailed several individual cases of consumers experiencing negative side effects after drinking Redline.

A 57-year-old man experienced a hemorrhagic stroke after drinking a whole bottle of Redline. He said that his symptoms began 15 minutes after using the substance. To be fair, he did not follow the bottle’s instructions to only drink half at a time and to avoid ingestion if he had high blood pressure.

In another case, a Texas man sued Redline after experiencing “excessive heart rate, intense chest pain, loss of sensation in his hands, and extreme nausea” within 10 hours of ingesting the energy drink. He had to be hospitalized until his heart rate could be stabilized.

Redline Energy Drink Side Effects

According to a class-action lawsuit filed in Federal Court, Redline energy drinks can induce vomiting, chest pain, arrhythmia, convulsions, and “potentially death.”

Reportedly, Vital Pharmaceuticals’ Redline “energy boosters” and “fat burners” have caused some people to go to the hospital. It contains some problematic ingredients that are as follows:

Evodiamine

Evodiamine (EVO) is a major alkaloid compound derived from the unripened dry fruit Evodiae Fructus (Evodia rutaecarpa Benth., Rutaceae).

EVO has a number of pharmacological properties, including anti-obesity and neuroprotective properties. But in vitro and in vivo investigations show that evodiamine can produce cardiovascular adverse effects such as decreased circulation and pericardial malformations, and that oxidative stress plays a role in this evodiamine-induced cardiotoxicity.

Tyrosine

Tyrosine is safe to use as a medication for a short period of time.

It appears to be safe when given at dosages of up to 150 mg/kg per day for up to three months. Most patients report nausea, headaches, lethargy, and heartburn as a result of the drug.

Yohimbe

Yohimbe is an alkaloid sourced from the bark of an African tree.

It’s dispensed as a prescription drug for blood flow problems like erectile dysfunction and is promoted to help in weight loss and workouts.

However, it’s also linked to significant adverse effects such as irregular heartbeat, heart attack, and others. It is safe to use for a limited period of time under the supervision of a healthcare expert.

How Many Redlines Should I Drink?

Do not go beyond one bottle of Redline per day.

While Redline is calorie and sugar-free, which would normally make it suitable for many lifestyles and dietary restrictions, the caffeine content is just too strong.

This also means that Redline (like all energy drinks) is not recommended for those under 18 as well as pregnant and lactating women.

Caffeine can deter the development and growth of children and fetuses, which is why even if there’s technically a 100mg limit for children, I wouldn’t recommend that they be exposed to caffeine at such a young age.

Energy Drink Alternatives to Redline

If Redline is not the right fit for you, here are some top-notch brands!

Other notable mentions

Conclusion

In my opinion, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Redline has too much caffeine and several problematic ingredients that can be unsafe for you.

In general, I’d recommend Redline for those who do heavy workouts regularly, since they can burn off the caffeine much more easily. However, it’s not good to get used to taking Redline since it can increase your caffeine tolerance and lead to nasty withdrawals.

If you do want to try Redline, make sure you try half a serving first then wait for 30 minutes to see how it affects you. If you experience any serious symptoms, consult a medical professional immediately.

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