Relentless Energy originated in Ireland, United Kingdom. This makes it one of the most popular choices for energy drink enthusiasts in the country.
The question, though, is, is Relentless Energy Drink bad for you? Can it harm your health? Does it come with serious risks?
These are essential to know so you can avoid potential health issues. This is most especially if you’d like to consider drinking Relentless regularly.
To help you answer the said questions, we’ll dig deeper into Relentless, its details, and associated risks in this article.
If you’re expecting a short answer: Relentless Energy Drink won’t be bad for you if you drink it sensibly. Overconsumption, however, will lead to several health risks and issues.
If you drink more than one can, it might cause negative effects on your health.
If you want to know more about how I came up with this answer, read on to the following sections.
Contents
Ingredients Of Relentless Energy
Relentless is mainly composed of Taurine, caffeine, Guarana extracts, B vitamins, sugar, and sweeteners.
Here is a full list of the drink’s ingredients:
- Carbonated Water
- Sucrose
- Citric Acid
- Erythritol (Flavour Enhancer)
- Taurine (0.4%)
- Sodium Citrate (Acidity Regulator)
- Potassium Sorbate (Preservative)
- Sodium Benzoate (Preservative)
- Colour (Caramel E150D)
- Caffeine (0.03%)
- Flavourings
- Sucralose (Sweetener)
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin B5
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B12
- Guarana Seed Extract (0.005%)
Note that the said ingredients are exclusively based on the Origin version of Relentless. Hence, this may still vary depending on the flavour.
As you can see, the drink contains preservatives, both sugar and artificial sweeteners, 4 out of 8 B vitamins, and Guarana seed extracts.
Nutritional Information Of Relentless Energy Drink
For this section, we’re going to focus on the nutritional information of a 500ml can of Relentless Energy Drink.
Below is the original label from the drink and a table for reference:
| Nutrient | Amount per 500ml Serving |
| Energy | 108kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 31g |
| Sugar | 24g |
| Salt | 0.70g |
| Niacin (Vitamin B3) | 16mg |
| Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) | 8.5mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.5mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.0ug |
| Caffeine | 160mg |
For an overview, Relentless has 108 calories, 24g of sugar, 160mg of caffeine, 0.70g of salt, and varying amounts of B vitamins.
The brand also states that its fats (both total and saturated) and protein are in negligible amounts. This means that the said nutrients’ amounts are close to none.
You can check my other article if you want a more in-depth look at Relentless Energy’s nutrition facts. This has a full analysis of what you can expect from the drink.
How Much Caffeine Is In Relentless?
Relentless Energy has 32mg of caffeine per 100ml. Hence, a 500ml can has 160mg of caffeine.
The drink doesn’t explicitly state the caffeine content on the label. It just states that it contains 32mg per 100ml below the nutrition facts.
This can be an issue if the consumer does not understand the contents properly.
Since a can of Relentless comes in 500ml, expect that the total caffeine content amounts to 160mg of caffeine.
This is an adequate amount to give you an energy boost for the whole day.
Since EFSA’s recommended daily limit for healthy adults is 400mg, you can rest assured that the one serving of the drink won’t bring nasty side effects.
Two cans, though, can already be concerning since they can easily push you off the limit.
How Much Sugar Is In Relentless?
A 500ml serving of Relentless Energy comes with 24g of sugar.
England’s National Health Services advises that adults shouldn’t have more than 30g of added sugar per day.
People who are sensitive to sugar may experience:
- Sugar Crash/High
- High Blood Pressure
- Sleeping Issues
- Mood Disorders
- Tooth Decay
Moreover, regular consumption despite these side effects can lead to increased risks of several chronic diseases.
Along with sucrose or regular table sugar, the drink also used Sucralose. This is a common artificial sweetener that is a lot sweeter than sugar. A lot of studies claim that this is harmless.
Still, if you either have too much of this, you may experience:
- Bloating
- Rash
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Itching
People that are allergic to Sucralose may also go through the said issues.
How Many Calories Are In Relentless Energy?
A 500ml can of Relentless Energy Drink has 108 calories.
EFSA’s required daily energy intake comes up to around 2,000 to 2,600 calories.
Considering this, Relentless Energy’s calorie count won’t have a significant effect on your diet. It’s safe to say that this also won’t affect your weight.
Calorie-wise, I don’t think you have anything to worry about by drinking Relentless.
Side Effects Of Drinking Relentless Energy Drink
Relentless Energy’s side effects will mostly revolve around caffeine-related issues.
Generally, healthy adults wouldn’t have a problem absorbing 160mg of caffeine.
People with caffeine sensitivity, however, may already have issues with this.
Here are some side effects that you should be aware of:
- Restlessness
- High Blood Pressure
- Heart Palpitations
- Insomnia
- Dehydration
Moreover, overconsumption of the drink can further lead to caffeine overdose and/or addiction.
Does Relentless Energy Drink Have Preservatives?
Relentless Energy has Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate as preservatives.
The role of preservatives in energy drinks is to lengthen the life of its flavour. Along with this pro, however, also comes a number of cons.
For instance, Potassium Sorbate is a commonly used preservative. Countries like Europe, Canada, Argentina, and Brazil prohibit its use in foods.
This is, however, permitted in energy drinks. Its main goal is to prevent the formation of mould and yeast.
Generally, it’s safe to have Potassium Sorbate as long as it’s in small amounts. The issue is the drink doesn’t specify the exact amount of preservatives in the drink.
There are no existing issues about Relentless Energy and the risks of Potassium Sorbate.
Thus, the only thing that you need to be mindful of is if you have a possible allergy to the said preservative.
Sodium Benzoate is the other preservative used in Relentless. This is also widely used in food and drinks. This requires additional attention when it comes to intake.
Overconsumption of the drink can lead to overconsumption of the preservative.
This can cause:
- Oxidative Stress
- Hyperventilation
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Agitation
Since the specific amount of Sodium Benzoate used isn’t indicated, make sure that you stick to only one can of Relentless.
Does Relentless Have Sodium?
A 500ml can of Relentless has 0.70g of sodium or salt.
EFSA set the daily sodium intake to 2g for healthy adults. Because the drink’s sodium content doesn’t even cover half of the limit, then you won’t have to worry about one serving.
Two cans, however, may already put you at risk. This is because you’re most likely taking other sodium-infused food and drinks.
Doing this can lead to:
- High Blood Pressure
- Calcium Loss
- Increased Risk of Heart Diseases
- Stroke
- Fatigue
To avoid this, make sure to monitor your sodium intake. If you’re already experiencing symptoms of high sodium levels, you should focus on hydrating your body with water. This will balance your body’s sodium.
What Bad Ingredients Are In Relentless Energy?
So far, there are no bad ingredients in Relentless Energy Drink.
I didn’t find bad or controversial ingredients in Relentless Energy Drink. You may, however, be wondering about uncommon names in the ingredients list.
Here is an analysis of the two most unfamiliar ingredients:
Erythritol
Erythritol, is a flavour enhancer.
It has zero calories and is approved by both WHO and FDA. Hence, this is nothing alarming.
Sodium Citrate
Sodium Citrate, is an acidity regulator. This also acts as a preservative.
What makes this different is it lessens the acid in the drink. This prevents the occurrence of kidney stones and gout caused by too much acid and sodium.
Like Erythritol, this is nothing to worry about as long as taken in safe amounts.
Note that because we have already discussed the preservatives present in the drink, I didn’t include them in the list above.
In my opinion, Relentless’ ingredients only become “bad” if you take too much of them.
This is the reason why keeping a moderate intake of one can a day is important.
Who Can’t Drink Relentless Energy?
As per the drink’s label, this isn’t recommended for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people with caffeine sensitivity.
Because of the drink’s caffeine content, it’s best to avoid the drink if you’re in one of the categories above.
Furthermore, you should avoid this if:
- You have allergic reactions towards any of the drink’s ingredients
- You’re highly sensitive to sugar
- You have heart issues
If you can, it’s best to consult a health professional before drinking Relentless Energy.
Can You Drink Relentless Energy Every Day?
You can drink Relentless Energy every day if it’s necessary.
If you really need a daily energy boost, then you can feel free to drink one can of Relentless Energy every day.
However, if it isn’t really necessary, then I recommend drinking one can every other day instead. Better yet, drink Relentless only if you need to.
For those that are just starting out in energy drinks, I suggest drinking half a serving first. This will help you know how your body reacts to the drink.
Here’s a video that you can watch to know more about what may happen if you drink energy drinks every day:
Is Relentless energy good?
Assuming you are in good health, Relentless might be useful as an energy booster anytime you need a pick-me-up after a long day.
Adding Relentless to your diet is not recommended if you are currently experiencing any health problems. In fact, before purchasing a can to try, it’s generally best to check with a doctor.
However, excessive use of Relentless, like any other food or drink, may lead to serious health problems. The high levels of coffee and sugar in your system are mostly to blame.
Are energy drinks worse than coffee?
Caffeinated beverages like coffee and energy drinks are widely available, and although they vary greatly in nutritional value, they both contain about the same amount of caffeine. If you need to ingest caffeine on a regular basis, coffee may be a healthier option due to its antioxidants and low-calorie content. The extra sugar in energy drinks means they should only be consumed on rare occasions.
Coffee is preferable to energy drinks, which don’t have any major drawbacks but do have some. 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 high wears off.
Can energy drink give you diabetes?
High coffee consumption reduces insulin sensitivity, whereas the use of EDs increases the chance of developing arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
The insulin response may also be slowed by coffee. Because of this, your insulin may take longer to start working. Caffeine use has been linked to increased insulin resistance. It may also cause blood sugar levels to rise, which can exacerbate diabetes’s already serious problems.”
Relentless Energy Drink Flavours
Relentless Energy Drink has seven refreshing flavours.
Here’s a list of the drink’s available flavours:
- Origin
- Zero
- Mango
- Lemon Ice
- Cherry
- Passion Punch
- Apple Kiwi
I usually go for Apple Kiwi if I want a tasty and refreshing drink. Relentless Zero is also a good choice because of its sugar-free content.
Where To Buy Relentless Energy
Relentless Energy Drink is available in convenience stores, as well as on some online shopping sites.
If you live around the UK, then you can easily find Relentless in grocery stores, convenience stores, and likes.
You can also order from these online sites:
You can also check out Amazon and eBay’s UK sites for more options. These guarantee international shipping.
How Much Is Relentless Energy Drink?
One can of Relentless Energy Drink comes up from around £1 to £2. A 12-pack, on the other hand, ranges from £8 to £9.
The price of Relentless Energy will depend on where you’ll buy it. The total costs may further vary on what flavour you’ll buy, and your shipping address.
Alternatives to Relentless Energy Drink
Here are some alternatives that you should check out in place of Relentless:
I recommend checking out an energy drink’s general offers before deciding to buy one. In this way, you can get the best value for your health and money.
Conclusion: Is Relentless Energy Drink Bad For You?
In summary, Relentless Energy will not be bad for you if you stick to one can for your daily intake.
Since energy drinks aren’t necessarily healthy, what you can do is to pick a brand that won’t put your health at risk. To ensure this, make sure to control your consumption.
This rule of thumb is also the same for Relentless.
One serving won’t be harmful. Two servings, however, can already cause complications because of the combined effects of caffeine and sugar. You also have to keep the preservatives in check.