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Monster Energy Drink Nutrition Facts (Detailed)

Here’s an energy drink that needs no further introduction. Monster Energy Drink, together with its competitor Red Bull, dominate the energy drink market from all around the world.

But, do you actually know the nutritional values of Monster Energy?

The Short Answer: A 16 fl.oz can of Monster Energy contains 160mg of caffeine, 54g of sugar and 210 calories, which are large numbers of ingredients, so be careful if you do get a can of Monster.

That said, let’s dive into a more detailed analysis where I break down, not only its nutrition facts but also ingredients.

Monster Energy Drink Nutritional Facts

Here are the nutrition facts of a 16 fl.oz can of Monster Energy in the table below:

Typical ValuesMonster Energy
(16 fl.oz)
Energy210 calories
Fat
(Of which Saturated)
0g
(0g)
Carbohydrates
(Of which Sugars)
54g
(54g)
Caffeine160mg
Protein0g
Sodium370mg
Vitamin B2
(Riboflavin)
3.6mg
Vitamin B3
(Niacin)
46mg
Vitamin B64.6mg
Vitamin B1213µg
Monster Energy nutritional values
Nutrition facts of Monster Energy
Nutrition facts of Monster Energy

Monster Energy Calorie Content

In a 16 fl.oz can of Monster Energy drink, there are about 210 calories. 

For guidance, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that the daily recommended caloric intake for women is between 2000 to 2400 calories and 2400 to 3000 calories for men.

That said, one can of Monster takes up to 1/10th of your daily caloric intake, and this can lead to weight gain if you aren’t burning the extra 210 calories off through exercise.

Compared to Red Bull, its main competitor, Monster Energy drink has a lot more calories. Red Bull with only 112 calories seems like a better option if you’re conscious about your calorie intake.

Personally, I watch what I eat and I burn calories regularly through exercise.

But if you’re still keen on including the Monster Energy brand into your regular diet, I highly recommend going for their sugar-free option, Monster Energy Zero Ultra. Plus, it still maintains the same classic taste but with only 10 calories.

Monster Energy Ingredients

A 16 fl.oz can of Monster Energy contains the following:

  • Carbonated Water
  • Sugar
  • Glucose
  • Citric Acid
  • Natural Flavours
  • Taurine
  • Sodium Citrate
  • Color Added
  • Panax Ginseng Extract
  • L-Carnitine L-Tartrate
  • Caffeine
  • Sorbic Acid
  • Benzoic Acid
  • Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
  • Sucralose
  • Salt
  • D-Glucuronolactone
  • Inositol
  • Guarana Extract
  • Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
  • Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
  • Maltodextrin
  • Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)

How Much Caffeine Does Monster Energy Drink Contain?

A 16 fl.oz of Monster Energy drink contains 160 mg of caffeine. 

Caffeine is known as a natural stimulant found in tea, coffee, and cacao plants. It stimulates the nervous system to help you stay alert and keep you from feeling tired. With 160mg of caffeine, Monster Energy will surely give you the energy boost you need.

Depending on your caffeine intake, caffeine can benefit you by improving your mood, suppress your appetite for weight loss, and keep you alert.  

It’s also important to note that the FDA recommends healthy adults to have a maximum of 400mg of caffeine per day.

That said, the caffeine content in Monster Energy is almost half of the daily limit, and if you have a high caffeine tolerance, this energy drink is enough to power you through the day. But if you’re sensitive to caffeine, your body may not respond well to that much caffeine.

Personally, I would go for around 50mg to 100mg of caffeine per drink. 160mg might be too much for me, and whenever I consume too much caffeine, I feel a bit jittery. 

What Happens With Too Much Caffeine?

Going over the daily recommended caffeine limit may cause you to feel adverse effects such as:

  • Anxiety
  • Jitters
  • Restlessness
  • Gastrointestinal discomfort
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability 
  • Heart palpitations

But of course, your caffeine metabolism also influences how likely you’ll experience these side effects. Though a caffeine overdose is rare, you’ll have a higher chance of getting it if you aren’t used to drinking caffeinated beverages.

Thus, it’s best to be mindful of your daily caffeine intake, and you can always opt for energy drinks with lower caffeine content if you aren’t sold on Monster Energy.

grinding coffee
How do you like your coffee?

How Much Sugar Does Monster Energy Drink Contain?

Monster Energy Drink contains 54g of sugar in each 16 fl.oz can, which is quite a hefty amount for an energy drink.

For reference, the AHA recommends a daily sugar consumption of no more than 24g for women and 36g for men. Hence, a single can of Monster Energy drink goes way beyond the healthy limit.

To paint a clearer picture, two cans of Monster Energy is equivalent to two and a half tablespoons of sugar. I think that’s just too much sugar one can have in a day.

Going beyond the recommended sugar limit presents side effects, such as:

  • Acne
  • Tooth decay
  • Weight gain
  • Risk of diabetes
  • High blood pressure

To add on, the 54g of sugar in Monster Energy will surely leave you with a sugar crash once the effect wears off. You’ll feel lethargic and tired when this happens due to consuming too many carbs in a short period.

Overall, it’s best to consume Monster Energy occasionally but, I would still recommend going for an energy drink that has lesser sugar content or sugar-free ones for the sake of your health.

If you wish to know more about what happens when you consume too much sugar, check out the video below:

What kind of sugar is in Monster?

Monster mostly uses glucose as their sugar. As a point of reference, the American Heart Association suggests that men consume no more than 36 grams of sugar per day and that women consume no more than 25 grams of sugar per day.

Monster features a comparatively large quantity of caffeine and sugar compared to other energy drinks. This is because caffeine offers you an edge by fooling your body and mind into believing that it is up and ready to go, while sugar provides a ready supply of energy.

Does Monster spike blood sugar?

Sweeteners including high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, and table sugar are all found in energy beverages like Monster Energy. When consumed in large quantities, these sugars may lead to dangerous rises in blood sugar that can exacerbate a wide range of diabetes-related complications.

For people with diabetes, the maximum daily caffeine intake recommended by the FDA is 400 mg. For this reason, diabetics should avoid drinking high-sugar energy drinks like Monster.

Other Ingredients In Monster Energy

Taurine

Taurine is a natural part of our metabolic system. It’s an amino acid that produces protein and plays role functions in our heart and brain.

There’s also taurine used in different types of food like meat, fish, dairy products, and supplements. Athletes and those who exercise regularly require taurine for more protein.

However, a study shows that overconsumption of taurine mixed with caffeine may lead to cardiac arrest. But as long as you don’t go overboard and keep yourself relatively healthy, drinking a Monster should be fine.

Guarana Extracts

Guarana is a type of plant berry that grows in the Brazillian states of Amazons. Its notable benefits include containing stimulants and various antioxidants.

According to research, guarana contains caffeine which will keep you more alert by providing you with an energy boost, so it’s no surprise that Mountain Energy has it.

In fact, the mix of natural chemicals of guarana is said to be four times stronger than actual coffee beans. It’s definitely something to consider, especially if you have a low caffeine tolerance.

B-Vitamins

Monster Energy offers plenty of beneficial B-Vitamins which holds up to 200% of the daily value. Have a quick look at the table below to find out more about each vitamin.

PurposeAmount
(Per 16 fl.oz of Monster)
Tolerable
Upper
Intake
Level
Vitamin B3
(Niacin)
Helps the body release energy,
maintains healthy skin
43mg35mg
Vitamin B2
(Riboflavin)
Cell growth,
fat breakdown and energy production
5.05mgN/A
Vitamin B6Store energy from protein and carbohydrates,
forms red blood cells
5.05mg100mg
Vitamin B12Release energy from food,
forms red blood cells,
maintains a healthy nervous system
5.1µgN/A
A table on B-Vitamins in Monster Energy

If you want a more detailed description of each vitamin, you can read more about them here.

Is There Any Alcohol In Monster Energy Drink?

Generally speaking, mixing alcohol and caffeine is harmful to your health, so thankfully, Monster Energy doesn’t contain any alcohol. 

drinks sign in neon green
Drinks

You may have been aware that mixing energy drinks with alcohol has been more common among teenagers and young adults. But this combination is dangerous and will bring some serious health risks.

I strongly advise against mixing alcohol with energy drinks.

That said, alcohol mixed with caffeine can act as a depressant, making you feel more alert than usual. It may sound like a good thing, especially when you’re desperate to finish a task, but you’ll regret it once you’re drunk.

According to a study in 2016, alcohol mixed with energy drinks may be dangerous for blood pressure. And for people with elevated blood pressure, this may be lethal even.

Again, it’s NOT a good idea to mix alcohol with energy drinks, and you should always be cautious of its dangers.

Is Monster Energy Bad For You?

Provided you drink it occasionally and practice a healthy lifestyle, I think Monster Energy won’t be bad for you.

There’s no denying that Monster Energy is one of the strongest energy drink brands, which will surely increase your mental performance, especially during a lazy day.

However, as with anything we consume, too much of a good thing will eventually become bad. It becomes more evident if you aren’t controlling your consumption and lead a more sedentary lifestyle instead.

Have a quick look at the table below to see how the ingredients in Monster Energy compares to the daily maximum limit:

Monster Energy Drink
(Per 16 fl.oz)
Daily Max Limit
(Female/Male)
Calories210 calories2400 calories / 3000 calories
Sugar54g25g / 36g
Caffeine160mg400mg
Monster Energy’s nutritional value vs the daily limits

You also need to be cautious of the large amounts of sugar present in just a single can of Monster Energy. Regularly consuming this sugary energy drink will cause long term effects such as heart problems and blood vessel problems. 

Also, it’s always a good idea to consult with your health specialist first before adding a strong energy drink into your regular diet.

How Many Cans Of Monster Energy Can You Drink?

I would recommend drinking only one can of Monster Energy a day and not have more than 3 cans in a week due to its high sugar content.

The caffeine content in Monster Energy is moderate for an energy drink, and it’ll take you as much as three cans to reach the daily limit of 400mg caffeine. Though, I don’t recommend doing this as it can lead to unnecessary side effects.

The main problem I have with this drink is that it contains a whopping amount of 54g of sugar just in one can alone, that’s double the amount of what AHA recommends. Regularly consuming an excessive amount of sugar will definitely be detrimental to your health.

Hence, the safest and healthiest way to enjoy Monster Energy is to save it for mentally demanding occasions and limit yourself to only one can.

That said, you can also opt for Monster Energy flavours that have lesser sugar content, namely Monster Energy Zero Ultra or Monster Juice. I think these are way healthier options, especially if you want to include this energy drink brand into your diet.

Conclusion 

Monster Energy contains 210 calories per 16 fl.oz can, 90mg of caffeine, 54g of sugar and carbohydrates and 370mg of sodium. It also has other beneficial ingredients such as B-Vitamins that are 200% of the daily intake value and guarana extracts.

The ingredient you need to consider and be cautious of when drinking Monster Energy is its high sugar content. It’s a given that overconsumption of sugar is dangerous to your health.

Again, I suggest having this energy drink with proper dietary management though it may not be suitable for you if you have a low caffeine metabolism as 160mg of caffeine can be too strong for some.

It’s also best to go through the nutrition label first before you settle on any energy drinks to be fully aware of what you’re putting into your system.

All in all, Monster Energy, if taken in a healthy dose, is definitely one of the top energy drink brands I personally recommend. So, go ahead and unleash the beast!

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