There are thousands of energy drinks out there and each one of them has something a bit different. However, as distinct as they look, most of them aren’t as different as you would think.
Energy drinks are consumed in an immoderate amount by every age, EFSA published a report which a study that gathered data on the consumption of energy drinks.
The report summarized that adults were more addicted to the overconsumption of energy drinks than adolescents and children. All three age groups were found to consume an immoderate amount of energy drinks while they performed any sports activity.
Monster and Rockstar are the two energy drinks that we’ll talk about in this article, so let’s dive in!
While both, Rockstar and Monster use the same ingredients, the values of those ingredients are different.
Monster energy drink per 8 ounces (240 g) can contain 86 mg of caffeine, while Rockstar has 80 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces can, which doesn’t seem much of a difference. However, the sugar content in Monster (8 ounces) and Rockstar (8 ounces) is 27 g and 31 g respectively.
Fun Fact: Monster is publicly traded and has had a strategic partnership with Coca-Cola since 2014, while Rockstar was sold to PepsiCo in the year 2020.
Keep reading!
Contents
What Is Monster Drink?
Monster Energy drink is the creation of Monster Beverage Corporation. You can predict its popularity by knowing that the brand had 35% of the market share which is the second highest share after Red Bull.
As of July 2019, there were about 34 varieties of drinks under the Monster brand which included:
- The Core Monster Energy line
- Java Monster
- Juice
- Hydro
- Strength
- Dragon Tea
- Muscle
- Rehab
The content of caffeine in Monster drinks is about 160 mg for 16 ounces of a can. Other than that, there’re many more ingredients that include:
- Carbonated Water.
- Sucrose.
- Glucose
- Citric Acid.
- Natural Flavors.
- Taurine.
- Sodium Citrate.
- Color Added.
- Panax Ginseng Root Extract
- L-carnitine.
- L-tartrate.
- Sorbic Acid.
- Benzoic Acid.
- Niacinamide.
- Sodium Chloride.
- Glycine Maxglucuronolactone.
- Inositol.
- Guarana Seed Extract.
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride.
- Sucralose.
- Riboflavin.
- Maltodextrin.
- Cyanocobalamin.
On every Monster Energy drink, you can find a warning label that advises consumers to drink only about 48 oz or less daily. The label also states that it’s not recommended for pregnant women or caffeine-sensitive people.
Side Effects
The monster drink has been linked with health complications, like intoxication when ingested with alcohol. Moreover, repeated immoderate consumption can lead to cardiac or psychiatric issues.
Although EFSA has come to the conclusion that consumption of caffeine up to 400 mg daily doesn’t raise any health issues for adults, anything more than that can be fatal.
Even the smallest quantity of caffeine can show its side effects on children. For example, a woman from California sued Monster Beverage Corp. She claimed her son’s habit of consuming two Monster drinks of 16 oz. daily caused him to die from cardiac arrest.
What Is Rockstar Drink?
Rockstar is a US-based energy drink brand that was launched in 2001, and in 2020 it was sold to PepsiCo. As of 2013, Rockstar drink was available in 20 different flavors in more than 30 countries.
In the United States, Rockstar products have two levels of caffeine amount: either 10 mg or 15 mg per ounce.
Thus, the Rockstar Energy Drink Original has 160 mg of caffeine content per 16 ounces of a can, however, the Rockstar Punched Energy drink has 240 mg of caffeine content per 16 ounces of a can.
Besides caffeine, the Rockstar drink includes:
- Ginkgo Biloba.
- Milk Thistle Extract.
- Guarana Seed.
- Taurine.
- Carbonated Water.
- Sugar (Sucrose).
- Acid (Citric Acid).
- Flavour Enhancer (Erythritol).
- Acidity Regulator (Sodium Citrate).
- Flavoring.
- Sweeteners (Sucralose, Acesulfame K).
- Glucuronolactone.
- Colors (Caramel E150c, Riboflavin E101).
- Ginseng Extract.
- Inositol.
- Vitamins (Niacin, B6, B12).
Side Effects
Rockstar drink can make you jitter and cause anxiety, as it contains sugar. It can cause high blood sugar levels as well.
Moreover, if Rockstar is consumed with alcohol, the caffeine in it has the potential to mask alcohol’s depressant results, causing more chances of self-harm.
The Rockstar Original was labeled as the Worst Energy Drink by a magazine called Men’s Health as it had 67.5 grams of sugar.
In response to that, Rockstar launched a low-calorie drinks line with electrolytes called Rockstar Recovery.
Moreover, a study examined the risks of consuming energy drinks just like Rockstar. In the research, they concluded that there’re several potential side effects of energy drinks including:
- Tingling or numbness of the skin.
- Insomnia.
- Headaches.
- Agitation.
- Restlessness.
- Dizziness or instability.
- Heart palpitations (tachycardia).
- Shaking or tremors.
- Gastrointestinal upset.
- Respiratory distress.
However, in severe cases, drinks like Rockstar have been found to be the cause of:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Liver failure (acute hepatitis)
Furthermore, in 2013, a man consumed the Rockstar drink that allegedly caused him shortness of breath, in addition, he suffered from chest pains as well. As he drank about four Rockstar cans in a period of 6 to 8 hours, his symptoms got much worse.
Thus he went to the doctor after 3 days, the doctors told him that he is having a heart attack. However, he was taken to the emergency and after 2 years, he filed a lawsuit against the Rockstar energy drink.
Is Monster Better than Rockstar?
In my opinion, Monster is better than Rockstar, as in the table below you can see that Rockstar has higher sugar levels compared to Monster. Rockstar has also been labeled as the Worst Energy Drink due to the number of calories it contains.
| Rockstar | Monster |
| 80 mg caffeine per 8-oz can | 80 mg caffeine per 8-oz can |
| Slightly higher sugar levels | Slightly lower sugar levels |
| Less popular, 10% market share | More popular, 39% market share |
The side effects of consuming Rockstar are much worse compared to the side effects of Monster, thus Monster is better than Rockstar.
Whether it’s Monster or Rockstar, energy drinks aren’t entirely good for you, watch this video to learn if energy drinks are safe or not.
Is Rockstar Bad For You?
Any energy drink having high levels of caffeine and sugar is bad. From that perspective, Rockstar is a non-fruit-based energy drink having more caffeine and sugar than fruit-based energy drinks, making its overconsumption even more harmful.
While many people think that it’s caffeine in Rockstar which causes health issues, let me tell you, it’s only a part of the problem.
Here is a list of ingredients that may have the worst side effects if combined, moreover these ingredients can be found in not only one but all the energy drinks:
- Taurine.
- Guarana.
- Sugar or sugar substitutes.
- High amounts of B vitamins.
- Caffeine.
Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid that regulates minerals and water in the blood. While it supports neurological development, too much taurine can cause low blood pressure.
Guarana
Guarana is derived from a plant in South America, and it contains a larger amount of caffeine than the actual source of coffee beans. However, it isn’t as similar to caffeine because it has theobromine and theophylline, which are quite powerful substances.
While many people may have a different reaction to Guarana, some people may experience increased blood pressure, headaches, and dehydration.
Sugar And Sugar Substitutes
Most people comprehend the dangerous side effects of sugar, however, these side effects have the potential to be more troubling when combined with any other ingredients in Energy drinks.
Artificial sweeteners can be a danger to your health as well because they can cause you to develop diabetes, cancer, and metabolic syndrome.
High Amounts Of B Vitamins
As you must know, too much of anything is bad, which means high amounts of B vitamins can be bad. It can cause nerve damage, gastrointestinal problems, blurred vision, skin conditions, and even depression.
One can of Rockstar provides you 200% of B12 and B6 as well as Niacin, which is also known as Vitamin B3.
Caffeine
An overdose of caffeine is quite possible and that can cause death. As Rockstar and Monster have more than a fair amount of caffeine, it’s important to keep track of your energy drink consumption.
Alternatives to Rockstar and Monster
While every energy drink may be the same, there’re alternatives. However, are you looking for similar tastes or ingredients? Either way, you’ll enjoy these listed alternatives:
Conclusion
- Monster and Rockstar are famous energy drink brands that have almost similar nutritional content.
- Monster is better than Rockstar, as Rockstar has higher sugar levels compared to Monster.
- Rockstar is a non-fruit-based energy drink having more caffeine and sugar than fruit-based energy drinks, making its overconsumption even more harmful.
- Rockstar and Monster have more than a fair amount of caffeine, it’s important to keep track of their consumption.