Need an energy boost? Whether you're up all night with a newborn, juggling night shifts, or simply moving through the day after a rough night of sleep, sometimes we need a dose of caffeine for a pick-me-up.
While some reach for coffee, there are also a plethora of energy drinks on the market today. Some brands are well-known like Red Bull and 5 Hour Energy, but did you know that other energy drinks offer even higher amounts of caffeine?
Each drink evaluated below comes in a 12 to 16-ounce can. None of these are pre-packaged pre-workout supplements or in shot form. Each one is ready to drink and can be found at your local grocery or convenience store.
Ready to see which energy drinks have the most caffeine? Let's dive in.
1. Hyde XTreme
Known as a pre-workout supplement, Hyde XTreme's ready-to-drink 12 oz. bottles contain 400 mg of caffeine. Each bottle also contains 6,000 mg of citrulline, 3,200 mg of beta-alanine, and Yohimbe. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Yohimbe is found in evergreen trees in western and central Africa. It's important to note that while this supplement is used to promote athletic supplements, there isn't enough research to indicate how beneficial it can be. In fact, NIH reports that this supplement can be associated with heart attacks and seizures.
2. Spike Hardcore Energy
With 350 mg of caffeine in every 16 oz. can, Spike Hardcore Energy is known as a “high-performance energy” drink. While high in caffeine, the drink doesn't contain any sugar or carbohydrates. The drink also has beta-alanine (similar to Hyde XTreme) and high amounts of L-tyrosine. Both of these supplements are thought to improve mental focus and reduce fatigue. Additionally, each can of Spike Hardcore has only 10-15 calories, yet 1000 mcg of Vitamin B12. According to the label, this amount of Vitamin B12 is 41,670% of an adult's daily value.
3. Wired X-344 Energy Drink
Wired X-344 gets its name from the 344 mg of caffeine in every 16 oz. can. If you're looking for high amounts of B12, the Wired X-344 Berry Rush flavor has a whopping 7,490% RDI. This flavor is made to replicate the company's X-B12 Rush, which has high levels of Vitamin B12, but lower levels of caffeine. Additionally, the X-344 energy drinks are known for their high levels of Vitamin B6, Inositol, and Taurine. According to WebMD, inositol is a supplement that can help to reduce depression and improve mental well-being. Taurine is also a supplement that's found in healthy meats and it's an amino acid that's made naturally in our bodies.
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4. Breinfuel
Breinfuel is marketed as less of an energy drink and more of a supplement to support your overall well-being. The drink is promoted as an all-natural supplement but keep in mind that it still contains 300 mg of caffeine in every 12 oz. bottle. The caffeine, however, comes from green coffee beans and green tea extract. Additionally, each drink also comes with healthy vitamins and minerals such as collagen, creatine, beetroot, vitamins C and E, zinc, and probiotics. These drinks also come in different flavors including peach mango, fruit punch, mixed berry, and citrus.
5. Bang
Also coming in at 300 mg of caffeine are 16 oz cans of Bang energy drinks. While these drinks are also sugar-free and have no calories, they do contain artificial flavoring and lower amounts of vitamins and minerals compared to other drinks on this list. However, each can come with small amounts of vitamin C, and vitamins B6 and B12. There are also numerous and unique flavors to choose from including black cherry vanilla, radical skadattle, and rainbow unicorn. The Bang brand also offers a “natural” line of drinks that contain only 250 mg of caffeine as well.
6. Rockstar Xdurance
While Rockstar energy drinks have several different product options on the market today, their 16 oz. Xdurance drinks contain the most caffeine at 300 mg. These drinks have also been discontinued through some vendors, so they may be difficult to find. If you choose to consume one of these beverages, though, you can expect zero sugars while still receiving 100% of your daily value of vitamins C, B6, and B12. These beverages also contain guarana, which is another energy supplement that has mixed reviews as to whether it's healthy or not.
7. Bucked Up
Founded in 2016 by two brothers, Bucked Up is more well-known for its pre-workout supplement. However, the company also offers a variety of energy drinks that contain 300 mg of caffeine in each 16 oz can. These drinks also come with vitamins and minerals like beta-alanine, taurine, acetyl l-tyrosine, dynamine, and “TeaCrine,” among other things. While some of these ingredients are also found in other energy drinks, “TeaCrine” is also known as theacrine, and is unique to Bucked Up. According to WebMD, this chemical is similar to caffeine and helps to increase the speed of the central nervous system.
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8. C4 Ultimate Energy
C4 is another brand of energy drinks that originate from pre-workout supplements. While not all of the brand's options are highly caffeinated, the C4 Ultimate Energy carbonated drink is a 16 oz. can that packs a punch, containing 300 mg of caffeine. Each can is also composed of a special blend of vitamins and minerals that have been clinically proven to support brain function. And, should you choose to consume C4 ultimate energy drinks, you'll also receive potassium, niacine, and vitamin B12.
Can You Consume Too Much Caffeine?
When it comes to caffeine, one rule applies: Everything in moderation. The FDA reports that many people can consume marginal amounts of caffeine with little to no issues. In fact, the National Institutes of Health report that moderate coffee consumption can lead to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and even reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
So what does a “moderate amount” of caffeine look like? In general, the FDA reports that 400 milligrams a day of caffeine is associated with negative side effects. This is equivalent to about 4-5 cups of coffee. As you review the caffeine contents of the drinks discussed above, you can see that drinking more than one energy drink a day can link to health concerns. Most of the drinks listed above come with their own health warning, too.
Health Concerns of Excessive Caffeine
Consuming too much caffeine can definitely pose side effects to your health. While some may not be bothered by energy drinks and high amounts of caffeine, consuming more than the FDA-recommended amount can cause:
- Increased heart rate
- Insomnia or struggling to fall and stay asleep
- Headaches
- Nausea or other stomach-related issues
- Higher amounts of anxiousness
Additionally, high amounts of caffeine have also been linked to more serious health concerns including:
- Seizures
- Heart-related issues like heart attacks
In general, higher amounts of caffeine lead to higher health risks. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider if you're concerned about caffeine and its risks to your health.
Final Thoughts
While these energy drinks contain high amounts of caffeine, how much you choose to consume is up to you and your own dietary needs. Be advised that consuming extreme amounts of caffeine can pose unhealthy side effects. Consuming more than one of any of these drinks a day can cause heart-related issues, seizures, and insomnia. However, consuming moderate amounts can be part of a healthy diet. Additionally, many of the drinks discussed here contain healthy vitamins and minerals and can be used as a pre-workout supplement or energy boost. Be sure to choose your energy drink carefully and keep your caffeine consumption within moderation.
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