There’s something exhilarating about cracking open a can of NOS energy drink and anticipating the rush of energy that’s about to course through my veins.
Yup, you’ve guessed it — I’m a huge fan of NOS energy drinks. However, recently I’ve begun thinking about the health effect of these energy drinks, especially their caffeine content.
I checked the caffeine content and ingredients of NOS energy drinks and read what the research says about the recommended daily caffeine intake.
Here’s exactly how much caffeine NOS drinks have, so you can enjoy your favorite caffeinated beverages knowing exactly what you’re consuming.
How Much Caffeine Do NOS Energy Drinks Have? (Levels Examined)
How much caffeine NOS energy drinks have depends on the beverage size you choose.
I did the work for you and checked the specific levels of caffeine in different NOS drink sizes. Here's what I found out.
Caffeine in 16 oz NOS
A 16 oz can of NOS energy drink has 160 mg of caffeine.[1] This amount can vary slightly depending on the specific flavor you go for.
Note: 160 mg of caffeine is considered a lot. This is more than many other energy drinks or sodas available on the market (for example, a 16 oz can of Pepsi only has 53 mg of caffeine, and a can of Coca-Cola has an even lower caffeine amount— 32 mg to 42 mg, depending on the flavor).
So what does the science say? I'm glad you asked. According to the FDA, the recommended caffeine amount for healthy adults is 400 mg a day.[2]
This means two cans of 16 oz NOS energy drink put you close to the daily caffeine limit.
Keep in mind, NOS and other beverages high in caffeine aren’t considered safe for kids and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Caffeine in 24 oz NOS
A 24 oz can of NOS Energy Drink has 240 mg of caffeine. Recommended daily caffeine intake is 400 mg, so one 24 oz can of NOS Energy Drink puts you at over half of this dose.
Two cans would put you well above the recommended 400 mg. For example, a cup of coffee has between 80 mg to 100 mg of caffeine.[3]
This means one NOS energy drink plus one to two cups of coffee would put you close to or over the daily caffeine intake limit.
This can be an issue because you risk caffeine jitters if you go over 400 mg of caffeine. I definitely do!
NOS Energy Drink Flavors & Their Caffeine Content
Apart from the original version, NOS Energy Drinks come in a few different flavors: Grape and Sonic Sour. The caffeine levels change with the flavor inside the can.
Here’s the caffeine content based on the NOS energy drink variant:
Flavor | Serving Size (fl oz) | Caffeine (mg) | Caffeine Strength | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Original | 16 fl oz | 160 | High | 210 |
Grape | 16 fl oz | 160 | High | 210 |
Sonic Sour | 16 fl oz | 200 | Very high | 210 |
Breakdown Of The NOS Energy Drink Range
Honesty check: I don't really drink NOS beverages because they are healthy. I drink it for its delicious flavor and the energy boost it gives us to power through the day.
I talked about the caffeine levels, but what about nutrition? For example, if you’re minding your sugar intake, you want to know how much sugar these drinks have.
No worries, I’ve got the answers. Here’s exactly what each NOS energy drink contains, as well as the nutrition info.
NOS Original
These are the nutrition facts for the NOS Original flavor energy drink:
Let's break this down: NOS Energy Drink has a relatively high-calorie content. More calories mean a higher energy boost, but it's not ideal if you're trying to lose weight.
NOS energy drink also has a high sodium amount. Recommended daily sodium intake is 2,300 for healthy adults, which is equal to a tablespoon of salt.[4]
For example, if you drink several cans of NOS, you'll have to be mindful of other foods you consume during the day to keep track of your sodium intake.
NOS energy drink also has a lot of sugar — 54 g. It gives you an energy boost but can also cause dental issues, weight gain, and blood sugar fluctuations.[5]
On the positive side, the NOS original drink is fat-free and cholesterol-free, which is good for heart health and maintaining a balanced diet.[6]
Moreover, there’s a high amount of Vitamins B12 and B6. They are important for nervous system function and red blood cell production.[7]
These are the ingredients for NOS Original energy drink:
The ingredients give the energy drink flavor. However, some are problematic, such as fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners. These can cause obesity and metabolic issues.[8]
NOS Grape
These are the nutrition facts for NOS Grape energy drinks:
These are the ingredients for NOS Grape energy drinks:
As you can see, the nutrition facts are identical to the NOS original energy drink. The ingredients are slightly different, as this drink is grape-flavored.
NOS Sonic Sour
These are the nutrition facts for NOS Sonic Sour energy drinks:
The main difference between Original, Grape, and Sonic Sour high-performance drinks is that Sonic Sour has less sodium and slightly less sugar, which makes Sonic Sour healthier in terms of nutrition.
These are the ingredients for NOS Sonic sour energy drinks:
The ingredients are similar to the previous two high-performance drinks. The main difference is in artificial and other natural flavors.
NOS High-Performance Energy Drink Vs Other Popular Brands
Here’s how the NOS energy beverage compares to other caffeinated beverages.
NOS Energy Drink Vs Red Bull
Did you know NOS energy drinks are owned by Monster Energy? Interestingly, Monster Energy and Red Bull are bitter rivals (as all F1 fans will know). So, how do these rival drinks compare?
A 250 ml can of Red Bull has only 80 mg of caffeine.[9] This is significantly less compared to the 160 mg that the NOS energy drink has.
If you’re a caffeine-sensitive person or are looking to lower your caffeine intake, Red Bull is the better choice.
NOS Energy Drink Vs Monster
The popular green Monster drink has 160 mg of caffeine per 16 oz can, which is on par with the serving size caffeine in a NOS energy drink.[10]
This makes sense, as the same company owns both the Monster and the NOS brand.
There are many Monster drink versions. Most of the Monster drink variations have caffeine levels of around 160 mg. However, there are some differences.
For example, Monster Dragon tea has the lowest caffeine level at only 60 mg.
On the other hand, Java Monster 300 has a whooping 300 mg of caffeine, so this is a high-performance drink to get if you want to stay up all night.[11]
NOS Vs Bang Energy Drink
Bang 16 oz high-performance energy drink has 300 mg of caffeine.[12]
There are several variations of Bang drinks, and almost all have 300 mg of caffeine, which is significantly more than the NOS energy drink.
NOS Energy Drink Commonly Asked Questions
How much NOS Energy Drink is safe to consume?
It’s safe to consume one to two NOS energy drinks a day. This amount won’t put you over the recommended daily caffeine limit.
Was NOS Turbo discontinued?
No, NOS Turbo wasn’t discontinued. It’s marketed in Canada. You can’t find the drink on the official US website of the NOS brand, but it’s available in some US stores. The drink has 300 mg of caffeine per can.
How much caffeine is too much?
Over 400 mg of caffeine a day is too much. This is the recommended daily intake by the FDA.
What are the bad effects of NOS?
The bad effects of NOS are similar to any other energy drink. These include increased heart rate and blood pressure, jitters, restlessness, insomnia, dehydration, gastrointestinal issues, and even dependency.
Is coffee better than a NOS energy drink?
Yes, coffee is better than a NOS energy drink. You can control the amount of caffeine in coffee. Plus, if you opt for plain coffee, it doesn’t have any sugar, artificial flavors, or other ingredients.
Does NOS help you focus?
Yes, NOS helps you focus. This is a high-performance drink that has caffeine and other stimulating ingredients that affect the central nervous system. NOS energy drink can make you feel more awake, alert, and focused.
Conclusion
Congrats! You’re now an expert on caffeine in all high-performance NOS energy drinks, and you know how it compares to other popular energy drinks.
Now that you’re armed with all this knowledge, you can make smart choices about enjoying your favorite soda and keeping your caffeine intake in check.
NOS drinks have a high amount of caffeine, so now you can practice moderation and also educate your friends on their favorite soda.
Cheers to enjoying our favorite drinks responsibly!
References:
1. https://www.drinknos.com/en-us/products/original/
2. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-to
3. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1104137/nutrients
4. https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-education-resources-materials/sodium-your-diet
5. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates/carbohydrates-and-blood-sugar/
6. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16867-cholesterol--nutrition-tlc
7. https://www.everlywell.com/blog/vitamins-supplements/difference-between-vitamin
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3522469/
9. https://www.redbull.com/int-en/energydrink/red-bull-energy-drink-ingredients-list
10. https://www.monsterenergy.com/en-us/energy-drinks/monster-energy/original-green/
11. https://www.monsterenergy.com/en-us/energy-drinks/java-monster/300-mocha/
12. https://bangenergy.com/collections/drinks/products/bang-energy-drink-blue-razz
