How Much Caffeine Is In A Monster Energy Drink? (Explained!)

How Much Caffeine Is In A Monster? (Levels Compared)

Not every Monster Energy drink is made the same, and their caffeine levels will vary - you know that much.

Before we delve into how much caffeine there is in all sorts of different Monsters - let's check out the Original Monster Energy Drink and how much caffeine is in that one - based on can size.

Caffeine In 12oz Can

There is 122 mg of caffeine per 12oz can of Original Monster Energy Drink. For reference, an average cup of coffee is between 70-90, depending on the size, roast, type, etc.

122 mg is by no means too much caffeine for healthy adults, but if you’re anything like me, the flavor gets you, you get laser-focused, and before you know it - you’ve downed a few cans.

Don’t do that.

One of these is more than enough for a healthy and lovely-feeling focus and energy boost, so one or two should do the trick.

Caffeine In 16oz Can

There are 160 mg of caffeine per 16oz can of Original Monster Energy Drink.[1]

Compared to some other energy drinks and caffeinated beverages, this is a pretty strong drink.

One of these should raise your energy levels for a pretty long time, which means, unless you’re planning on pulling an all-nighter - don’t drink this one before bed.

Caffeine In 24oz Can

There is 245 mg of caffeine per one 24oz can of the Monster Energy drink. That’s on par with a lot of pre-workouts out there.

While this is still not the highest caffeine energy drink on the market (that title belongs to Bang Energy), this puppy will give you a quick energy boost lasting for hours.

245 mg of caffeine is more than half of the RDA for a healthy adult, so drinking more than a single 24oz can of Monster Energy Drinks isn't a good idea.

Trust me. I learned the hard way.

Types of Monster Energy Drinks & Their Caffeine Content

I, for one, loved to experiment and try out different Monster flavors, and in the process of trying them out, I also started collecting the cans.

So, here’s what the backs of those cans have to say about the caffeine content of various Monster Energy drinks.

What Is In A Monster Energy Drink? (Ingredients & Nutrition)

Now that we've covered how much caffeine is in Monster Energy drinks let's talk about other ingredients. Once again, we'll circle back to the OG Monster Energy drink.

Ingredients

The Monster Energy drink contains:

Now, this is just a bunch of hard-to-pronounced words for most of us, so let's try and break it down a bit.

A typical base of Monster Energy drink is simply water with some sugar and glucose for sweetness. There’s also citric acid for a tangy taste and natural flavors (artificial, too) to make it enjoyable.

Now, things like caffeine, taurine, Panax ginseng extract, L-carnitine L-tartrate, and guarana extract are the key ingredients that make energy drinks aid performance and boost energy. [2]

What's also included is a blend of B vitamins (B2, B3, B6, and B12) for extra support, but this is basically negligible.

 If you didn't know, the ingredients on the labels are listed in the order from the most abundant to the least.[3]

 In other words, all of these vitamins don't do a whole lot.

Finally, some preservatives, like sorbic and benzoic acid, are added to keep the drink fresh.

Nutrition Information

As for the nutritional information, these drinks are all but nutritious.

A typical Monster Energy drink contains around 160 mg of caffeine, which is more than a handful of popular energy drinks.

More often than not, as you can see from the table above, the caffeine in Monster Energy is the least of your problems, as these things often contain quite a lot of sugar (often upwards of 50 grams) and, therefore, calories.

So, not only should you watch your daily caffeine consumption, but you also need to pay attention to your overall calorie intake, meaning you shouldn’t be consuming Monster Energy Drinks like they’re water.

Benefits & Risks Of Drinking Monster Energy Drinks

While it does matter how much caffeine in Monster Energy drinks there is, that’s definitely not the whole story.

As with most other energy drinks, there are both benefits and potential drawbacks to consider when consuming them.

The Good

Gives you energy

Energizing effects of Monster are why this is one of the most popular energy drinks on the planet.

Packed with ingredients like caffeine, taurine, Panax ginseng root extract, and guarana seed extract, this thing can give you that extra boost to power through your gym session or just your day in general.[4]

Keeps you sharp and focused

In addition to the energy boost, some ingredients in this energy beverage, such as caffeine and taurine, may help enhance mental focus and alertness, helping you crush long study sessions, work projects, or any activity that requires sustained concentration (which is why I still turn to Monster very often).

Comes in tons of flavors

This popular energy drink comes in a wide range of flavors, from the original flavor to sugar-free Monster like Monster Zero Ultra or other fun options like Juice Monster, Monster Ultra, Mega Monster, Blue Monster, Watermelon, etc.

And yes, the Monster Beverage Corporation continues to add to this list all the time, meaning there are more cool new flavors to try and cans to collect.

It’s affordable

Compared to a cup of coffee from your local café or Starbucks, Monster Energy drinks are usually MUCH easier on the wallet.

There are some Monster Energy packs just above 20 bucks, which, compared to six cups of coffee (or better yet, ten, if we're equating the caffeine content), is a MEGA deal.

It’s super convenient

Whether you're heading to work, school, or the gym, you can grab a can of Monster and just slip it into your backpack.

Also, if you're in a rush, it's much easier to turn to a cold Moster than brew a cup of coffee.

The Bad

High Levels of Caffeine

As we said, a 16-ounce can of Monster typically contains around 160 mg of caffeine, which is basically equivalent to two cups of brewed coffee.

And, if you turn to Monster Java, you're looking at 200 mg of caffeine or more.

Sugar Content

Energy drinks, in general, are high in sugar, which can contribute to weight gain and an array of other health issues.

And while there are zero-sugar options out there, those substitutes like Ace-K, erythritol, or sucralose aren't necessarily healthier than regular sugar.

Excessive Consumption

Too much monster equals too much caffeine equals difficulty sleeping, increased heart rate, and high blood pressure.

The same is true for every other caffeinated beverage.

So, please monitor your daily caffeine intake, especially if you also consume other caffeinated beverages like coffee, green tea, or things like Red Bull and Rockstar Energy Drink.

Artificial Ingredients

Monster Energy contains synthetic caffeine and other artificial ingredients, which may not sound like a big deal - but it is.

Synthetic stimulants don’t have the same health benefits as natural stimulants found in coffee beans or herbal teas, and artificial sweeteners do more harm than good.

Potential Health Risks

Now, we’re not your healthcare provider, but even we know that drinking Monster Energy drink every single day and a balanced diet don’t really go hand in hand.

Regular consumption of Monster Energy drinks may pose potential health risks for some - especially if they have any pre-existing health conditions.

Caffeine In Monster Drinks Vs Coffee (Energy Comparison)

Coffee typically contains about 90 mg of caffeine, which is significantly less than the 160 mg of caffeine found in Monsters.

Now, as far as how much energy it gives you - that depends.

People react to stimulants differently. Some experience trouble sleeping from a little bit of caffeine, and others might need upwards of 300 mg to get into the zone.

How much caffeine you need for an extra boost depends on a lot of factors, including age, weight, and tolerance to stimulants.

That said, 100 mg of caffeine is usually “felt” by most people.

How To Reduce Caffeine Intake From Monster Energy Drink

Reducing caffeine intake from Monsters is pretty easy. All you have to do is:

Honestly, that’s it.

Related Monster Energy Drink Questions

Are Monster Energy drinks considered healthy?

Monster Energy drinks aren’t necessarily considered healthy or unhealthy. While they’re definitely not as healthy as a cup of coffee, as long as you drink them occasionally - you should be fine.

Do Monster Energy drinks aid in physical performance?

Monster Energy drinks do aid in physical performance. Caffeine is a natural stimulant known to boost everything from power output to endurance, so even one energy drink could boost your physical performance.[5]

How many Monsters can I drink in a day?

You can drink one Monster per day if you lead an otherwise healthy lifestyle. However, even that could be too much due to excessive amounts of sugar and artificial ingredients in these drinks.

Does Monster have more caffeine than Red Bull?

Monster has more caffeine than Red Bull. The Original Monster (160 mg) has twice as much caffeine as Red Bull (80 mg).

How long does a Monster take to kick in?

It takes about half an hour to an hour for a Monster to kick in, depending on which one you drink, what time of day it is, how well you’ve eaten that day, and of course, your personal tolerance.

How long does Monster Energy last?

Monster Energy usually lasts about 3 hours, although caffeine’s half-life is usually twice as long.[6]

Can I have Monster Energy drinks during pregnancy?

You can, but you shouldn’t drink Monster or other energy drinks during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Now that you know how much caffeine is Monster packing - how many cans a day will you drink?

Jokes aside, if your goal is to limit consumption of caffeine, switching to a drink with less caffeine is a good move. Whether that’s coffee, tea, or another energy drink - that’s up to you.

I stuck with Monster all these years, and as long as you monitor all the caffeine you drink in a day - you can, too.

References:

1. https://www.monsterenergy.com/en-us/energy-drinks/monster-energy/original-green/
2. https://examine.com/supplements/taurine/
3. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/how-read-food-and-beverage-labels
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20421833
5. https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/ijsnem/22/3/article-p157.xml
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK223808/