This caffeine-filled drink was invented in 1987 in Austria, becoming the most popular energy drink in the world. Red Bull is a taste best described as tangy and fruity, with about as much caffeine as 2 espresso shots. This beverage will surely have you energized, but is it suitable for a vegan lifestyle?
Red Bull is vegan because it doesn’t contain any animal products. However, it is important to note that vegans may avoid Red Bull as a company due to consistent experimentation on animals and the use of food dye additives. The best vegan alternatives to Red Bull include Canna Hemp Energy Drink, V8+ Energy Drinks, and METTA Natural Awareness Drinks.
In this article, we’ll discuss the nutritional value of Red Bull, as well as offer some vegan alternatives. Let’s dig in!
Contents
Is Red Bull Healthy?
Red bull is not exactly healthy, as it contains a good amount of sugar and caffeine. This can contribute to the raising of blood pressure and heart rate if not handled with care.
Caffeine Overconsumption
Caffeine is a stimulant, meaning that it does a few things to the body that can be unpleasant to people with pre-existing conditions. A few of these side effects include a spike in heart rate, raising blood pressure, an increase in body temperature, and if not restricted, caffeine overdose.
Increases the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
One of the risks associated more specifically with Red Bull is the increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes. The excessive amount of sugar that can come from regular consumption can cause a quarter rise in risk for those who regularly consume sugary drinks. A study was done recently found that adults who consume 1-2 servings of sugary beverages can have a 26% increase in the future risk of type 2 diabetes.
Damages Teeth
Red Bull is an extremely acidic drink, thanks in no part to the very popular ingredient citric acid that Red Bull has. This means that regular intake can bring to harm tooth enamel, and the rate that energy drinks will do this is much higher than even soda pops.
Kidney Failure
Red Bull consumed on an excessive basis will lead to a decline in kidney function in the future. While this has not been studied on humans yet, studies found that rats with a chronic intake of Red Bull have a significant decline in kidney function. Seeing as Red Bull is also high in sugar, this can have a significant impact on your kidneys as well.
Red Bull Nutritional Information by Product
Original Red Bull
Original Red Bull is the most consumed energy drink in the world, topping even giants such as monster and coffee. However, this doesn’t mean that they are necessarily a better option. The high sugar and carbohydrate count can interfere with low carb and low sugar diets.
Nutrition Facts (per 1 can):
- 111 Calories
- 0g Total Fat
- 0g Saturated Fat
- 0g Trans Fat
- 0g Polyunsaturated Fat
- 0g Monounsaturated Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 101mg Sodium
- 26g Total Carbohydrates
- 0g Dietary Fiber
- 26g Total Sugars
- 1.2g Protein
- 74.8mg Caffeine
Ingredients:
- Carbonated Water
- Sucrose
- Glucose
- Citric Acid
- Taurine
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Magnesium Carbonate
- Caffeine
- Niacinamide
- Calcium Pantothenate
- Pyridoxine HCI
- Vitamin B12
- Natural and Artificial Flavor
- Red Coloring
Sugar-Free Red Bull
Sugar-Free Red Bull, while having lower calories and sugar, won’t take away some of the biggest effects of long-term consumption of Red Bull. Unfortunately, the use of aspartame and acesulfame K isn’t the best sugar substitute.
Nutrition Facts (per 1 can):
- 20 Calories
- 0g Total Fat
- 0g Saturated Fat
- 0g Trans Fat
- 0g Polyunsaturated Fat
- 0g Monounsaturated Fat
- 150mg Sodium
- 3g Total Carbohydrates
- 0g Sugars
- 0g Protein
- 74.8mg Caffeine
Ingredients:
- Carbonated Water
- Citric Acid
- Taurine
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Magnesium Carbonate
- Colors
- Caffeine
- Aspartame
- Acesulfame K
- Xanthan Gum
- Niacinamide
- Vitamin B6
- Calcium Pantothenate
- Phenylketonurics
Red Bull: The Blue Edition
The blue edition of Red Bull is a blueberry version of the original Red Bull, often chosen because of the mix of sweet and tangy that can be hard to find in other drinks. However, there aren’t any changes to the additives that they put in the drink.
Nutrition Facts (per 1 can):
- 160 Calories
- 0g Total Fat
- 0g Saturated Fat
- 0g Trans Fat
- 0g Polyunsaturated Fat
- 0g Monounsaturated Fat
- 140mg Sodium
- 41g Total Carbohydrates
- 38g Sugars
- 1g Protein
Ingredients:
- Carbonated Water
- Sucrose
- Glucose
- Citric Acid
- Taurine
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Magnesium Carbonate
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Caffeine
- Colors
- Niacinamide
- Pyridoxine HCl
- Calcium Pantothenate
- Blue 1
- Vitamin B12
Red Bull: The Winter Edition
The winter edition of Red Bull is pomegranate flavored and has a bite that many people love when the season comes around. But when it comes to additives, it still uses the same ones that would cause the side effects below.
Nutrition Facts (per 1 can):
- 160 Calories
- 0g Total Fat
- 0g Saturated Fat
- 0g Trans Fat
- 0g Polyunsaturated Fat
- 0g Monounsaturated Fat
- 125mg Sodium
- 40g Total Carbohydrates
- 38g Sugars
- 0.5g Protein
Ingredients:
- Carbonated Water
- Sucrose
- Glucose
- Citric Acid
- Taurine
- Sodium Citrate
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Caffeine
- Color
- Niacinamide
- Pyridoxine HCI
- Calcium Pantothenate
- Blue 1
- Vitamin B12
Red Bull: The Yellow Edition
This Red bull takes a bit of a divergence from the traditional, biting flavors, opting for a sweeter tropical flavor. This yellow edition drink is also extremely popular but doesn’t get rid of harmful additives.
Nutrition Facts (per 1 can):
- 160 Calories
- 0g Total Fat
- 0g Saturated Fat
- 0g Trans Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 200mg Sodium
- 42g Total Carbohydrates
- 0g Dietary Fiber
- 39g Sugars
- 1g Protein
Ingredients:
- Carbonated Water
- Sucrose
- Glucose
- Citric Acid
- Taurine
- Sodium Citrate
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Caffeine
- Colors
- Niacinamide
- Glycerol Esters of Wood Rosins
- Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate
- Pyridoxine HCI
- Calcium Pantothenate
- Vitamin B12
Red Bull: The Peach Edition
This edition of Red Bull is a blend of peach and nectarine, with a very sweet and tangy flavor similar to the tropical flavor. The main additives such as B12 and colors are also still present.
Nutrition Facts (per 1 can):
- 160 Calories
- 0g Total Fat
- 0g Saturated Fat
- 0g Trans Fat
- 0g Polyunsaturated Fat
- 0g Monounsaturated Fat
- 125mg Sodium
- 0mg Potassium
- 40g Total Carbohydrates
- 38g Sugars
- 1g Protein
Ingredients:
- Carbonated Water
- Sucrose
- Glucose
- Citric Acid
- Taurine
- Sodium Citrate
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Glycerol Ester of Wood Resin
- Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate
- Caffeine
- Niacinamide
- Pyridoxine HCI
- Calcium Pantothenate
- Vitamin B12
Red Bull: The Green Edition
The green edition of Red Bull is a mix of kiwi and apple flavors but doesn’t get rid of the additives that will cause the symptoms listed below.
Nutrition Facts (per 1 can):
With a serving size of 1 can, this drink contains:
- 160 Calories
- 0g Total Fat
- 0g Saturated Fat
- 0g Trans Fat
- 0g Polyunsaturated Fat
- 0g Monounsaturated Fat
- 100mg Sodium
- 0g Potassium
- 40g Total Carbohydrates
- 38g Sugars
- 1g Proteins
Ingredients:
- Carbonated Water
- Sucrose
- Glucose
- Citric Acid
- Taurine
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Sodium Citrate
- Caffeine
- Colors
- Niacinamide
- Pyridoxine HCI
- Calcium Pantothenate
- Blue 1
- Vitamin B12
Red Bull: Coconut Edition
Red Bulls coconut edition is a mix of coconut and berry. This is one of the least popular flavors in Red Bull’s repertoire, but there isn’t a significant departure from the original ingredients minus the flavorings.
Nutrition Facts (per 1 can):
- 160 Calories
- Total Fat 0g
- Saturated Fat 0g
- Trans Fat 0g
- 0g Polyunsaturated Fat
- 0g Monounsaturated Fat
- 125mg Sodium
- 40g Total Carbohydrates
- 38g Sugars
- 1g Protein
Ingredients:
- Carbonated Water
- Sucrose
- Glucose
- Citric Acid
- Taurine
- Sodium Citrate
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Glycerol Ester of Wood Rosin
- Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate
- Caffeine
- Niacinamide
- Pyridoxine HCI
- Calcium Pantothenate
- Color
- Blue 1
- Vitamin B12
Red Bull: The Red Edition
The red version of Red Bull is watermelon flavored and is definitely more on the sweet side. This has the same additives that the other drinks that cause the side effects below.
Nutrition Facts (per 1 can):
- 110 Calories
- 0g Total Fat
- 0g Saturated Fat
- 0g Trans Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 100mg Sodium
- 28g Total Carbohydrates
- 0g Dietary Fiber
- 27g Sugars
- 0.5g Protein
Ingredients:
- Carbonated Water
- Sucrose
- Glucose
- Citric Acid
- Taurine
- Sodium Citrate
- Magnesium Carbonate
- Caffeine
- Niacinamide
- Calcium Pantothenate
- Pyridoxine HCI
- Vitamin B12
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Colors
Alternatives to Red Bull
Canna Hemp Energy Drinks
For a healthier and more natural alternative to Red Bull, try looking at nature’s medicine as an alternative to stimulants and sugars. Made with hemp seed oil and coffee bean extract, this drink gives you sustainable energy while being Non-GMO, 3rd party tested, Gluten-Free, Vegan, THC-free, All-Natural, and Cruelty-Free.
Nutrition Facts (per 12 fl. oz.):
- 40 Calories
- 15g Total Carbohydrates
- 0g Dietary Fiber
- 10g Sugars
- 0g Fat
- 0g Saturated Fat
- 0g Polyunsaturated Fat
- 0g Monounsaturated Fat
- 0g Trans Fat
- 125mg Sodium
- 0g Protein
Ingredients:
- Hemp Seed Oil
- Pure Cane Sugar
- B Vitamins
V8+ Energy Drinks
v8 is a natural blend of energy made of fruit, veggies, and tea, giving you the same amount of caffeine as a regular coffee. With no added sugars and high in vitamin B, it’s easy to add to your diet. They have both carbonated and non-carbonated.
Nutrition Facts (per 1 can):
- 50 Calories
- 0g Total Fat
- 0g Saturated Fat
- 0g Trans Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 60mg Sodium
- 12g Total Carbohydrates
- 0g Dietary Fiber
- 10g Total Sugars
- 0g Added Sugars
- 0g Protein
Ingredients:
- Water
- Vegetable Juice
- Fruit Juice
- Natural Flavoring
- Malic Acid
- Citric Acid
- Caffeine From Black and Green Tea
- Vitamin C
- Sucralose
- Niacinamide
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
- Cyanocobalamin
METTA Natural Awareness Drinks
This is a great alternative for the caffeine intolerant are these drinks that use ginger root to enhance performance entirely naturally. These drinks are entirely natural, contain fruit juices, and are refined sugar-free.
Nutrition Facts (per 1 can):
- 25 Calories
- 7g Total Carbohydrate
- 6g Total Sugars
- 4mg Vitamin C
- 0.9mg Riboflavin
- 10mg Vitamin B3
- 1mg Vitamin B6
- 5mg Pantothenic Acid
- 40mg Sodium
Ingredients:
- Carbonated Water
- White Grape Juice Concentrate
- Blueberry Juice Concentrate
- Natural Flavors
- Lemon Juice Concentrate
- Sea Salt
- Ginger Root Extract
- Stevia Extract
Related Questions
Does Red Bull still use Taurine?
Red Bull does not use taurine harvested from animals. Rather, it uses a synthetic form of taurine in order to get the same effect.
What is Red Bull’s Alcohol Percentage?
There is 0% alcohol in Red Bull energy drink, as it doesn’t contain alcohol. However, it is routinely used as an additive to alcohol.