Over the years, energy drinks have become a popular drink of choice for many Australians. For those hitting the gym to others working long hours, these functional non-alcoholic drinks provide people with the added boost. And with so many different options available now, including low- and no-sugar options, there are energy drinks to suit any need or taste.
Energy drinks are functional beverages for people in need of a boost to get through their day. The typical 250mL energy drink contains a similar amount of caffeine as a cup of instant coffee¹ and can also contain other ingredients, such as ginseng, guarana, B vitamins and taurine.
Whatever your taste, all energy drinks provide clear and informative labelling to ensure you are fully aware of the ingredients and can find the right option for you.
Energy drinks are for adults. Whether you are physically active, such as an athlete, gym-goer, a worker in a demanding physical occupation, or are a mentally active person, an energy drink can be an option for you.
As with other caffeinated products, the beverage industry understands that energy drinks are not suitable for children. The industry is committed to responsible marketing and sales practices through both its Energy Drinks Commitment and its Marketing and Advertising Pledge. Through these commitments the beverages industry does not market these drinks to children or sell them in schools.
It is also recommended that anyone who is pregnant, lactating, and/or sensitive to caffeine should avoid energy drinks, just like other caffeine sources.
Australia has some of the strictest regulations on energy drinks in the world. Energy drinks fall under general food law and must comply with the Australia and New Zealand Food Standards Code. Learn more about the code here.
How much caffeine are you consuming a day? How often and at what time of day? Naturally, this will differ from person to person, but health advice tells us you should be mindful of your intake and make informed choices on what's right for you. So, always make sure that your energy selection and caffeine consumption is right for you and your health. Check the label for more information.
An energy drink can contain up to a maximum of 80mg of caffeine per 250mL, which is about the same amount of caffeine as in a cup of instant coffee. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) along with other international food standards agencies consider 400mg of caffeine a day, from all sources, as safe.⁴ ⁵
All energy drinks contain caffeine, but many also have other ingredients.
Some energy drinks contain added sugar in amounts comparable to popular soft drinks and juices. There are also no-sugar options available to suit specific dietary needs and provide consumers with choice.
Energy drinks without sugar often contain non-sugar sweeteners such as Acesulphame potassium (Ace-K) and sucralose and are a great alternative if you want to manage your sugar intake. All non-sugar sweeteners that are used in energy drinks have been approved by Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
Taurine is an amino acid naturally produced by the human body and is involved in many of its vital functions. Taurine also occurs naturally in many foods, such as poultry and seafood.
Used for centuries as a medicinal herb, ginseng has reputed benefits, such as increasing energy, helping to fight fatigue, reducing stress levels, and improving memory retention.⁶
Guarana is native to the Amazon. Its seed is processed into powder and used by the beverage industry in energy drinks, as it contains many antioxidant properties. Guarana is commonly recognised for its ability to reduce fatigue, boost energy, and aid learning and memory.⁷
B vitamins are water soluble and can be found naturally in the foods we eat. They help the body convert carbohydrates into energy. Any excess of these water-soluble nutrients (B3, B5, B6, B12) is excreted from the body.
Australian energy drink manufacturers are at the forefront of responsible commitments to the manufacture, marketing and sales of their products, including:
The Australian Beverages Council and its member energy drink manufacturers have made commitments in relation to these products.
