With busy lives becoming the norm, many of us have turned to energy drinks in search of an extra boost throughout our days. When it comes to convenience and quick pick-me-ups, nothing quite beats the ease at which you can pop open a can or bottle of your favorite go-to energy drink and get that important jolt of caffeine. But, how long do energy drinks last? Are they just as potent after a few hours? Or is there something more going on behind the scenes that could affect their ability to give us lasting energy? Here today we’ll dive deep into looking at all things related to this common question.
What’s in energy drinks?
First, let’s find out what ingredients are in energy drinks [1]. The key ingredients in energy drinks are Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins, and Sugars or Artificial Sweeteners.
- Caffeine: Caffeine is the most prominent ingredient in energy drinks and gives you an instant boost of alertness and concentration. Depending on the type of energy drink, caffeine may be found naturally in plant sources such as guarana or yerba mate, or synthetically created.
- Taurine: Taurine is an amino acid that helps to regulate water and mineral levels in your body and may improve athletic performance. It’s found in most energy drinks and may be added for flavor as well as its potential health benefits. In some cases, taurine is also thought to help reduce fatigue.
- B Vitamins: B Vitamins are essential for energy production and can provide a boost of mental clarity and focus.
- Sugars or Artificial Sweeteners: Energy drinks often contain high amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners, which can provide additional energy as well as flavor.
5 quicks things to know about energy drinks
- The shelf life of energy drinks varies depending on the type, size and manufacturer. Some energy drinks have a longer shelf life than others lasting up to two years or more when stored in a cool dry place.
- Most cans or bottles of energy drink will remain potent up to six months after their “Best-By” date.
- Once opened, energy drinks should be consumed within 24 hours in order to maintain the maximum potency of their ingredients.
- If an energy drink has been sitting out at room temperature for too long, it may become less effective and therefore not give you the same boost of energy that it had when first opened.
- To ensure you’re getting the most out of your energy drinks, keep them stored in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity. They should also be consumed within the manufacturer’s suggested “Best-By” date.
Do energy drinks keep you awake?
Yes, energy drinks do keep you awake due to their high levels of caffeine. They contain a significant amount of caffeine and other stimulants, such as guarana, taurine, and B vitamins that can help increase your energy level and alertness. The amount of caffeine in an average 8-ounce (237 ml) energy drink ranges from about 80–300 mg, depending on the brand and type. Most energy drinks also contain sugar or artificial sweeteners which can help to provide additional energy.

How long do energy drinks last in your system?
The length of time energy drinks remain in your system is largely determined by the amount and type of ingredients found in them, as well as various other factors such as body weight and metabolism.
How long does it take to feel the effects of an energy drink? Generally speaking, it takes around 1–2 hours for caffeine to be fully absorbed into your bloodstream, after which its effects will start to wear off over the course of the next 4–6 hours.
Additionally, energy drinks containing sugar will often have a longer lasting effect as the sugar can cause an extended release of energy over time.
How long does it take for energy drinks to wear off? The length of time it takes for an energy drink to completely leave your system can range anywhere from 6–24 hours.
Timeline of an Energy Drink in your body
- 10 Minutes: Caffeine starts to enter your bloodstream, providing an initial boost of energy.
- 30 Minutes: Caffeine reaches peak levels in your bloodstream and starts to provide its maximum effects.
- 1–2 Hours: Caffeine is fully absorbed by the body and begins to taper off in terms of effects.
- 4–6 Hours: Caffeine levels in your bloodstream significantly decrease, leading to a gradual decrease in the effects of energy drinks.
- 6–24 Hours: All traces of caffeine from the energy drink are eliminated from your system.

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What affects the absorption and metabolism of energy drinks?
- The Caffeine Content in the Drink – Higher concentrations of caffeine may take longer to be absorbed and metabolized by the body
- Height and Weight of Consumer – Larger individuals will take longer to absorb and metabolize energy drinks than smaller ones.
- Dehydration – Being dehydrated can slow down the absorption of energy drinks, leading to a decrease in their effectiveness.
- Metabolism – Individuals with faster metabolisms may be able to process energy drinks more quickly.
- Medication Use – Certain medications may interact with energy drinks and slow down their absorption.
- Stress Levels – Increased levels of stress can have an adverse effect on the absorption of energy drinks, leading to a decrease in their effectiveness.
- Overall Health – Poor overall health can affect the body’s ability to absorb and metabolize energy drinks.
- Genetics – Genetics can also play a role in the absorption and metabolism of energy drinks.
- Food Habits – Eating certain types of food prior to consuming energy drinks can slow down the absorption process.
- Drinking too much in a short period of time can lead to adverse effects, such as anxiety, nausea, headaches and heart palpitations.
It’s important to remember that everyone’s body will react differently depending on several factors, so it’s best to consult a healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about the effects of energy drinks.
How should I use energy drinks?
Energy drinks should be consumed in moderation and with caution. It’s best to consult a healthcare provider or nutritionist before consuming energy drinks, as they can have potentially harmful effects if used incorrectly.
It’s also important to pay attention to any warning labels on the product and stick to the recommended amount of servings per day. Energy drinks should never be consumed in lieu of meals and should always be accompanied by food. Additionally, it’s best to avoid mixing energy drinks with alcohol or other stimulants as this can increase the risk of side effects.
Overall, energy drinks are a convenient way to get an extra boost of energy when needed, but should always be used with caution.
The effects of energy drinks
Energy drinks can provide a short-term boost, but depending on the ingredients and type of energy drink, it can also have negative side effects. Consuming too much caffeine from energy drinks can lead to jitters, anxiety, headaches, heart palpitations, elevated blood pressure, digestive problems and difficulty sleeping. They may also increase your risk of developing heart conditions and other health problems in the long-term.
Therefore, it’s important to be mindful of your consumption, and never exceed the recommended servings or intake levels. For most healthy adults, a maximum of 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is considered safe. This equates to about 4 cups (950 ml) of brewed coffee, 10 cans (355 ml) of cola or 2 energy drinks.
It is important to note, however, that everyone reacts differently to caffeine and the effects could vary from person to person. If you are sensitive to caffeine or any other ingredients in energy drinks, it is best to limit your consumption or choose an alternative beverage
FAQs How long do energy drinks last
Is caffeine in energy drinks or in stronger coffee?
Caffeine is found in both energy drinks and coffee, however the amount of caffeine varies depending on the type and size of drink. For example, a typical 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains 95 milligrams of caffeine while an 8-ounce can of an energy drink may contain between 50 and 200 milligrams. Therefore, it can be said that coffee generally contains more caffeine than energy drinks.
It’s important to note, however, that the exact amount of caffeine can vary depending on the type of drink and how it is prepared. Additionally, some energy drinks may contain other added stimulants such as guarana or yerba mate which can further increase their caffeine content.
>> See more: How to make strong coffee

How many energy drinks can I have in a day?
The number of energy drinks you can consume in a day depends on your age, weight, and existing health conditions. Generally speaking, most healthy adults can consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day without any adverse effects.
How long do energy drinks last in the fridge?
Energy drinks can last in the fridge for up to six months. It’s important to store them properly and away from heat sources to ensure maximum freshness. Additionally, it is best to check the expiration date on the packaging before consuming any energy drink.
How long do energy drinks last unopened?
Unopened energy drinks can last for up to two years when stored properly. It is important to keep them away from direct sunlight, heat sources and other items that may affect their quality. Once opened, however, the shelf life will depend on the type of drink and how it was prepared.
How long do monster energy drinks last unopened?
Unopened Monster Energy drinks can last for up to two years when stored properly. It is important to keep them away from direct sunlight, heat sources and other items that may affect their quality. Once opened, however, the shelf life will depend on how it was prepared and consumed.
It is also important to note that Monster Energy drinks contain higher amounts of caffeine and other stimulants than most other energy drinks, so it is important to monitor your consumption and ensure that you are not exceeding the recommended daily limit.
How long do energy drinks last after expiration date?
Energy drinks should not be consumed after the expiration date has passed, as this can lead to harmful bacteria and other contaminants growing in the drink. It is important to monitor the expiration dates of energy drinks and discard any that are past their expiration. Additionally, it is advisable to inspect all cans before consuming them for signs of damage or punctures which may indicate that the contents could be spoiled.
How long do energy drinks last before you crash?
The effects of energy drinks vary from person to person and depend on the type of drink, its caffeine content, and other ingredients such as taurine or guarana. Generally speaking, the effects can last anywhere between two to four hours before a crash begins to set in. However, this may be shorter or longer depending on individual tolerance levels. Therefore, it is important to monitor your energy drink consumption and ensure that you are not exceeding the recommended daily limit. Additionally, it is best to avoid drinking energy drinks late in the day as this can interfere with sleep.
How to prevent energy drink crashes?
To prevent energy drink crashes, it is important to monitor consumption and not exceed the recommended daily limit. Additionally, avoid drinking energy drinks late in the day as this can interfere with sleep. If possible, opt for lower-sugar varieties of energy drinks or those without added stimulants such as guarana or yerba mate. Finally, make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day and get plenty of rest to give your body time to recover. Taking regular breaks between energy drink consumption can also help reduce the severity of the crash.
Can you mix energy drinks with alcohol?
Mixing energy drinks with alcohol is not recommended as it can increase the risk of accidents and injuries. Additionally, the combination can mask the effects of alcohol, leading to an increased risk of binge drinking and intoxication. If you choose to drink energy drinks, it is best to do so in moderation without any other substances. Furthermore, be sure to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest throughout the day to help reduce the severity of any crash. This can help to minimize the potential negative effects of consuming energy drinks.
Conclusions
How long do energy drinks last? The shelf life of energy drinks depends on a few factors, such as how they were prepared and stored. Generally, unopened energy drinks can last up to two years when stored properly. Once opened however, the shelf life will depend on how it was prepared and consumed. The effects of energy drinks vary from person to person, but generally speaking the effects can last between two to four hours before a crash begins. To prevent energy drink crashes, it is important to monitor consumption and not exceed the recommended daily limit. Additionally, avoid mixing energy drinks with alcohol as it can increase the risk of accidents and injuries. Staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest throughout the day are also important in order to reduce the severity of any crashes. By following these tips, you can safely enjoy energy drinks while avoiding the negative effects they may have on your health.

Hi, I’m Zelda Kain. I love coffee – probably a little too much! I work as an admin at Rhythmcafe, a local spot renowned for its fresh ingredients and delicious coffee. I also review home appliances such as grinders, espresso machines, and more. I’ve tried out almost every model available, so if you’re in the market for any of these items be sure to check out my reviews!