Energy beverages are a popular way to get a quick boost of energy. They’re often marketed as healthier and better for you than traditional coffee, which originally got me interested in them.
Modern-day energy drinks, those cans, bottles, and cans of delicious caffeine, have become a mainstay of the modern-day. They’re a great way to enhance energy when you need it most. But too much of a good thing can have adverse health effects. Most energy beverages contain high caffeine, which is a stimulant.
As much as we love to consume energy drinks, recently I have heard lots of side effects of energy drinks; this cannot be generalized to all energy beverages but for most of them.
One of the main side effects of energy drinks is that they can cause bloating and make you all gassy! Not a pleasant thing? I know.
Some people with sensitive stomachs also experience gas and bloating after drinking energy drinks, which may be caused by the high amount of sugar in the drinks or too much caffeine, or Carbonated water.
Let’s explore this all a little more and unveil the ingredient which might cause an upset and gassy stomach.
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Ingredients in Energy Drinks that Cause Bloating
Bloating is a feeling of discomfort or discomfort in your abdomen, usually in the middle or upper part of your abdomen. It can also feel like your abdomen is larger than normal.
Some people experience mild bloating, while others experience severe bloating. It is usually caused by eating a large amount of food or drinking a lot of fluid, but it can also be caused by eating too many carbohydrates or taking in too much air when you eat.
However, there are several ingredients in energy drinks, that are likely to make you bloated or gassy. Let’s learn a little more about these ingredients!
Caffeine
Caffeine is the most common ingredient found in energy drinks. Most people consume energy drinks for the reason that they contain caffeine.
It is the most effective ingredient in reducing fatigue symptoms; its molecules attach themselves to adenosine receptors and immediately provide you with refreshing feelings.
We know that it is a good ingredient as it has the following benefits:
- Brain functions better.
- Memory strengthens.
- Increase in physical performance.
- Better concentration.
- Quicker fat burning.
- Reduced Fatigue.
However, along with these amazing benefits of caffeine, there are several side effects of consuming caffeine, which are the following:
- It causes jitters.
- It might cause nausea.
- Caffeine can make you lightheaded.
- It can upset your stomach, make you gassy/bloated and even lead to diarrhea.
- Caffeine can make you an insomniac.
- It can cause dehydration.
Caffeine is likely to enhance your gut motility, which gets all the food moving in your stomach. If you are constipated then it can be good for you.
However, if you have a sensitive stomach, then caffeine is most likely to cause bloating and diarrhea; caffeine can excite your digestive tract upon consumption, and people with a sensitive stomach can experience this over-excited digestive stomach with a higher intensity.
If you wish to choose your energy drinks wisely after considering the amount of caffeine in each energy drink then you should read What Energy Drink Has the Most Caffeine
Sweeteners
There are more than thousands of types of sweeteners present in energy drinks; both natural and artificial.
The most common type of natural sweetener is sucrose; however, sucrose is not a friendly sweetener and is dense in calories.
As an alternative, many energy drinks have switched to artificial sweeteners and these artificial sweeteners are said to be good for diabetics.
Energy drinks are high in artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame, Sucralose, Sorbitol, etc. However, these sweeteners are likely to cause upset stomachs such as gas and bloating.
Moreover, in case you are intolerant to any of these sweeteners including sucrose, fructose, or corn syrup, then your stomach is likely to bloat and become gassy.
Gluten
When you eat something that contains gluten, such as bread, pasta, or anything that has been baked with flour that contains the protein, it can cause you to feel bloated and gassy, sometimes to the point of being uncomfortable.
This is because your body tries to cleanse itself of the excess gluten, which can cause your intestines to become blocked.
Some energy drinks also contain gluten, which provides them with a certain texture. These energy drinks containing gluten can cause a bloated stomach.
Moreover, some people who are sensitive to gluten, or have gluten intolerance, should definitely not consume an energy drink containing gluten because it will not only cause an upset stomach and bloating but also other allergic reactions.
Ginseng
Ginseng, which is herbal medicine, has been used for decades and centuries as a natural remedy for a wide variety of conditions.
Although it has been used as a stimulant to improve energy and enhance the immune system, it has also been used to relieve stress, boost the immune system, reduce fatigue and alleviate muscle and joint pain, enhance athletic performance, support healthy skin, and hair, and promote longevity.
However, Ginseng can cause an upset stomach and make you bloated as it might not suit everyone. It can cause upset stomach, dizziness, and headaches.
Carbonated water
Carbonated water is another ingredient in energy drinks, which can make you gassy and bloated. It is a mix of water and pressurized carbonated water.
It is a zero-calorie drink as it is like plain water with added carbon dioxide. Carbonated water is likely to keep you full for longer, however, it can make you gassy and bloated.
Can Energy Drinks Make You Gassy?
Yes, energy drinks can make you gassy and bloated. They contain several ingredients which can upset your stomach.
Energy drinks are high in sugar, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, carbonated water, and other herbs which are added to provide additional energy. However, not all of these ingredients are digestive tract friendly.
Due to the presence of such ingredients, energy drinks can make you gassy.
Will Energy Drinks Make You Bloated?
Bloating means abdominal discomfort and swelling caused by the gas in the intestines, which might happen due to several reasons.
Energy drinks can cause gas, which will lead to bloating, so your stomach is likely to bloat because of the ingredients like carbonated water, sugar, caffeine, etc.
Can Energy Drinks Give You Stomach Pains?
Energy drinks can cause pain in the stomach due to various reasons. It contains ingredients like gluten, carbs, caffeine, carbonated water, etc.
Some people have gluten intolerance, which might make them all bloated and have stomach cramps. Caffeine-sensitive people can also experience stomach cramps.
Can Energy Drinks Make You Fat?
Not all energy drinks, but energy drinks are high in calories and contain a high amount of sugar can make you fat.
Energy drinks such as monster energy drinks and red bull energy drinks contain sugar in high amounts, having a can of it is okay, but consuming more than 1 can per day can actually cross your sugar intake limit, alone.
Sugar is a calorie-dense sweetener and it can actually cause you to become fat.
Do Monster Energy Drinks Cause Gas?
Monster energy drink is a famous energy drink, in fact, it is the most popular energy drink. It is usually preferred by gamers and it comes in several flavors.
Despite being loved by many people for the benefits it provides, it can actually have certain side effects.
Monster energy can cause gas and an upset stomach because it contains caffeine, sugar, and carbonated water.
Does Red Bull Cause Gas?
The Red Bull energy drink is famous, in fact, it is one of the founder’s energy drinks. It is famous worldwide and sold in many countries.
Even though many people love it, many people have experienced side effects of the Red Bull energy drink.
The Red Bull energy drink can cause gas and an upset stomach because it contains caffeine, sugar, and carbonated water.
Can Energy Drinks Cause Gastrointestinal Problems?
Energy drinks if taken in more than recommended amounts can cause many gastrointestinal problems such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
To avoid any of the negative side effects of caffeine, you should try to keep your caffeine intake below 400 mg of caffeine.
Why Do Energy Drinks Give Me Diarrhea?
Energy drinks contain several ingredients which might cause diarrhea, including caffeine, carbs, and gluten.
Every person has a different metabolism, some people might not be able to metabolize caffeine easily, so even as low caffeine content as 100 mg can make your stomach upset.
How Long Does Bloating from Fizzy Drinks Last?
Bloating can last up to a few hours, it also depends on an individual. However, it is easy to get rid of bloating.
But it will take at least a few hours to completely get rid of it. You can try walking and some yoga poses to get rid of the gas in the intestines.
Energy Drinks that can make you bloat
Following are the few energy drinks, which are likely to cause bloating:
| Energy Drink | Does it Cause Bloating? |
| Red Bull | Yes |
| Celsius | No |
| Redline Xtreme | No |
| Monster Energy | Yes |
| Rockstar Recovery | No |
How to Get Rid of Bloating from Carbonated Drinks?
There are many ways to get rid of bloating. You can drink lots of water, and go for a walk. Moreover, you can try abdominal massage to get rid of bloating quickly.
Final Verdict
- One of the main side effects of energy drinks is that they can cause bloating and make you all gassy!
- Energy drinks are high in sugar, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, carbonated water, and other herbs which are added to provide additional energy, and these ingredients can cause bloating.
- There are several ways to get rid of bloating.