Straight answer: It’s advisable to consume NOS energy drink moderately and every other day because this drink contains a high amount of sugar well above the recommended rate.
I know from experience that once you discover an energy drink that tastes good and does the trick of boosting your energy throughout the day, it’s tempting to drink it all day long and for every single day after that.
I perfectly understand this temptation.
But if NOS is your kind of energy drink, I advise you to take a long look at the ingredients of this power drink and learn if it’s healthy to drink NOS on a regular basis.
For the nitty-gritty details, read along.
I’ll share with you everything there is to know about NOS.
Page Contents
Is NOS a Safe Energy Drink?
NOS is a safe energy drink. As long as a reasonable dose of NOS is consumed, there is no risk of experiencing any adverse effects. There are no hazardous ingredients present, however, the high sugar content can be harmful if it is drunk in excessive quantities.
What happens if you drink too much NOS energy drink?
If you drink too much NOS energy drink, you will experience unwelcome effects such as nerve damage. NOS includes Vitamin B-6, which, when consumed in large quantities, has the potential to be toxic and harmful, which results in nerve damage.
What are the ingredients of the NOS Energy Drink?
NOS has been around since 2005 and is manufactured by Monster Beverage Company.
It is marketed as a high-performance energy drink because it provides whoever drinks it with a tremendous energy boost. After drinking a can of NOS, you will easily feel stimulated and ready to get through the day.
Throughout the years, it retained its popularity because of its two featured ingredients, taurine, and caffeine, which are both known to enhance mental focus.
NOS is sold in 16 fl.oz and 24 fl.oz cans. In the table below are their respective nutrition values.
| NOS Ingredients | 16 fl. oz | 24 fl. oz |
| Calories | 210 | 310 |
| Sugar | 53 grams | 80 grams |
| Fat | 0 grams | 0 grams |
| Sodium | 410 mg | 620 mg |
| Total Carb | 54 grams | 81 grams |
| Protein | 0 grams | 0 grams |
| Vit B6 | 200% of Daily Values | 300% of Daily Values |
| Vit B12 | 200% of Daily Values | 300% of Daily Values |
Aside from this, every can of NOS contains traces of the following ingredients.
Take a quick look first and then I will explain some of the most important ingredients such as sugar, caffeine, and taurine as you read on.
- Carbonated Water
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Citric Acid
- Sodium Citrate
- Sodium Hexametaphosphate (Preservative)
- Natural Flavors
- Taurine
- Caffeine
- Gum Arabic
- Potassium Sorbate (Preservative)
- Ester Gum
- Sucralose
- Yellow 5
- Inositol
- Calcium Disodium EDTA (Preservative)
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vit. B6)
- Yellow 6
- Guarana Extract
- Cyanocobalamin (Vit. B12)
What is taurine?
So first things first, taurine is an essential amino acid.
According to experts, taurine helps keep the body cells hydrated and aids in food digestion.
Taurine is commonly found in energy drinks at around 20 to 200 mg per can. The recommended amount to consume is about 40 to 400 mg of taurine per day on average.
So, the amount of taurine in NOS is just within the right level of consumption. It is not too high that it will force you to cut back on other sources of taurine in your daily diet. At the same time, it is high enough for you to reap its benefits.
Usually, taurine is found in protein-rich food, so it’s really a great find when you can conveniently get it in energy drinks enriched with the amino acid too.
Taurine found in energy drinks are convenient because you can consume it on-the-go and still get all the health benefits associated with it.
What is caffeine?
Now, caffeine is a stimulant naturally found in plants such as coffee and tea.
Beverage manufacturers add this in energy drinks because caffeine stimulates parts of the brain that makes us feel drowsy and tired. Caffeine provides the kick found in most energy drinks.
Caffeine, in liquid form, is also easily absorbed from the gut and then directly into the bloodstream. That’s why you may notice that you quickly feel alert after finishing a cup of coffee or a can of NOS.
Aside from that, studies also show that drinking small amounts of caffeine before exercising is likely to improve exercise performance. For short- more calories burn out!
How much caffeine does NOS Energy Drink contain?
The NOS Energy Drink contains 160 mg of caffeine in every 16 fl. oz can and 240 mg in 24 fl. oz can. This amount is considered fairly average because there are energy drinks sold in the market with much lower or higher caffeine levels compared to NOS.
To give you an idea, the Monster energy drink has 158.4 mg of caffeine which is close to NOS’ caffeine content level.
There are also drinks with much lower caffeine content like Red Bull which holds only 80 mg of caffeine in a regular-sized can. On the other end, there are much stronger energy drinks such as Bang which has a staggering 300 mg of caffeine.
All of these amounts are still well and inside the Food and Drug Administration’s 400 mg recommended level of caffeine intake for healthy adults per day.
So, there’s no need to worry!
Before we move on, just let me caution you with some of the adverse effects of too much caffeine intake.
If you consume more than 400 mg of caffeine per day your body will start to feel the following:
- insomnia
- anxiousness
- fast heart rate
- jittery
- upset stomach
- nausea
- headache
- low spirited
Personally, because I am sensitive to caffeine and I easily get jittery, my sweet spot of caffeine content ranges from 60 mg to 130 mg at most.
Of course, this is a case-to-case basis. It may be different for you because perhaps you are used to consuming a certain number of energy drinks in a day.
Despite this, it’s essential to observe how your body reacts when drinking NOS to be safe.
If you feel energized and you don’t feel agitated then you’re good to go!
How much sugar does NOS Energy Drink contain?
A regular 16 fl.oz can of NOS contains 53 grams of sugar while a 24 fl. oz contains 80 grams of sugar. These amounts far exceed the recommended sugar intake suggested by the American Heart Association.
While it is normal for energy drinks to contain lots of sugar, the amount of sugar in NOS is too much compared to other energy drinks available in the market because it is almost twice the recommended amount.
I know that one can always cut back on sugar content in other beverages or food but the excess amount is still very significant for me.
For instance, the Monster energy drink in the same 16 fl.oz contains 3 grams less than NOS.
You can refer to the daily sugar limit table I added here to quickly check the sugar content of everything you consume.
| Male | Female |
| 36 grams | 25 grams |
| 150 calories | 100 calories |
I am not being paranoid here by counting to the last gram of sugar but we need to be realistic and stay on the safe side.
Besides, we all know that too much sugar may lead to unwanted calories, then diabetes, and before you know other health complications such as acne, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and high blood pressure may arise.
Consuming too much sugar can also be counterproductive for your performance. Related studies show that instead of being alert, excess sugar can leave people in low moods and lowered energy levels.
Certainly, we don’t want that!
Different Flavors of NOS Energy Drink
NOS energy drink is available in 6 different flavors. Original and GT Grape contains identical ingredients while the four other varieties of NOS are enriched with more B-Vitamins.
- Original
- GT Grape
- Nitro Mango- contains additional Vit. B3 and Vit.B5
- Sonic Sour- contains additional Vit. B3 and Vit.B5
- Power Punch- contains additional Vit. B3 and Vit.B5
- Turbo- contains additional Vit. B3 and Vit.B5
Give this video a watch to see a quick review of NOS Energy Drink!
You can buy NOS directly at their website. It’s also available in different online retailer shops such as Amazon and Ebay.
The price varies across the different retailers, but usually, a 6-pack of NOS Original 16 fl. oz costs about $22 while a 24-pack is about $42.
Should you drink NOS Energy Drink every day?
Considering NOS’ sugar and caffeine content, it’s advisable to drink it moderately and not on a daily basis. It’s healthy to drink NOS occasionally and then explore other beverages that may give you the same energy lift.
Drinking one can of NOS when you need extra energy and mental sharpness to pull an all-nighter or do some serious work is not necessarily harmful.
Just be mindful of consuming other foods that may have high sugar and caffeine content, too, so you won’t experience a caffeine overdose or sugar rush.
Moderation is key.
This is because many experts believe that frequent consumption of different energy drinks together with herbal medicines and other supplements that promote alertness may lead to caffeine toxicity.
Take one at a time and be mindful of what you consume.
What are the pros and cons of drinking NOS every day?
One of its advantages is that NOS is proven effective by many to increase their energy and brain focus. It’s also packed with B vitamins which directly impact brain function and energy level.
The downside as you know is the high sugar content that may lead to other health risks later on.
I think this is a fairly acceptable combination of pros and cons.
When you think about it, everything we consume contains lots of sugar. It is also the main ingredient in most energy drinks because sugar and caffeine work together as stimulants to help keep you alert.
The safest way is to just be aware of how much you should consume. And reduce intake of other foods and beverages with caffeine or sugar content!
For instance, if I drink one can of NOS today I will limit my coffee intake to one, small cup and I won’t drink any carbonated beverage to curb my sugar intake.
Who can and cannot drink NOS?
NOS is safe to drink for adults with the exception of children, people who are sensitive to caffeine, to pregnant women, and breastfeeding women.
While the drink is relatively safe for many, our bodies react differently because we have varying caffeine tolerance.
Also, if your kids want to try out NOS energy drink keep in mind that FDA advisory which urges you to consult your pediatrician first about it.
This is because children have a more sensitive nervous system than adults and they may not be able to handle high-performance energy drinks such as NOS.
Can drinking NOS Energy Drink every day affect your health?
Drinking NOS Energy Drink every day can negatively impact your health. The combination of high caffeine and sugar content can increase the risk of various health issues, including cardiovascular problems, obesity, and dental decay. Regular consumption of energy drinks may also interfere with sleep patterns and contribute to caffeine dependency.
Prioritizing a balanced, nutrient-rich diet and lifestyle choices that support natural energy and hydration is essential. Consider alternatives like a balanced diet, consistent exercise, enough sleep, and, if necessary, moderate consumption of beverages with lower caffeine content if you occasionally need an energy boost.
Is NOS a safe energy drink?
NOS is generally a safe drink. However, while the drink is generally recognized as safe when consumed in moderation by healthy individuals, it contains high levels of caffeine and other stimulants. Excessive consumption or consumption by those with certain health conditions or sensitivities can pose risks.
The high caffeine content in NOS can lead to potential side effects such as increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, nervousness, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping. Moreover, the high sugar content in the drink can contribute to weight gain and other health issues associated with excessive sugar consumption.
Alternative Choices to NOS Energy Drink
If you’re keen on trying energy drinks like NOS here are some of my suggestions that you can explore.
Final Word
The key to enjoying NOS energy drink is moderation.
Look, I know it’s delicious, but that taste is at the expense of high sugar levels.
Because of its high sugar levels and caffeine content, you shouldn’t drink NOS energy drink every day.
If you’re wondering if it’s possible to drink it daily, then the answer is yes. But there will be repercussions.
Best prepare for potential health problems like experiencing a caffeine overdose or a bad case of acne.
Drinking more than the daily recommended sugar intake may eventually lead to complications like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and high blood pressure.
I do not recommend that you drink NOS energy drink every day. To be safe, drink it at least every other day and watch everything else you consume.
If you drink NOS energy drink moderately, you can still enjoy all of its health and energy-boosting benefits without immediate health risks. Just don’t drink NOS daily, and you’ll be fine.
What are you waiting for? Go grab a NOS energy drink today! You deserve it.