UK-based manufacturer AG Barr launched Irn-Bru Energy drink. This energy drink has the distinct flavour of the manufacturer’s popular Irn-Bru sparkling soft drink.
Each can Irn-Bru Energy drink has a moderate amount of caffeine and a pretty high amount of sugar with other ingredients.
If you’re wondering about the other ingredients of Irn-Bru Energy drinks, then you should keep reading this article. I’ll discuss those ingredients along with their risk and benefits.
Let’s take a closer look.
Page Contents
Is Irn Bru Energy an energy drink?
Irn-Bru Energy is considered an energy drink. It’s a variation of the classic Scottish soft drink, Irn-Bru, and is formulated to provide an energy boost. Irn-Bru Energy typically contains caffeine, sugar, and flavorings, like other energy drinks, and is marketed as a beverage that can help increase alertness.
It’s important to note that the caffeine and sugar content in Irn-Bru Energy can vary by region and product variation, so it’s a good practice to check the label for specific details regarding its ingredients and nutritional content. As with any energy drink, moderation in consumption is advisable.
Nutrition Information Of Irn-Bru Energy Drink
Each 330ml can of Irn-Bru Energy drink contains these nutrients:
| Name of Nutrient | Irn-Bru Energy (330ml) |
| Energy | 153 calories |
| Carbohydrates (of which sugar) | 36g (36g) |
| Salt | 0.25g |
| Caffeine | 120mg |
| Niacin (Vitamin B3) | 15.84mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.386mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.475mcg |
| Protein | 0g |
Ingredients Of Irn-Bru Energy Drink
Here is the ingredients list of Irn-Bru Energy drink:
- Calories
- Caffeine
- Carbohydrates
- Sugar (in regular version only)
- Salt
- Niacin
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B12
- Sweeteners: Aspartame and Acesulfame K (In sugar-free versions only)
- Preservative E211
- Carbonated water
- Taurine
- Quinine
- Citric acid
- Ammonium ferric citrate
- Colours: Sunset Yellow FCF, Ponceau 4R
Is There Any Difference Between Irn-Bru Soft Drink And Irn-Bru Energy Drink?
The classical Irn-Bru soft drink contains only 30mg of caffeine in each 330ml serving. It’s just a small amount to enhance the flavour of the drink.
The caffeine amount is way lower than a cup of tea (75mg) or coffee (100mg).
On the other hand, each 330ml can of Irn-Bru Energy has around 120mg of caffeine. It’s a pretty modest amount to have in an energy drink.
Therefore, the main difference between Irn-Bru soft drink and Irn-Bru Energy is the caffeine content.
Sugar In Irn-Bru Energy Drink
The regular version of Irn-Bru Energy drink contains around 36g of sugar. It’s a little higher compared to the daily sugar limit by the NHS.
If you consume the regular version of Irn-Bru Energy drink every once in a while, you might not face any health issues.
However, if you keep consuming this much sugar regularly, you may experience the following health issues:
- obesity
- fatty liver disease
- high blood pressure
- chronic inflammation
- acne
- depression
- addiction
- skin ageing
- cellular ageing.
It would be best if you only drank it when you really need an energy boost. If you want to consume Irn-Bru Energy drink regularly, you should go for the sugar-free version of Irn-Bru Energy drink.
Artificial Sweeteners In Irn-Bru Energy Drink
The sugar-free version of Irn-Bru Energy drink replaces sugar with two artificial sweeteners called aspartame and ace-K.
The EFSA approves these artificial sweeteners for general use.
Aspartame is a low-calorie sweetener, which is around 200 times sweeter than sugar. It’s white and more like an odourless powder.
Ace-K is the other artificial sweetener that replaces sugar in the sugar-free version of Irn-Bru Energy drink. It’s an artificial sweetener with a bitter aftertaste.
For this reason, ace-K is blended with aspartame to mask the bitter aftertaste of this sweetener.
The blend of aspartame and ace-K is around 200 times sweeter than table sugar.
While artificial sweeteners are low-calorie alternatives to sugar, they can be harmful if you consume too much of them.
That’s why you should consume products with aspartame and Ace-K in moderation to stay on the safe side.
Does Irn-Bru Energy Drink Contain Too Much Caffeine?
Each 330ml serving Irn-Bru Energy drink contains around 120mg of caffeine.
It’s a moderate amount compared to the strongest energy drinks in the market.
If you consume caffeine moderately, it can provide you with a lot of benefits, such as:
- increasing alertness
- boosting weight loss
- improving sports performance
- enhancing brain function
- protecting against kidney stones
- boosting long-term memory
If you like to keep your daily caffeine consumption between 50mg to 150mg, Irn-Bru Energy drink can be a good option. This amount of caffeine can provide you with a nice boost while not giving you any jitters.
That said, if you end up consuming too many cans of Irn-Bru Energy drink, you might face some serious problems like:
- digestive issues
- muscle breakdown
- nausea
- anxiety
- insomnia
- fatigue
- high blood pressure
- addiction
- fast heartbeat
- frequent urination and urgency
That’s why you should limit yourself to one can of Irn-Bru Energy drink per day. Limiting your daily caffeine intake can also help you avoid side effects in the long run.
Taurine In Irn-Bru Energy Drink
Taurine is an amino acid that is crucial in several metabolic processes of our bodies. It has antioxidant properties and stimulates muscle performance.
Our bodies can produce taurine on their own. Taurine can also be found in fish, meat, dairy products, and human milk.
Taurine can also be taken as a supplement. Many athletes take taurine supplementation for muscle benefits.
Other benefits of taurine include:
- improving blood sugar control
- reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease
- increasing fat burning during exercises
- calming your central nervous system
Vitamins In A Can Of Irn-Bru Energy Drink
There are three types of B-vitamins in a can of Irn-Bru Energy drink. They are:
- Niacin (Vitamin B3)
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B12
Vitamin B3 is known to help you produce and repair your cells. It can also help your body to turn food into energy. Niacin also works as an antioxidant to protect your cells from harmful substances.
Vitamin B6 can be used to treat anaemia and boost your nerve functions. However, you shouldn’t consume too much Vitamin B6. Otherwise, it can cause health issues like nausea and nerve damage.
Each serving of Irn-Bru Energy has around 0.75mg of vitamin B12. This vitamin is known to keep your body’s nerves and blood cells healthy. It can also protect you against anaemia.
What’s Quinine In Irn-Bru Energy Drink?
Quinine is an ingredient of Irn-Bru Energy drink that originates from the bark of the chinchona tree. It’s more like a flavour enhancer in this energy drink.
There are claims that quinine can treat malaria and other infections, but these studies exposed those statements.
In some instances, quinine can also trigger some negative effects like:
- Impaired vision
- Diarrhea
- Hearing loss
- Vomiting
- Confusion
That being said, quinine doesn’t seem to be a major ingredient in Irn-Bru Energy drinks. So, its amount shouldn’t be enough to cause these health problems.
Is Irn-Bru Energy Drink Bad For You?
Irn-Bru Energy drink shouldn’t be bad for you if you consume it in moderation. Irn-Bru Energy drink has a moderate amount of caffeine and a pretty high amount of sugar.
If you consume Irn-Bru Energy drink every day, you may face some problems related to its sugar content. Weight gain, depression, high blood pressure are some of those problems.
If you consume too many cans of Irn-Bru Energy drink in a day, you may also experience the side effects of caffeine overdose. The side effects are:
- very fast heartbeat
- shakiness
- vomiting
- confusion
- panic attack
According to the EFSA, you should consume less than 400mg of caffeine per day to avoid the side effects.
What Are The Flavours Of Irn-Bru Energy Drink?
There’s only one flavour of Irn-Bru Energy drink. But, there are two versions of the energy drink: regular and sugar-free.
If you’re trying to lose weight or cut back on sugar consumption, you should go for the sugar-free version of Irn-Bru Energy drink.
On the other hand, if you want the iconic sugary flavour of Irn-Bru Energy drink, you can opt for the regular version of Irn-Bru Energy drink.
Here’s a review of Irn-Bru Energy for you to check out!
How much caffeine is in 500ml of Irn Bru Energy?
An Irn-Bru Energy 500ml can contain approximately 80mg of caffeine. It’s worth mentioning that this is an average value, and variations may exist based on regional differences and product formulations. When considering the caffeine content, it’s essential to be mindful of your personal caffeine sensitivity and consumption.
Caffeine affects individuals differently, and some people may be more sensitive to its effects than others. It’s generally recommended to moderate your caffeine intake and stay within the recommended daily limit, which is typically around 400mg for most healthy adults.
Is Irn Bru coffee stronger than Nescafe?
Irn-Bru contains more caffeine than NesCafe. Irn-Bru and Nescafe are different beverages, with Irn-Bru being a carbonated energy soft drink and Nescafe being an instant coffee brand. As such, it’s not appropriate to directly compare their strengths, but Irn-Bru still has some more caffeine.
When it comes to caffeine content, a typical cup of Nescafe instant coffee contains around 60-80mg of caffeine per 8-ounce serving. On the other hand, Irn-Bru Energy, which is a variation of the original Irn-Bru, may contain higher levels of caffeine, with a 500ml can having approximately 80mg of caffeine.
Does Irn Bru have alcohol in it?
Irn-Bru, including Irn-Bru Energy, is a non-alcoholic soft drink. It does not contain alcohol as one of its ingredients. Irn-Bru is known for its distinctive sweet and fruity flavor, but it is entirely alcohol-free and safe for all ages to consume.
While Irn-Bru itself does not contain alcohol, there have been variations and limited-edition releases of alcoholic Irn-Bru-inspired beverages, but these are not the same as the traditional non-alcoholic Irn-Bru that is widely available. It’s important to check product labels and descriptions to ensure you’re selecting the non-alcoholic version if that’s what you prefer.
Where Can You Buy Irn-Bru Energy Drink?
If you live in the UK, you can buy Irn-Bru Energy drink from the nearest physical stores. You can also buy Irn-Bru Energy drink from online stores to save time and money. You can check these online stores:
Each can of Irn-Bru Energy drinks cost around £1, which is a pretty reasonable price. If you do some research, you can also find great deals that can save you a lot of money and deliver you for free.
Alternatives To Irn-Bru Energy Drink
If you want to explore other energy drink brands, you can try these:
Key Takeaways
Overall, Irn-Bru Energy is a great-tasting energy drink with a decent amount of caffeine. Its sugar content is a bit high, so it’s not really good for regular consumption.
If you don’t want to add any sugar to your diet, you should try the sugar-free variant of the energy drink.
That said, caffeine in excess amount can be detrimental to your health. That’s why you should restrict yourself to one serving of Irn-Bru Energy drink per day.
This way, you can enjoy Irn-Bru Energy drink while keeping the side effects at bay.