Irn-Bru Energy Drink is a UK energy drink that’s manufactured by AG Barr.
Irn Bru energy is uniquely designed to meet the needs of individuals’ busy lives.
It has 120mg of caffeine and 36g of sugar that’s enough to give you a significant boost of energy throughout your busy day.
If you’re thinking about how it’s designed for a person with a busy life, I’ll make an in-depth analysis of the nutrition facts and ingredients of Irn Bru to determine the reason why.
Let’s start.
Page Contents
Irn-Bru Energy Nutrition Information
Every 330ml can of Irn Bru Energy contains the following nutrients:
| Nutrients | Per 330ml Serving (Irn-Bru Original) |
|---|---|
| Energy | 153 calories |
| Carbohydrates (of which sugar) | 36g (36g) |
| Salt | 0.25g |
| Caffeine | 120mg |
| Niacin | 15.84mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.386mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.475mcg |
| Protein | 0g |
Why Are Nutritional Information Important?
Nutritional Information or Nutrition labels will help you in choosing products, and you can look after the number of foods you’re consuming if it is high in salt, fat, and sugar.
Nutrition labels are mostly printed on the backside of the packaging.
The labels usually include information such as:
- Energy
- Fat
- Saturates
- Carbohydrates
- Sugars
- Protein
- Salt
For energy drinks, you should always consider looking at the nutrition facts for you to know if the drink is suitable for your health and needs.
The typical ingredients of an energy drink you need to assess before buying are caffeine, sugar, and calories.
If you’re vegan, might as well check the label and certification of the brand being vegan before consuming any energy drink.
Irn-Bru Energy Ingredients
Below are the ingredients lists of Irn-Bru Energy Original and Sugar-free.
Original
- Carbonated Water
- Calories
- Caffeine
- Carbohydrates
- Sugar
- Salt
- Niacin
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B12
- Preservative E211
- Taurine
- Quinine
- Ammonium Ferric Citrate
- Colours: Sunset Yellow FCF, Ponceau 4R
Sugar-Free
- Carbonated Water
- Calories
- Caffeine
- Carbohydrates
- Aspartame
- Acesulfame Potassium
- Salt
- Niacin
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B12
- Preservative E211
- Taurine
- Quinine
- Ammonium Ferric Citrate
- Colours: Sunset Yellow FCF, Ponceau 4R
Irn-Bru Caffeine Content
Irn-Bru Energy has 120mg of caffeine in every 330ml can.
The amount of caffeine in Irn-Bru Energy is reasonable compared to other energy drinks.
It’s still within the suggested recommended daily intake of caffeine according to The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which is 400mg per day.
Caffeine, on the other hand, if taken in moderation, has excellent health, benefits including:
- Improves memory
- Reduces fatigue
- Enhances mental functioning
- Speeds up reaction time
However, among the common problems with caffeine is caffeine dependency.
Here are the common symptoms of caffeine dependency:
- Dizziness
- Feeling shaky
- Headache
- Increased blood pressure
- Nervousness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Sleep issues
Irn-Bru Sugar Content
Irn-Bru Original contains 36g of sugar.
The sugar content of Irn-Bru Energy is 6g higher than the NHS guidelines maximum recommended sugar intake, which is 30g per day.
Excessive sugar intake may lead to serious health problems. If you don’t know if you’re consuming too much sugar, you must watch out for the following signs and symptoms:
- Increased hunger
- Weight gain
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Low energy
- Cravings for sweets
- Increased blood pressure
- Acne and wrinkles
- Joint pain
- Sleep issues
- Digestive issues
- Cavities
If you want a healthier alternative and not worry about your sugar intake, you can try Irn-Bru’s no-sugar version.
Irn-Bru Energy Artificial Sweeteners
Irn-Bru Energy No-Sugar contains aspartame and acesulfame potassium as an alternative to sugar.
Artificial sweeteners are EFSA approved for general use.
They’re used to have a sweet taste in food as a replacement for table sugar.
Aspartame
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that’s 200 times sweeter than sugar.
Here are the benefits of using aspartame.
- Sweetness lasts longer than sucrose
- Zero-carbohydrates
- Can use in tiny amount
Although aspartame is approved for general use and has benefits, it still has its downside.
Since aspartame doesn’t excrete and remain in the same form upon intake, it’s not recommended for people with phenylketonuria.
Acesulfame Potassium
Acesulfame Potassium (Ace K) is an artificial sweetener 200 times sweeter than sugar and has zero calories.
Unlike aspartame, Ace K isn’t metabolized in the body and is excreted through urination.
It’s commonly used in food and beverage such as:
- Candies
- Baked goods
- Frozen desserts
- Dessert mixes
- Tabletop sweeteners
Taurine In Irn-Bru Energy
Irn-Bru contains taurine.
Taurine is an amino acid that has antioxidant properties and can boosts muscle performance.
It can also be produced by your body on its own and can be found in:
- Fish
- Meat
- Dairy products
- Breastmilk
Taurine also has several benefits such as:
- Regulates blood sugar
- Reduces the risk of heart disease
- Boosts fat burning during exercise
- Relaxes the central nervous system
Quinine In Irn-Bru Energy
Quinine is an element that’s derived from the bark of the cinchona tree, commonly found in South America, Central America, Caribbean islands, and Western Africa.
Quinine can also be found in tonic water and is safe for consumption.
However, there are several side effects of quinine, such as:
- Nausea
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nervousness
B-Vitamins In Irn-Bru Energy
There are 3 B-Vitamins in a can of Irn-Bru Energy, which are Niacin, Vitamin B6, and vitamin B12.
The table below shows Irn-Bru Energy’s amount and the Safe Upper Levels (SUL) and Guidance Levels (GL) of B-Vitamins in-Bru energy.
| B-Vitamins | Irn-Bru Energy (Per 330ml Serving) | Safe Upper Levels (SUL)/ Guidance Levels (GL) |
|---|---|---|
| Niacin | 15.84mg | 40mg (GL) |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.386mg | 10mg (SUL) |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.475mcg | 2000mcg (GL) |
The Safe Upper Level (SUL) and Guidance Levels (GL) are set by the Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals (the EVM).
These are the doses of vitamins and minerals that individuals can take on a daily and lifetime basis without medical supervision.
Therefore, you can be energized and at the same time, be nourished whenever you drink Irn-Bru Energy. Its vitamins are safe to consume due to their enough amount and have a lot of benefits to offer.
Why is it called Irn-Bru?
Initially intended to be called Iron Brew, Barr’s encountered a hurdle with branding regulations as the beverage wasn’t brewed. Consequently, they had to modify the name, leading to the birth of Irn-Bru. The trademark for Irn-Bru was officially registered on July 18th, 1946.
Irn-Bru gained immense popularity in Scotland and became known for its unique flavor, often described as both sweet and slightly tangy.
Does Irn-Bru Energy Actually Work?
Irn-Bru energy works by giving you an energy boost on your tough day. With its 120mg caffeine content, Irn-Bru Energy can give you the boost and energy you need through your challenging task.
It also has taurine when combined with caffeine, which can enhance mental performance, perfect for your busy days with rigorous activities to function more effectively and efficiently.
Furthermore, Irn-Bru energy has B-Vitamins that help in the conversion of nutrients into energy that you’ll need to get to keep you going throughout the tasks.
How Long Does Irn-Bru Energy Last?
Irn-Bru Energy’s main ingredient is caffeine, which will take effect 10 minutes after you consume and will last until a maximum of 12 hours.
When caffeine enters the bloodstream after 10 minutes of drinking Irn-Bru Energy, your heart rate and blood pressure will increase.
After 15-45 minutes, when caffeine reaches its peak level in the bloodstream, you’ll then feel an increase in your alertness and focus.
In the next 5-6 hours, your body will reach the reduction of caffeine level into 50% in your bloodstream.
Also, it’s called the half-life. After 12 hours, which is the maximum time, your body will be entirely out of caffeine.
How Many Cans Of Irn-Bru Energy Can You Drink In A Day?
You can drink no more than one can of Irn-Bru Energy No-Sugar and limit of one can a day for the Irn-Bru Energy Original.
If you consider the amount of caffeine, you can go for not more than two cans of Irn-Bru Energy No-sugar per day.
But when it comes to the original version, since the sugar content is high, you must limit yourself to one can because you already reach the maximum daily sugar intake.
Flavours Of Irn-Bru Energy
Irn-Bru Energy has only one flavour, but there are two versions, the original and the no sugar.
If you want to cut down on your sugar consumption, you can drink Irn-Bru Energy No-Sugar.
However, if you’re a healthy adult and want to stick to the iconic taste of Irn-Bru, you can dink the Original version.
Why is Irn-Bru banned in some countries?
Irn-Bru is not banned in any country. However, it has faced certain restrictions in some regions due to regulations on certain food additives, such as the colorings used to achieve its distinctive orange hue.
In some countries, limitations on specific additives have led to modified formulations of Irn-Bru being produced to comply with local regulations.
Alternatives To Irn-Bru Energy
If you want to try other brands of energy drinks, here are some that you can consider:
Final Thoughts
Irn Bru Energy is an excellent energy drink when it comes to taste since it retains the iconic taste of the Irn-Bru Soft drinks and takes it to the next level by creating an energy drink.
The caffeine content of Irn-Bru Energy is sufficient to get you the boost of energy in every tough and busy day you have.
On the other hand, the sugar content is relatively high for regular consumption. But there’s a no-sugar version if you’re bothered by the sugar content of the original one.
So it would be best if you always kept your intake in moderation to avoid any severe health conditions.