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Is NOS Energy Drink Bad For You? (The Truth)

Let’s find out if NOS is good or bad for your body!

Before diving straight into the question, let me share some background information about NOS energy drinks.

NOS Energy Drink is available in 16 and 24 fl. oz sizes.

The drink was first sold in a container that resembled the NOS (Nitrous Oxide Systems) tank, where it got its name, although this type of bottled packaging has long been discontinued.

Now, to answer the question, NOS isn’t all that bad for your health if you drink it responsibly. If there’s anything you need to watch out for, it’s the caffeine and sugar content level in your preferred energy drink, so you can gauge if it’s something you can consume safely.

Now that you know what to look out for, let’s discuss it in detail.

Keep reading for more information about your favorite NOS Energy Drink!

How much NOS Energy Drink is too much?

How much NOS Energy Drink is too much as advised by official health sources is more than two cans. However, this does not mean that drinking one to two cans is tolerable and healthy for your well-being. Limited consumption is still advised.

Multiple studies have concluded that no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is safe for an adult human being to take without risking a variety of negative consequences. Based on this information, it is recommended that you consume no more than two cans of energy drink every week.

Is NOS a strong energy drink?

NOS is a strong energy drink. NOS Energy Drink has 160 mg caffeine per 16 oz.
NOS Energy drink’s 210 calories come from 54 grams of sugar. The caffeine will give you a burst of energy, but the sugar will tire you out.

Moderation in the consumption of NOS Energy drinks is recommended for optimal health. If you try NOS Energy, you can anticipate experiencing an increase in energy that, depending on how sensitive your body is to caffeine, will last anywhere from two to three hours.

What Are the Ingredients in NOS?

Check out the calorie and sugar levels in NOS!

Below is a list of the most important ingredients in NOS that I believe you should be aware of.

  • Carbonated Water
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup– this is a type of artificial sweetener derived from concentrated corn syrup
  • Citric Acid
  • Sodium Citrate
  • Sodium Hexametaphosphate (preservative)
  • Natural Flavors– NOS uses both natural and artificial flavoring in all 6 of its variants
  • Gum Arabic
  • Potassium Sorbate (preservative)
  • Ester Gum
  • Sucralose– this is another type of artificial sweetener with zero calories
  • Yellow 5
  • Inositol
  • Calcium Disodium EDTA (preservative)
  • Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vit. B6)
  • Yellow 6
  • Guarana Extract
  • Cyanocobalamin (Vit. B12)

The following is directly taken from the NOS nutrition facts label. I organized the data into a clear table to make it easier for you to read.

Amount per servingPer 8 fl. ozPer 16 fl. oz
Total Fat0 grams0 grams
Calories100 grams210 grams
Total Carb27 grams54 grams
Sodium200 mg410 mg
Protein0 grams0 grams
Sugars27 grams54 grams
Vitamin B6100 % DV100 % DV
Vitamin B 12100 % DV100 % DV
Nutrition Facts of NOS Energy Drink.

What Are the Bad Ingredients in NOS?

Sucralose and high fructose corn syrup are regarded as undesirable ingredients in NOS.

Sucralose is 400–700 times sweeter than sugar, but, unlike many other common sweeteners, does not have a bitter aftertaste.

Meanwhile, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is an artificial sugar made from corn syrup.

Research suggests that fructose can increase liver fat to a greater extent than equal amounts of glucose, one of the few disadvantages of HFCS.

It’s safe to say artificial sweeteners are complicated, although the FDA still considers them to be safe for general use.

As long as you don’t drink beverages with added sweeteners on a daily basis, you’ll be fine.

Caffeine Content of NOS

Caffeine is one of the most common stimulants found in energy drinks.

The caffeine content in a 16-ounce can of NOS energy drink is 160 mg. In contrast to the other energy drinks on the market, the caffeine level of NOS is medium to strong.

To compare, a can of Red Bull contains 80 mg of caffeine. On the other hand, there are energy drinks with much higher caffeine levels on the market, like Reign and Bang, containing 300 mg of caffeine per can.

The level of caffeine in one can of NOS is still well below the FDA‘s prescribed daily caffeine limit of 400 mg, but it’s also a high enough amount, especially if you’re still building your caffeine tolerance.

Take note that you might be consuming other beverages that may have caffeine, like coffee and tea in a day, so the daily caffeine recommendation of 400 mg makes sense. NOS’s 160 mg of caffeine isn’t too bad in comparison. But by keeping this limit in mind, you can diversify your diet and carefully pick out what else you can consume healthily.

However, I’d also like to point out that your caffeine intake is entirely dependent on your caffeine tolerance, age, gender, and other factors. If you’re a first-time caffeine drinker, I suggest you take it easy and don’t go above 160 mg of caffeine.

Personally, I prefer to take my caffeine around 150 mg or less, although I can comfortably tolerate 300 mg if it’s spread out through the day.

Keep in mind that when you consume too much caffeine, you develop a high risk of experiencing the following moderate symptoms:

  • headache
  • fever
  • irritability
  • dizziness
  • diarrhea
  • increased thirst
  • insomnia

Here are some of the most severe signs that need to be addressed right away:

  • chest pain
  • irregular or fast heartbeat
  • uncontrollable muscle movements
  • convulsions
  • troubled breathing
  • vomiting
  • hallucinations
  • confusion

How many cans of NOS can you drink in a day?

Different flavors of NOS Energy Drinks.
NOS is available in a variety of flavors. Take your pick!

I suggest that you only consume one can a day because the number of calories and sugar in NOS energy drinks are moderate to high.

Although the caffeine content in NOS is reasonably normal, the amount of sugar in NOS isn’t. The sugar level is high enough that it has become a concern among avid drinkers.

One can of NOS currently meets the American Heart Association‘s prescribed daily sugar cap. Drinking two cans in one day is a bad idea as it increases the risk of serious health complications.

Given the high sugar content, NOS has a lot of calories

High-calorie intake may be a problem, especially if you have a desk job and don’t practice an active lifestyle to help burn off those calories.

Your main takeaway here is that consuming NOS energy drinks in moderation is the only way to enjoy them.

If you really need a caffeine boost, limit yourself to 1–2 cans of NOS per day and then regulate your food and beverage intake for the rest of the day. Remember the daily recommended limit of sugar and caffeine and stay within those bounds to avoid health complications later.

Is NOS bad for your liver?

As long as consumed moderately, NOS does not affect the organs in your body.

If consumed in large amounts, energy drinks like NOS can be harmful to the liver.

New research reveals the link between energy drinks and acute liver injury as well as hepatitis.

Caffeine, particularly when combined with alcohol, is toxic to the liver.

When caffeine reaches the body, enzymes are released by the liver to help the chemical be metabolized before it enters the bloodstream.

This process impairs sugar level absorption in the liver, lowering the glycogen stores in it and leaving you exhausted.

So when consumed excessively, energy drinks can be counterproductive to your performance and may even cause damage to your liver.

Does NOS have bad effects on your brain?

Energy drinks can enhance mental focus and performance.

Energy drinks like NOS, in general, affect the brain by improving focus and concentration. However, I think it’s a stretch to suggest that energy drinks can result in serious brain damage.

In my opinion, NOS energy drink isn’t bad for the brain when consumed sparingly. There have been no studies that hint at energy drinks negatively affecting brain function, except for enhancing alertness and mental sharpness.

Caffeine aids concentration and keeps you awake and alert when doing activities or working out. This is why people consume energy drinks to get a quick boost that could last for hours.

As a result, a can of NOS would certainly energize you and improve your focus.

Who should NOT drink NOS Energy Drink?

Pregnant women are advised against consuming NOS Energy Drink.

NOS energy drinks should not be consumed by children under the age of 18, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, or caffeine-sensitive individuals.

This is attributed largely to the caffeine content of each NOS can. Caffeine can disrupt children’s development, causing sleep disruption and anxiety.

Additionally, caffeine’s unfavorable impact on lactating mothers can be passed on to their newborn. People with poor caffeine tolerance, on the other hand, can become ill from just drinking a caffeine-infused beverage.

Apart from the previously stated warnings, you shouldn’t drink NOS right before going to bed or if you’re ill.

To avoid any health risks, read all of the nutrition details and supplement information on the back of the can before drinking.

Is NOS Energy Drink good for you?

NOS is good for you if you are an athlete or you are a gym person. Given its high sugar and calorie content, NOS provides a powerful energy boost and improves performance when you need it the most.

When consumed in moderation, the right combination of caffeine and sugar can be helpful, particularly in terms of maintaining your energy and keeping you awake for extended periods.

NOS is just as strong as energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster, so you can drink it if you need to pull an all-nighter or need some extra energy for your workouts.

The high sugar level, on the other hand, should preferably be avoided from a health standpoint. Remember to limit your consumption of other sweetened beverages after finishing a can of NOS.

NOS Energy Drink Flavors

NOS is available in a variety of six flavors. All flavors are packed with B-Vitamins, taurine, and L-Theanine, which are three of the key ingredients in NOS.

  • Sonic Sour
  • Power Punch
  • Turbo
  • Original
  • GT Grape
  • Nitro Mango

If you want to learn more about the effects and risks associated with consuming energy drinks, watch this clip.

Learn more about your favorite energy drinks in this short video.

Is NOS a safe energy drink?

NOS Energy is generally a safe energy drink. However, NOS also includes additional ingredients like vitamins and amino acids in addition to ingredients typically found in energy drinks, such as caffeine and sugar. Responsible consumption is the key to determining its safety.

It’s important to remember that people who are sensitive to caffeine, have underlying medical conditions, are pregnant, or are nursing may be more likely to experience negative effects from consuming NOS energy drink. Additionally, NOS shouldn’t be combined with alcohol or used in place of adequate hydration.

How long do NOS energy drinks last?

The immediate effects of consuming NOS, such as increased alertness and energy, may be felt within 15 to 30 minutes after consumption and can last for several hours. NOS contains a significant amount of caffeine, which is a stimulant that can have varying effects on individuals.

However, it’s important to recognize that the energizing effects of NOS are temporary, and the duration can vary among individuals. After the initial spike in energy, individuals may experience an energy crash as the effects of caffeine wear off.

Can NOS Energy Drink kill you?

I don’t believe that NOS poses life-threatening risks, but excessive drinking of NOS or other energy drinks for that matter is unhealthy, it could deteriorate your overall well-being.

If you’ve never had an energy drink before, I’d recommend you to take a careful look at this drink and its ingredients. Pay close attention to the possible warnings and heed them.

Simply put, NOS energy drink is not life-threatening unless you drink too much of it to the point where you exceed the recommended limit which consequently compromises your organs.

Final Word

Drinking NOS Energy Drink every now and then or limiting it to one can every day isn’t harmful to your health.

Caffeine overdose and other caffeine-related conditions can be dangerous to your general wellbeing if you consume different energy drinks like NOS excessively.

Excessive energy drink intake can also pose harm to your liver, heart, and other organs.

In my opinion, energy drinks, in general, are not that bad if consumed within reason.

These drinks are made to provide you with a sustained energy boost, although they can be counterproductive if consumed in excess.

So, the safest advice here is to consume NOS or any other energy drink in moderation to prevent experiencing its negative effects.

All in all, NOS is a great choice and one of the most effective energy drinks out there.

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