In 1975, Krating Daeng was created for the first time. It contains water, cane sugar, caffeine, taurine, inositol, and B vitamins as its main ingredients.
It was first launched in Thailand in 1976 as a source of refreshment for Thai farmworkers.
While you may be aware of the famous Red Bull Energy Drink, did you know it was inspired by a Thai drink called Krating Daeng, which means “Red Bull“?
Here are some facts about Krating Daeng to get you started if you ever find yourself in Thailand and want to drink the local Red Bull.
In a nutshell, a regular 150ml/5fz oz portion of Krating Daeng contains 120 calories, 25.7g of sugar, and 50mg of caffeine and additional nutrients, including inositol choline and B-Vitamins.
Keep reading for a more detailed explanation on these ingredients.
Page Contents
Nutrition Facts of Krating Daeng Energy Drink
Let’s first take a look at the nutritional facts of Krating Daeng.
| Nutrients | per 100 ml | per serving |
| Energy | 406kJ/86kcal | 609kJ/129kcal |
| Fat | 0g | 0g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g | 0g |
| Carbohydrates | 23g | 35g |
| Sugar | 23g | 35g |
| Protein | 0.6g | 0.9g |
| Salt | 0.0003g | 0.005g |
Ingredients of Krating Daeng Energy Drink
When Krating Daeng was initially introduced to the market in 1976 as a refreshment for Thai workers, caffeine, taurine, and B-vitamins were the main ingredients. Each 250ml bottle contains the following components:
- Taurine in the amount of 1000 mg
- D-glucuronolactone 400 mg
- Caffeine
- Lysine
- Bitartrate of Choline
- Inositol
- Citric Acid
- Sodium benzoate (Preservatives)
How Much Caffeine Does Krating Daeng Energy Drink Have?
Krating Daeng contains 32mg caffeine per 150ml bottle, which includes 33% less caffeine than Red Bull by volume, while Red Bull contains 80mg of caffeine per 250ml bottle. Krating Daeng also has Taurine, Glucose, and B Vitamins as one of the main ingredients.
According to recent recommendations, caffeine consumption for healthy adults should be limited to a moderate amount of no more than 400.0 mg/day or 5.7 mg/kg (22). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Thailand, based on the 1979 Food Act, requires caffeinated items, particularly beverages, to adhere to the general food code.
Exceeding the suggested limit of the FDA may result in notable side effects such as:
- Heart Palpitations
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Headaches
- Stomachaches
- Dizziness
- Dehydration
- Anxiety
Given that a bottle of Krating Daeng only contains 32mg of caffeine, you’d be hard-pressed to exceed the caffeine limit even if you tried.
As a result, you should only be concerned with your overall caffeine intake for the day, which means keeping caffeinated beverages to a bare minimum.
How Much Sugar Does Krating Daeng Energy Drink Have?
Krating Daeng has a relatively reasonable amount of sugar (for a sugary energy drink) at 28g, which is still high but not excessive.
According to the American Heart Association or AHA, your daily sugar intake should be no more than 25g for women and 36g for men. In comparison, the NHS in the United Kingdom recommends a daily added sugar limit of 30g for adults in general.
As a result, a 5 fl. oz bottle of Krating Daeng with 28g of sugar is relatively high to consume regularly. However, it is still within a reasonable amount.
That’s not to say you can’t indulge in a small sugar binge every now and then; sugar is delicious, and it also provides a minor mood boost due to the increase in dopamine levels.
However, when you consume a diet that is consistently high in sugar, you risk developing health problems, with notable examples including:
- Gaining Weight
- Diabetes Type II
- Heart disease
- Acne
- Depression risk
Consuming an excessive amount of sugar in a short time may result in a sugar crash. You don’t want your energy levels to drop immediately after finishing an energy drink.
Artificial Sweeteners in Krating Daeng Energy Drink
A recent study has linked the artificial sweeteners Aspartame, Acesulfame K, and Sucralose, which are found in Krating Daeng, to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
In the case of Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium, you can rest assured that the only thing you’re getting out of them is a sweet taste and no unnecessary extra calories.
However, the long-term effects of artificial sweeteners are still unknown, so it’s best to limit your use to a few teaspoons a day.
Other than that, Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium are approved by the FDA and other health agencies around the globe.
It’s OK to have Krating Daeng once in a while if you don’t consume an excessive amount of artificial sweeteners in your diet.
How Many Calories Does Krating Daeng Energy Drink Have?
Each five fluid ounce serving of Krating Daeng contains approximately 120 calories, which is a significant amount of calories given the size of the bottle.
In comparison, a standard 8.4 oz can of Austrian Red Bull contains 110 calories, implying that Krating Daeng contains slightly more calories per fl. oz.
Because you only need about 2000 to 2500 calories per day (depending on biological factors and lifestyle choices), a serving of Krating Daeng provides some energy to your body without excessive.
However, things change when you consume more than one serving of Krating Daeng, as all of the small individual calories eventually add up and affect you.
Taurine in Krating Daeng Energy Drink
Both Red Bull and Krating Daeng have Taurine as an ingredient, as do most energy drinks.
Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid, which means it’s a type of chemical. It is found in the human body and conducts a variety of functions.
The brain, retina, heart, and platelets all contain a lot of taurines (blood cells). The most refined dietary sources include meat, fish, and eggs.
Warning: While the Taurine in International Red Bull comes entirely from synthetic sources, I couldn’t figure out where Krating Daeng gets its Taurine.
As a result, the Taurine in Krating Daeng may or may not be vegan-friendly, so if you need to know what goes exactly into your energy drink, you might want to skip it.
The following are some of the Taurine’s potential advantages:
- Maintaining a healthy metabolism
- Increasing exercise efficiency
- Keeping the muscles healthy
However, take these assertions with a grain of salt. The benefits of consuming Taurine in your diet are yet to be proven by science.
Lysine in Krating Daeng Energy Drink
A 150ml bottle of Krating Daeng contains 50mg of L-lysine.
To build proteins in the body, lysine must be present. It may also stop the growth of the herpes virus.
Lysine is usually used to treat cold sores.
Citric Acid in Krating Daeng Energy Drink
A typical ingredient in most energy drinks is citric acid, which is listed in high concentrations. As a preservative and flavor enhancer, citric acid also has a detrimental effect on your teeth.
Citric acid, on the other hand, reaches the teeth directly and damages the enamel. Cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay are common repercussions of damaged or thin enamel.
Krating Daeng cannot confirm how much citric acid is in the beverage. You should only drink this once every other day to avoid damaging your teeth.
How Many Krating Daeng Energy Drink Should You Consume in a Day?
Krating Daeng has lesser caffeine compared to Red Bull. But even so, I think one bottle of Krating Daeng is enough to boost up your energy levels.
We talked previously about the side effects of overconsuming most of the ingredients we have in Krating Daeng.
So always keep in mind that balance is the key. Being mindful of your intake from caffeine to calories is a really good call to keep your health right on track!
Should You Drink Krating Daeng Energy Drink Every Day?
I don’t recommend consuming the original Krating Daeng regularly due to its high sugar content.
As a daily energy source, you may want to consider the sugar-free version instead of the regular one, which has a sugar content of 35g.
Even if you prefer sugar-free alternatives, you should remember to drink them in moderation. Also, follow a diet and lifestyle that is both well-balanced and nutrient-dense.
Krating Daeng Energy Drink Alternatives
If Krating Daeng isn’t to your taste, here are some hand-picked recommendations:
The Final Say
For Red Bull fans, Krating Daeng is a must-try product! This Red Bull from Thailand is the original Red Bull.
If you want a lesser dose of caffeine, then this is the perfect beverage for you. The product was reformulated for the Western market based on the popularity and effectiveness of Krating Daeng, and the result is the Red Bull you see today. This Thai Red Bull is similar to a concentrated, non-carbonated variant of Western Red Bull.