A standard can of NOS Energy Drink contains 160 mg of caffeine, 54 grams of sugar, and 160 calories, and a high dose of vitamins.
The thing is, not all energy drinks are formulated the same.
Energy drinks have different amounts of caffeine and varying formulation, which can help determine how effective it can be.
Looking into the caffeine content of an energy drink lets you know how big of an energy boost you can expect from consuming it. Additionally, reviewing its ingredients informs you of the health benefits you can get from drinking it.
In this article, I will assess the caffeine content and nutritional information of the energy drink brand NOS.
NOS is a medium-to-strong energy drink that is very popular among car and racing enthusiasts. It has reasonable amounts of caffeine and is packed with various supplements.
Let’s take a closer look at the nutrition label of NOS Energy Drink.
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NOS Energy Drink Nutrition Facts
The most basic information about an energy drink can be found in its nutritional information label.
Per FDA guidelines, food and beverage manufacturers are required to label the packaging of their products with nutritional information to help consumers in making an informed decision when buying products.
For your reference, I have provided the full table of the nutritional information of NOS Energy Drink.
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
| Calories | 210 |
| Total Fat | 0 |
| Sodium | 250 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 53 g |
| Sugar | 50 g |
| Protein | 0 |
| Niacin (Vitamin B3) | 250% |
| Vitamin B6 | 250% |
| Vitamin B12 | 400% |
| Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) | 200% |
To start our assessment, we’ll begin with the calorie content of NOS.
Calories
NOS contains 160 calories per regular serving which is considered moderate relative to other energy drink brands.
A calorie is the measure of energy you get from the food or beverages that you consume.
Some people strictly maintain their calorie intake to monitor their weight and diet. This is because excess calorie consumption will lead to unwanted weight gain.
Personally, I think the calorie content of NOS won’t cause any major impact on your diet. This is because according to the US Department of Health, adult males need approximately 2,500 calories per day and women need 2,000 calories per day to maintain a healthy weight.
With this amount in mind, I don’t think 160 calories will do much to disrupt your diet.
Sugar
NOS contains 53 grams of sugar, which exceeds the healthy limit of daily sugar intake for men and women.
The American Heart Association proposes the following daily intake of sugar:
- 24 grams of sugar per day for women
- 36 grams of sugar per day for men
That said, we can clearly conclude that NOS has an alarming amount of sugar that may pose danger to your health.
It’s more than twice the daily allotted sugar intake for women, increasing the risk of the following adverse effects:
- weight gain
- increased risk of heart disease
- acne
- increased risk of Type 2 diabetes
- increased risk of cancer
- increased risk of depression
- accelerated aging
- low energy levels
- causes fatty liver
As a solution, make sure to strictly limit your consumption of NOS to one can per day.
You can also opt for NOS Zero or its sugar-free version to avoid any of the health complications I just mentioned.
Vitamins
NOS Energy Drink is packed with a variety of B-Vitamins.
If the sugar content is quite a bummer for health-conscious consumers, its Vitamin B content makes up for it.
For better view, refer to this table:
| Types of B Vitamin | Name | Benefits |
| B1 | Thiamine | help in digesting fats |
| B2 | Riboflavin | fights free radicals |
| B3 | Niacin | good for skin health |
| B5 | Pantothenic Acid | increases energy and strengthens the immune system |
| B6 | Pyridoxine | promotes healthy metabolism |
| B7 | Biotin | good for metabolism, and promotes healthy skin, hair, nails |
| B9 | Folate | good for the nervous system |
| B12 | Cobalamin | aids production of red blood cells and nerve cells |
What are the Ingredients in NOS?
NOS is famous for its featured ingredient, “CMPLX 6,” which is a combination of very potent supplements and ingredients, namely: caffeine, B-Vitamins, taurine, and inositol.
Initially, L-Theanine, a type of essential amino acid, was part of the CMPLX 6 until it was changed to inositol.
For your reference, here is a detailed list of NOS’ ingredients:
- Carbonated Water
- High Fructose Corn Syrup – artificial sweetener derived from corn syrup
- Citric Acid
- Sodium Citrate
- Sodium Hexametaphosphate (Preservative)
- Natural Flavors
- Taurine
- Caffeine
- Gum Arabic
- Potassium Sorbate (Preservative)
- Ester Gum
- Sucralose- zero-calorie sugar substitute
- Yellow 5
- Inositol
- Calcium Disodium EDTA (Preservative)
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vit. B6)
- Yellow 6
- Guarana Extract
- Cyanocobalamin (Vit. B12)
Now onto the overview NOS Energy Drink’s notable ingredients!
Inositol
Inositol is a vitamin-like substance that can be found in animals as well as in fruits, beans, and nuts.
It is a great addition to the ingredients of NOS because it has many known health benefits such as:
- helps treat panic disorder
- improves symptoms of depression
- helps treat bipolar disorder
- helps treat symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome
- may prevent diabetes during pregnancy
- may help respiratory distress syndrome
High-Fructose Corn Syrup
High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is used to sweeten NOS Energy Drink. It is composed of 55% fructose and 45% glucose and is also considered as an added sugar.
HFCS is commonly used in food and beverages, particularly in the US.
There are research that shows a link between the consumption of HFCS and conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and weight gain. So, you better limit your consumption of anything that contains HFCS.
Sucralose
Sucralose is one of the two artificial sweeteners used in the formulation of NOS Energy Drink.
Sucralose is a zero-calorie artificial sweetener that is 400 to 700 times sweeter than sugar. It also has a bitter aftertaste, and for that reason, it is often blended with other artificial sweeteners such as acesulfame potassium and HFCS.
The good thing about this artificial sweetener is it doesn’t seem to have a major effect on your weight. But some studies claim that it may affect your metabolism.
Gum Arabic
Gum Arabic or acacia gum is used as a stabilizer, emulsifier, and thickening agent in foods and beverages. It is used in NOS Energy Drink to stabilize its flavor and bind the ingredients together.
It is a plant-derived ingredient and can be considered safe if you’re following a vegan diet. It is also gluten-free and is safe to consume in small amounts for people with gluten-related conditions.
In addition, Gum Arabic is also considered to be an all natural, GMO, and kosher ingredient.
Potassium Sorbate
Potassium sorbate is a chemical additive used in NOS Energy Drinks to stop molds and yeast to prolong the shelf life of this drink. It is an odorless and tasteless salt produced by combining sorbic acid and potassium hydroxide.
For reference, the European Food and Safety Authority set a temporarily acceptable intake of 3 mg per kg of body weight per day.
Some people may also have an allergic reaction to potassium sorbate in food and beverages but it’s very rare. Most potassium sorbate allergies are related to using cosmetic and personal care products.
Calcium Disodium EDTA
Calcium Disodium EDTA is used as a flavoring agent and preservative in NOS Energy Drink. It prevents spoilage and preserves the taste and flavor of beverages.
The US Food and Drug Administration considers Calcium Disodium EDTA safe to consume but has set limitations for safety use. The acceptable intake is 1.1 mg per pound of body weight per day.
Exceeding this limit or long-term use of this preservative can lead to decreased appetite and diarrhea. So, you better not overindulge to prevent these symptoms.
Guarana Seed Extract
Guarana is a plant native to Brazil with an extensive selection of stimulants and different antioxidants. It also contains caffeine which makes NOS a powerful energy drink.
Research suggests that guarana extract may help reduce fatigue and provide a quick energy boost and enhanced mental focus.
Guarana seed extract is indeed one of NOS’ powerful ingredients!
Does NOS have Caffeine?
NOS Energy Drink contains caffeine, exactly at 160 mg per regular 16 fl. oz.
Caffeine is one of the most basic ingredients in an energy drink as it boosts energy levels, fights fatigue, and improves alertness. However, keep in mind that the higher the caffeine levels, the greater the risk of experiencing the symptoms of caffeine overdose.
Caffeine overdose happens when there’s more caffeine in your system than your body can handle. Some of the symptoms of caffeine overdose are:
- dizziness
- diarrhea
- increased thirst
- insomnia
- headache
- fever
- irritability
Personally, I think the 160 mg of caffeine in NOS is just within the right range. I didn’t feel any jittery sensation or headache after drinking a can.
My suggestion here is to start slowly to gauge your caffeine sensitivity. This depends from person to person because factors such as weight, height, and age all affect caffeine tolerance.
There’s no way of knowing if you have high or low caffeine tolerance other than observing how your body reacts to various amounts of caffeine.
Just be careful and try minimal amounts first before increasing your consumption.
Does NOS have Taurine?
NOS Energy Drink contains taurine!
Taurine is an amino acid commonly found in fish, meat, and dairy. It is known to promote healthy metabolism and optimum brain health.
Aside from this, taurine also provides the following health benefits.
- helps fight diabetes
- improves heart health
- enhances exercise performance
- improves eyesight
However, it is hard to tell how much taurine is in NOS exactly. So, I’m not really sure if you can really obtain its benefits.
Is NOS an energy drink?
NOS is an energy drink. NOS Energy Drinks contain caffeine, taurine, and B-vitamins, which can provide a temporary boost in energy, focus, and endurance. Energy drinks like NOS are marketed to athletes, students, and other consumers who need an extra boost to help them get through their day or workout.
These ingredients are marketed to provide a temporary boost in energy, focus, and endurance, making NOS an energy drink that is appealing to athletes, students, and other consumers who need an extra boost to help them get through their day or workout.
How strong is NOS Energy Drink?
NOS Energy is a strong drink. A typical 8 fl. oz can of NOS Energy Drink contains about 100 mg of caffeine. This is similar to the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee but higher than the amount found in many other popular energy drinks.
It’s important to keep in mind that the strength of NOS Energy Drink can also be affected by the presence of other ingredients, such as taurine and B-vitamins, which can enhance the effects of caffeine. The impact ofthe drink depends on an individual’s tolerance to caffeine and other ingredients.
Is NOS a pre-workout?
NOS is primarily known as an energy drink and is not specifically marketed as a pre-workout supplement. It is formulated to provide a temporary boost in energy and mental alertness through the inclusion of caffeine, taurine, and other ingredients commonly found in energy drinks.
While NOS may contain ingredients similar to those found in some pre-workout supplements, its formulation is not specifically tailored to enhance physical performance during workouts. Pre-workout supplements often include specific ingredients like creatine, beta-alanine, and nitric oxide boosters to support muscle endurance, strength, and blood flow during exercise.
Is NOS good for you?
NOS Energy Drinks are generally safe to drink. However, the safety and health effects of NOS energy drinks can vary depending on individual factors, including overall health, caffeine sensitivity, and consumption patterns. NOS contains caffeine and other stimulants that can provide a temporary energy boost
It’s essential to use NOS or any energy drink responsibly, following the recommended serving size, and considering individual health factors. Moderation and a balanced diet are key to avoiding potential adverse effects and promoting overall well-being.
Is NOS Energy Drink Bad For You?
NOS Energy Drink is not bad for you as long as you limit your intake to one can per day.
However, if you have existing medical conditions such as diabetes, it’s not a good idea for you to consume NOS because of its high sugar levels.
I suggest you look for NOS Zero, its sugar-free version if you really want to try this drink. You can also try other healthier beverages that could help elevate your energy levels.
For instance, you could try tea which also contains caffeine that helps keep you alert and focused.
NOS Energy Drink Flavors
NOS Energy Drink has five different flavors, namely:
- Nitro Mango
- GT Grape
- Sonic Sour
- Power Punch
- Turbo
All flavors contain 160 mg of caffeine and are also available in 24 fl. oz. servings.
Personally, I go for the GT Grape. I love anything grape-flavored and fruity, so this refreshing energy drink was right up my alley. Aside from that, I always look for NOS Zero or the sugar-free version of NOS.
As you now know, NOS has a tremendous amount of sugar that exceeds the healthy recommended limit.
Excess sugar consumption is bad for the health, so I opted to try the zero-sugar version of NOS to enjoy its benefits guilt-free!
Check out this cool video if you want to learn more about the different NOS Energy Drink flavors.
NOS Energy Drink Discontinued?
The NOS Energy drink distributed in the bottle tank has been discontinued several years ago, but NOS is still being manufactured in regular aluminum tin cans.
Previously, NOS was owned by Fuze Beverage. The name was licensed from Holley Performance Product which also manufactures the Nitrous Oxide System brand.
According to the company, ”NOS is the first automotive product to have a consumable food product share its name and logo.”
But in 2007, Coca-Cola purchased NOS, and in 2015, it officially became part of the beverage portfolio of Monster Beverage.
The rich history of NOS as an energy drink is the reason why it’s popular among energy drink lovers.
At present, NOS is packaged in aluminum tin cans similar to most energy drinks sold in the market.
I think this is a welcome change because there have been many criticisms about using plastic bottles as the packaging of food and beverages concerning their environmental impact.
The Bottom Line
Each 15 fl. oz. can of NOS Energy Drink contains 160 mg of caffeine, 54 grams of sugar, 160 calories, B-Vitamins, preservatives, and other energy-boosting properties.
It is a high-performing energy drink enriched with powerful supplements and plenty of vitamins that can help you stay energized while performing.
However, the main worry in here I think is the high sugar level which is more than twice the healthy limit for women.
As a workaround, I advise you to consume NOS Zero if you’re really keen on trying this brand. This way, you’ll get an energy boost without worrying about the side effects of too much sugar.
Enjoy and consume responsibly!