Rockstar Energy Drink is probably a better choice than coffee if you’re looking for something that can give you a stronger energy boost.
A standard can of Rockstar Energy contains 160 mg caffeine, 250 calories, vitamins, and 63 grams of added sugar. This fusion of strong ingredients can definitely jumpstart your daily performance.
But I reckon the main query in this comparison really is – which one is the real star? Is it Rockstar or a cup of coffee?
If you ask me, it really depends on your needs and preference. However, let’s dig deeper to get a better grasp of everything!
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Rockstar vs. Coffee: Nutrition Facts
First, let’s have a look at the nutrition facts of Rockstar Energy Drink and coffee.
I used 16 fl. oz. as the point of comparison of Rockstar Energy Drink as this is the standard size for most energy drinks.
Meanwhile, I did my own research for the values of regular black coffee to facilitate the comparison.
Check out the table of values below to compare Rockstar with regular black coffee.
| Nutrients | Rockstar (16fl.oz) | Black Coffee |
| Calories | 250 | 2 |
| Fat | 0 g | 0 |
| Sugar | 63 g | 0 |
| Protein | 0 g | 0 |
| Riboflavin | 1.3 mg | 11% |
| Vitamin B3 | 16 mg | 2% |
| Vitamin B5 | 5 mg | 0 |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.7 mg | 0 |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.4 mcg | 0 |
Rockstar vs. Coffee: Caffeine Content
A regular serving of black coffee contains 96 mg of caffeine, while Rockstar has 160 mg. Although they differ, both amounts are within the permissible range of daily caffeine intake.
I am starting with caffeine level because this dictates how powerful a drink is. The higher the caffeine content, the stronger and more effective it would be in keeping you awake while you work out or study.
Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the nervous system and is a common ingredient in energy drinks as it contains natural properties that delay fatigue and exhaustion.
Aside from this, caffeine provides incredible benefits to overall health, including:
- weight loss
- improves brain function
- better memory
- helps with eyelid spasms
- protects against skin cancer
- prevents kidney stones
However, like most food and beverages, you have to consume caffeine moderately.
According to the FDA, the recommended daily caffeine intake is 400 mg for healthy adults which is roughly equal to drinking four cups of brewed coffee.
Going past the caffeine limit may cause overdose with the following symptoms:
- dizziness
- diarrhea
- increased thirst
- insomnia
- headache
- fever
- irritability
Be sure to seek medical help if you notice any of these extreme symptoms;
- trouble breathing
- vomiting
- hallucinations
- confusion
- chest pain
- irregular or fast heartbeat
- uncontrollable muscle movements
- convulsions
That said, you should definitely limit your intake of anything that has caffeine!
If you ask me, which one between coffee and Rockstar is better, in terms of caffeine content? I’d go for Rockstar because it has higher caffeine and for sure it can help keep me energized for my entire workout session.
Aside from Regular Rockstar that contains 160 g of caffeine, Rockstar has a more hardcore version called Rockstar Punched which contains 240 g of caffeine.
I suggest you stick with Regular Rockstar because this has an ample amount of caffeine to boost your energy, especially if you’re just starting to build your caffeine tolerance.
On the other hand, if you’re not doing a particularly challenging task, I think the amount of caffeine in coffee is enough to improve your energy levels and perhaps relax your nerves a little?
Rockstar vs. Coffee: Sugar Content
Rockstar has 63 g of sugar, which is almost triple the amount of the recommended daily sugar intake.
According to AHA, the healthy sugar limit should be no more than:
- 100 calories per day/6 teaspoons or 24 grams of sugar for women
- 150 calories per day/9 teaspoons or 36 grams of sugar for men
Based on these figures, it is apparent that Rockstar has dangerously high amounts of sugar, which could pose a heightened risk for health complications.
Excessive sugar is bad for your health as it could lead to a number of health problems, such as:
- type 2 diabetes
- dental problems
- fatty liver
- high blood pressure
- acne
- depression
- accelerates skin aging
- accelerates cellular aging
These symptoms are not limited to Rockstar alone, so make sure you closely observe how many teaspoons of sugar you add into your coffee.
If Rockstar is your cup of tea, I suggest you go for the sugar-free version to lessen the risk of developing sugar-related condition.
So, in terms of sugar content, coffee is definitely a better option than Rockstar Energy! With coffee, you can use less sugar or zero sugar at all, which is a lot safer and healthier for you.
So, coffee indeed!
Rockstar vs. Coffee: Calorie Content
Rockstar contains 250 calories while an average cup of coffee has one or two calories.
This means coffee is the right choice for people who are fasting or wanting to cut down on their calorie consumption to reducing weight.
But just to provide more context, the amount of calories in Rockstar is still well within the daily recommended level.
According to health experts, the recommended daily calorie intake is 2,000 calories a day for women and 2,500 for men.
As you can see, the amount of calories in Rockstar is 1/10th of the healthy limit, so you still have space for more calories after consuming one can.
Rockstar vs. Coffee: Ingredients
Compared to coffee, Rockstar wins in terms of having additional vitamins and supplements.
From the nutrition table below, you’ll see that Rockstar has four types of B-Vitamins all of which performs vital functions in the body.
To give you more context, here are the benefits that you can get from each type of B-Vitamin in Rockstar Energy Drink.
| Types of B Vitamin | Name | Benefits |
| B3 | Niacin | better skin health |
| B5 | Pantothenic Acid | increases energy and strengthens the immune system |
| B6 | Pyridoxine | promotes healthy metabolism |
| B12 | Cobalamin | production of red blood cells and nerve cells |
But Rockstar has more than just B-Vitamins, the ingredients list will show you that it also has antioxidants, amino acids, and other supplements.
I’ve created this table showing the most important ingredients in Rockstar Energy Drink.
| Ingredients | Descriptions/Roles/Benefits |
| Panax Ginseng | commonly known as Chinese ginseng helps reduce inflammation improves brain function |
| L-Carnitine | an amino acid that helps the body produce more energy may heal heart and kidney problems |
| L-Tartrate | a dietary supplement that helps protect against heart, kidney, and liver disease |
| Inositol | helps manage blood sugar levels reduces anxiety increases fertility in women with PCOS |
| Guarana Extract | a stimulant like caffeine that is also rich in antioxidants |
Based on these data, it’s evident that Rockstar contains more vitamins and supplements than a regular cup of coffee.
So, we can assume that Rockstar is leading the game in terms of vitamins and supplements!
Is Rockstar stronger than coffee?
Rockstar is stronger than coffee. Rockstar is generally stronger than coffee in terms of its caffeine content. A typical 8 oz. cup of coffee contains between 80 to 100 milligrams of caffeine, while a 16 oz. can of Rockstar can contain up to 160 milligrams of caffeine or more.
However, the actual caffeine content can vary depending on the specific type of coffee or Rockstar drink. Additionally, other factors, such as the rate of caffeine absorption and individual tolerance, can also affect how the body responds to each drink.
Is Rockstar a healthy energy drink?
Rockstar can be considered as a healthy energy drink. Rockstar does offer some options with less sugar and fewer calories than some other energy drinks. Additionally, Rockstar also has other options that contains plenty of added vitamins, nutrients, and minerals.
However, some Rockstar drinks do contain high amounts of sugar and artificial ingredients, so it’s important to read the nutrition label and consume them in moderation if you choose to drink them. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before consuming energy drinks regularly.
Is it OK to drink one Rockstar a day?
Consuming one Rockstar energy drink a day may be considered safe for some individuals, but it’s important to exercise caution due to the high caffeine content. A standard 16-ounce can of Rockstar energy drink contains approximately 160 milligrams of caffeine, which can lead to increased heart rate, or nervousness.
It’s essential to be mindful of your overall caffeine intake from all sources, including coffee, tea, and other caffeinated products. For most healthy adults, the FDA recommends limiting caffeine intake to about 400 milligrams per day, which is roughly the amount found in four 8-ounce cups of coffee.
Can I drink Rockstar on empty stomach?
Drinking Rockstar on an empty stomach should be avoided. It is generally not recommended to consume energy drinks like Rockstar on an empty stomach. The high caffeine content can lead to increased stomach acid production, which may cause discomfort and potentially worsen symptoms like acid reflux or heartburn.
To avoid potential digestive issues and discomfort, it’s advisable to have something to eat before consuming an energy drink, especially one with a high caffeine content like Rockstar. Eating a light meal or snack can help buffer the effects of caffeine on an empty stomach.
Why Is Rockstar Bad For You?
From my standpoint, Rockstar is bad for your health because of its massive sugar content.
A regular can of Rockstar exceeds the healthy limit of sugar by almost 40 grams.
Other beverages exceed the limit by one or two grams which isn’t much and still quite acceptable.
But the amount of sugar in Rockstar is just too much and I don’t think it’s suitable for everyday consumption.
Even though Rockstar contains lots of supplements and sugar, I just think the benefits are not worth it because of its high sugar content.
What is the Healthiest Energy Drink You Can Consume?
The healthiest energy drink contains a reasonable amount of caffeine and sugar as well as different kinds of supplements that enhance not only physical, but mental performance.
Here are some of the healthiest energy drinks you can try:
- Sound Sparkling Organic Yerba Mate
- MatchaBar Hustle Matcha Energy (Sparkling Mint)
- Vital Proteins Collagen Energy Shots
- Mati Unsweetened Sparkling Organic Energy Drink (Unsweetened)
- Toro Matcha Sparkling Ginger
- Proper Wild Clean All Day Energy Shots
- Ora Renewable Energy
- Your Super Energy Bomb Mix
- Laird Superfood Instafuel (Unsweetened)
- Guayaki Unsweetened Yerba Maté
Sugar-Free Energy Drinks vs. Coffee
Which is better, sugar-free energy drinks or coffee?
The answer depends.
It’s hard to give a general answer because you have to consider the amount of caffeine as well as calories present in every beverage.
You have to ask yourself, is this within the healthy limit?
Switching to a sugar-free energy drink will address the high sugar level, which is the most common health risk, but you also have to note all the other factors.
Just because it’s sugar-free doesn’t mean it’s automatically better than coffee!
To be thorough, check if the caffeine level is within the 400-gram limit. Next, is it within the range you comfortably consume?
Also check the calorie count, as well as the preservatives and additional supplements.
If you’re looking for an energy drink while studying, it is best to choose drinks with taurine, Ginkgo Biloba, and ginseng extract. These ingredients are known to enhance mental focus and memory retention.
Watch this informative video on coffee vs energy drinks to know more about the differences between the two.
In Conclusion
In my opinion, coffee is a better choice than Rockstar Energy because of its natural components.
The caffeine in an average cup of coffee is lower compared to Rockstar but you’re guaranteed with natural and healthier source. That means, you don’t have to worry about the side effects.
But don’t be too dismissive of Rockstar because it works well as an energy drink. The calories, caffeine, and other energy-boosting components of this drink can definitely help you obtain the boost that you need.
However, you should stick to only one can a day to avoid the nasty effects of sugar. As you know by now, Rockstar is amongst the most sugary energy drinks available so far.
So, you better tread lightly!
Still, after all said and done, I guess coffee has the star! So, go forth, enjoy your cuppa!