We have all had moments when we felt like we needed a pick-me-up in the form of caffeine. A baby up all night, an important exam in the morning, or an intense workout ahead can lead many of us to seek a highly caffeinated beverage. 

However, more caffeine isn’t always better. You may have heard of the recent Panera Bread Charged Lemonade lawsuits, with two lawsuits alleging that high level of caffeine may have played a role in the deaths of two people.

Consuming caffeine within the recommended amount is unlikely to cause severe harm, but those with certain underlying medical conditions may need to be cautious. Caffeine toxicity is also possible and can lead to unpleasant symptoms or even death. 

It's helpful to understand how much caffeine is actually in popular energy drinks. Here, we aim to answer questions you may have about energy drinks and caffeine. 

Is 200 mg of caffeine a lot?

Many studies have shown that caffeine consumption up to 400 mg per day is generally safe for most people. This is equivalent to about 3-4 cups of coffee per day, but it depends on the size of your cup. It's important to note that the half-life of caffeine is about 4-6 hours. This is when the effects may start to wane, however, you will still have caffeine in your system for a while afterward. Drinking more caffeine while you still have some caffeine in your system can put you at risk.

Red Bull, the top-selling energy drink in the United States, contains 80 mg of caffeine per 8.4 ounce can. Are you surprised by the results? Part of the fast-acting energy you may get from consuming an energy drink could be because the non-diet versions contain a significant amount of sugar – one can contains about 37 grams of sugar. 

Which has more caffeine Red Bull or Monster?

A can of Monster has significantly more caffeine than a can of Red Bull, with about 160 mg per can. However, one can of Monster is bigger than one can of Red Bull. Red Bull contains about 8.4 ounces of liquid and Monster contains about 17 ounces of liquid. 

Which energy drink has the most caffeine?

There is a three-way tie for the top of the caffeine list – Celcius Heat, Bang and Rockstar Xdurance, all with 300 mg of caffeine per can. Although this comes in under the 400 mg threshold, it would be advisable to proceed with caution, particularly if you have any underlying health conditions.

What is the healthiest energy drink?Here's what to know before selecting your next drink.

What are the symptoms of caffeine overdose? 

If you consume more than 400 mg of caffeine, you may experience symptoms of caffeine toxicity or overdose. Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City lists some of the symptoms of caffeine overdose: 

  • Breathing trouble
  • Changes in alertness
  • Agitation, confusion, hallucinations
  • Convulsions (seizures)
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Fever
  • Increased thirst
  • Increased urination
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Muscle twitching
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Sleeping trouble

If you consume too much caffeine, you may want to reach out to the National Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) or immediately seek medical attention. 

Half-life of caffeine:There's a reason why your coffee wears off.

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