Do you have an energy drink lying around in the fridge past its expiration date and you are wondering if you can still drink it?
Well, the answer isn’t that simple as there are a few factors to consider. It mostly depends on long has it been past its expiration and if it visibly looks okay.
An expiration date indicates for how long a product is ideal for use before it loses its potency and in some cases, becomes dangerous for your health.
All products are bound to have an expiration date by the law.
In the case of energy drinks, an unopened can is safe to consume for up to 9 months past its expiry date.
Don’t get me wrong, the expiration date needs to be taken seriously, but since energy drinks contain preservatives, with the ideal storage conditions, they are still good for use.
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Do Energy Drinks Go Bad?
Yes, energy drinks go bad, but if they are kept in the right environment, they will be safe to consume for at least six to nine months after their expiry date.
Store energy drinks away from sunlight in a dark place, at room temperature.
Expiry date on energy drinks doesn’t necessarily mean that they cannot be consumed once expired instead it indicates that they just might not be as effective.
Since energy drinks contain preservatives and synthetic ingredients, after a certain period they can impact the taste and texture of the drink therefore, it is best to consume them within the expiration date.
How to Know If an Energy Drink Has Expired?
Except for the expiry date, which is generally printed on the bottom of the can, there are two ways you can know if your energy drink has gone bad.
First is the taste and smell of the drink. If you feel that the drink tastes odd or if it has a weird smell to it then the drink has definitely gone bad and isn’t safe for consumption.
The second indication is if your energy drink can appear bloated or has changed shape. This is called hydrogen swelling. This occurs when the acidic components of the drink react with the metal of the can. Thus, releasing hydrogen gas.
In both cases, the energy drink isn’t suitable for consumption.
How Long Do Energy Drinks Last Unopened?
Energy drinks last about 6-9 months past their expiry date.
The components of energy drinks include ingredients like caffeine, sugar, taurine, and guarana. These ingredients don’t break down over time, they just become less effective.
If your energy drink is just a month or two past its expiry date, you are likely to observe no significant change in its energy boost.
The expiration date represents how long the drink will stay at its best quality, after which the quality of the drink slowly starts to decline, resulting in low effectiveness.
Can You Drink Expired Energy Drinks?
Yes, you can drink energy drinks that are a few months past their expiry date.
Of course, the ideal situation is to consume energy drinks within the suggested period by the manufacturers but in case you have an expired can lying around, you can consume it as long as it tastes and smells okay.
However, if you have a sensitive stomach then maybe it is better for you to get yourself a new energy drink to avoid any potential health risks.
Do Energy Drinks Lose Their Effectiveness?
If you have an unopened can of energy drink lying around for more than a year or two, it will not be as effective.
Consuming expired energy drinks isn’t harmful to your health. They contain preservatives that keep the ingredients from breaking down, but they are likely to lose their effectiveness.
The expiry date tells you the ideal period until which the drink will work at its maximum potential. Past the expiry date, any lack of potency or health issues you experience is not the responsibility of the manufacturer or the company.
Therefore, drinking energy drinks within their expiry date is a better idea.
Does Keeping Energy Drink Refrigerated Make Them Last Longer?
No, keeping an energy drink in the fridge doesn’t affect its longevity.
The reason why manufacturers recommend keeping energy drinks refrigerated is because they taste the best when they are cold. It has nothing to do with the quality of the drink.
Consuming a chilled energy drink elevates the overall experience of the drink and makes it more desirable.
As long as you are storing your energy drinks at room temperature they are good to use.
But once you have opened the energy drink can, it’s best to keep it in the fridge to protect it from any bacteria or micro-organisms.
Is It Safe To Drink Expired Red Bull?
Yes, it’s safe to consume Red Bull a few months past its expiry date.
The main ingredients in Red Bull are caffeine, sugar, and taurine. These ingredients don’t deteriorate, but they’re likely to lose their effectiveness.
Since the drink also contains preservatives, the likelihood of the drink going bad after its expiry date is low. But if you observe any change in its taste and smell then definitely avoid consuming it.
How Long Do Monster Energy Drinks Last After Opening?
Monster Energy drink can last up to 2-4 days once opened.
Once you have opened an energy drink it’s better to consume it within a few hours because after that the texture of the drink will not remain the same.
Like any other soda, an energy drink loses CO2 once left open. As the drink loses its fizziness, it tastes flat and not-so-tasty.
Keep an opened energy can in the fridge to conserve it from bacteria and microorganisms. This also helps the drink stay relatively fresh.
Do Energy Drinks Need To Be Refrigerated After Opening?
Yes, to protect the quality of the energy drink, it’s better if you refrigerate the drink once opened.
Since the fizziness of the drink vanishes gradually once it is opened, the taste of the drink loses its thrill. Keeping the drink chilled will make it taste somewhat better.
This also prevents it from the bacteria and microorganisms that might enter the drink from the air or other sources.
Are There Side Effects Of Drinking Expired Energy Drinks?
In some cases consuming expired energy drinks can lead to:
- Stomach ache
- Food poisoning
- Bowel movement
These are likely to occur if you consume an energy drink that tastes or smells off.
If you have a sensitive stomach, don’t consume expired energy drinks.
How Often Can You Drink An Energy Drink?
This depends on its caffeine and sugar content. For most energy drinks consuming one to two cans is enough to provide you with the required energy boost while also maintaining good health.
Energy drinks generally contain a high amount of caffeine and sugar. Since both these ingredients affect the normal function of the body, consuming too much of them can lead to potential health risks.
The effects of caffeine on the body vary from person to person depending on their caffeine tolerance. If you are sensitive to caffeine, your body can easily get overwhelmed with even a small amount.
Regular sugar consumption can lead to obesity and a high risk of developing various heart and kidney diseases.
Make sure you go through the list of ingredients before consuming an energy drink so that you are mindful of what you are putting in your body.
Energy Drinks You Can Try Out
Here is the list of some of my favorite energy drinks. Make sure you drink them within their expiry date to minimize any potential health risks.
Final Thoughts
It’s safe to drink energy drinks past their expiry date, but their impact might not be the same for everyone.
The preservatives and ingredients in the energy drink prevent it from going bad at least six to nine months past its expiry date.
But how expired energy drinks affect you also depend on your health and immune system.
There are no serious health issues linked with consuming expired energy drinks if they taste and smell the same.
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