Does drinking too many energy drinks make you fat?
Energy drinks are generally thought to be high in calories and sugar, and drinking too much may lead to weight gain. So, let's take a look at the actual calories and sugar content in energy drinks, not just the "weight gain image," but with actual numbers. Energy drinks are often driven by perception, for better or for worse (´・ω・｀).
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Author: Energy Drink-kun
In 2001, while living in the United States, I encountered energy drinks through the dance scene and was deeply impressed. After returning to Japan, I found that energy drinks were considered novelty beverages, so I established a comprehensive website in 2013 to share the true appeal of energy drinks. As an energy drink enthusiast, I began drinking them seriously again, collecting over 7,000 varieties of energy drinks from various countries. I am also active as a critic and expert, receiving media interviews.
Energy Drinks Do Not Specially Cause Weight Gain
Energy drinks are often perceived as harmful and dangerous, but they are essentially just "juices" similar to regular soft drinks (though some are a bit extreme, lol). The key factors to focus on when it comes to weight gain are calories and sugar (carbohydrates). If either of these are consumed in excess, weight gain is more likely.
Let’s compare a few soft drinks, all per 100ml.
| Product | Calories | Sugar |
| Red Bull | 46 kcal | 10.7 g |
| Monster | 50 kcal | 13 g |
| Burn | 48 kcal | 12 g |
| Coca-Cola | 45 kcal | 11.3 g |
| Pepsi | 48 kcal | 11.9 g |
| Orangina | 43 kcal | 10.7 g |
There’s little difference in ingredients. It becomes clear that energy drinks are not particularly more likely to cause weight gain than other beverages. (Personally, I added Orangina because I like it, lol.)
Japanese energy drinks come in smaller quantities, so even drinking an entire can doesn’t have much of an effect. On the other hand, standard sweet carbonated drinks like a 350ml can will have more calories and sugar when you finish them. Additionally, if you drink a 500ml can or a PET bottle in one go during the summer, regular soda is more likely to contribute to weight gain than a single energy drink.
Does Drinking Energy Drinks Actually Lead to Weight Gain?
If you consume excess calories on top of your regular diet, regardless of the source, whether it's energy drinks or anything else, the extra energy will be stored as fat, leading to weight gain.
If you're someone who exercises a lot, has a low-calorie diet, or is in your early 20s with a fast metabolism, you're less likely to gain weight. On the other hand, people who can't seem to gain weight no matter what they eat or drink will likely not gain weight even if they consume energy drinks or carbonated beverages. This is due to being a hardgainer (someone who has trouble gaining weight), and they usually struggle to build muscle as well (these individuals often stay skinny, despite eating enough food).
Furthermore, drinking energy drinks will not help you lose weight. While ingredients like carnitine, BCAAs, caffeine, and D-ribose are included for metabolism boosting, most of these are present in amounts that are less than 1/10th of what you'd find in supplements. If energy drinks could help you lose weight, there would be no need for the countless diet products available, right? (lol)
Excessive Consumption Will Definitely Affect Weight
Drinking energy drinks every day won’t necessarily prevent weight gain, as the sugar and calories you consume will definitely impact your weight. If your intake of calories and sugar exceeds what you burn, then drinking energy drinks (or any sugary beverage) will result in excess calories being stored as fat over time. It’s a gradual process, but you'll definitely gain weight. This is only logical, right? (^_^;)
If your weight remains unchanged, it could be because, starting in your mid-20s, aging and lack of exercise are gradually reducing your muscle mass while fat starts to accumulate. (Since muscle weighs more than fat, it’s hard to notice.)
Conclusion
In conclusion, energy drinks are not special in terms of sugar or calories, and they are not particularly more likely to cause weight gain.
Therefore, there is no need to treat energy drinks as especially dangerous.
However, drinking energy drinks won’t stop you from gaining weight. Excess sugar and calories added to your regular diet will be stored as fat if not burned, leading to weight gain. Some people may drink energy drinks daily and not gain weight, but based on the sugar and calorie content listed on the can, it’s better not to take this too lightly.
Especially for those with metabolic syndrome or hidden abdominal fat who want to avoid increasing their risk of lifestyle diseases, it’s better to avoid sugary carbonated drinks, including energy drinks.
Since 2001, Energy Drink Maniac has been drinking energy drinks and providing the most detailed reviews of global energy drinks based on firsthand research.
1533 flavors reviewed.
User reviews: 0 comments.
The collection includes approximately 7,000 types of energy drinks from different countries, sizes, and designs.