Hell Energy is a popular European energy drink brand offering drinks with no preservatives and added vitamins. But are Hell Energy drinks actually healthy? Do they contain any harmful ingredients? In this article, you will find out what exactly is in Hell Energy drink and whether this drink is good or bad for you.
Hell Energy Drink – Ingredients
Hell Energy Drink comes in different flavours but the main ingredients are the same in all the varieties.
The Classic Hell Energy contains the following:
- Carbonated Water
- Sugar
- Citric acid – a preservative that also helps to enhance flavour
- Taurine (0.39%) – is an amino acid thought to help with endurance and stamina but not all studies support these claims
- Sodium Citrate – the sodium salt of citric acid, acts as an acidity regulator
- Caffeine (0.032%)
- Artificial Sweeteners: Sucralose and Acesulfame K
- Flavourings
- Colour (Ammonia Caramel)
- Vitamins: Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B6, Riboflavin and Vitamin B12
Although Hell Energy claim that there are no preservatives in their energy drink, this is not exactly true. In the ingredients list, you will find citric acid and sodium citrate which are both types of preservatives. These are harmless preservatives so consuming them is not an issue but it’s not clear why Hell Energy say there are no preservatives in their drinks when they are. Perhaps they mean there are no harmful preservatives? In any case, they shouldn’t be making these claims.
Hell Energy Drink contains some potentially harmful ingredients such as artificial sweeteners and caramel colour.
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that can cause digestive issues in some people and is associated with other side effects.
Ammonia Caramel (E150c) can also cause digestive issues but it can also impact the immune system although it is considered safe in doses found in drinks and foods. However, more research is needed to clarify the possible effects of this ingredient on human health.
Hell Energy Drink – Nutrition facts
Hell Energy Drink doesn’t offer much in terms of nutrition. It has no fats, no protein and no fibre. The main macronutrients in Hell Energy Drink are carbohydrates and these are all added sugars.
Hell Energy Drink has 0.20g of salt per 100ml and per 250ml can this comes at 0.5 g of salt which is not such a small amount considering that we should not consume more than 6g of salt per day. People with high blood pressure and other health issues should avoid this drink for this reason.
There are only 19 calories per 100ml in Hell Energy drink which means a 250ml can contains 47.5 calories. So, Hell Energy is pretty low in calories and that’s because they substitute some of the sugar for artificial sweeteners.
Hell Energy Drink – Sugar content
Classic Hell Energy drink contains 4.3g of sugar per 100ml. This means that one standard can (250ml) contains 10.75g of sugar. This equals around 2.5 teaspoons of sugar which is not that high compared to other energy drinks. Just make sure you don’t drink more than one can to avoid excessive sugar consumption in one day.
Hell Energy drink – Caffeine content
A can of Classic Hell Energy contains 80mg of caffeine which is pretty standard among energy drinks. As a comparison, the caffeine content of a regular cup of coffee is 65-120 mg, and of an espresso shot is 60-72 mg.
Hell vs Red Bull
If you are trying to decide between Hell Energy and Red Bull, you are probably wondering about their differences. Is Hell or Red Bull better? They both have very similar ingredients.
Looking at their caffeine content, they both have the same amount of caffeine (80mg).
The main difference is in their sugar content. Red Bull contains 11g of sugar per 100ml while Hell Energy contains only 4.3g of sugar per 100ml. This means that a 250ml can of Red Bull contains 27.5 g of sugar which is considered very high. This equals almost 7 teaspoons of added sugar and if you drink one can of Red Bull you will not have much of your sugar allowance left for the day (adults should consume no more than 30g of added sugar a day).
Since Red Bull is so high in sugar, Hell Energy drink is a better option if you want to avoid extra calories. However, there is also a sugar-free Red Bull if you want to give this a try but the flavour is likely to be different.
Hell Energy drink – Side effects
Just like all energy drinks, Hell Energy also comes with side effects. The added artificial sweeteners are not all that innocent and can cause digestive issues and disrupt the gut microbiome. E150c colour found in Hell Energy can also cause digestive issues.
If you drink too many cans of Hell Energy you will get the side effects of consuming too much caffeine. These include restlessness, insomnia, anxiety and even digestive issues.
FAQs
Does Hell energy drink contain alcohol?
There is no alcohol listed in the ingredient list of the Hell Energy drink.
Is Hell energy drink safe?
Hell energy drink is safe to drink in moderation. One of the main concerning ingredients E150c colour may cause digestive issues and impact the immune system but it’s safe to consume in concentrations found in Hell Energy.
Is Hell energy drink good for health?
Energy drinks are not considered to be healthy and the same applies to Hell Energy drinks. While it is safe to consume Hell Energy in moderation, drinking too many cans will result in excessive consumption of caffeine, contributing to insomnia and disturbances in heart rate and blood pressure. Hell Energy drink also contains artificial sweeteners which come with side effects, including digestive issues and disruption of the gut microbiome.
If you want to be healthy it’s best to avoid drinking Hell energy drink although having it once in a while will not do you any harm.