The Benefits of Vitamins in Energy Drinks Like Monster, Red Bull & Sobe

You might grab a Red Bull, Monster Energy or SoBe for a bit of a boost to get you through the day, but these drinks also contain essential nutrients that your body needs for good health. While it's OK to have energy drinks in moderation, more is not better, especially when there are healthier sources of these nutrients. Consult your doctor to discuss the use of energy drinks in your diet as it relates to your health.

Senator Dick Durbin holds up a can of Monster Energy Drink at a tesimony before congress. (Image: Joe Raedle/Getty Images News/Getty Images)

Energy-Boosting Bs

Red Bull and Monster Energy contain high amounts of many of the B vitamins, including riboflavin, niacin and vitamin B-6. Red Bull also contains a significant amount of pantothenic acid. Not all flavors of SoBe drinks contain B vitamins, but the Lifewater B-Energy Black Cherry Dragonfruit is a significant source of niacin, pantothenic acid and vitamin B-6. As a group, the B vitamins, which include eight vitamins total, help metabolize the food you eat into energy. However, the B vitamins themselves do not give you energy.

Non-Animal Source of B12

What may make these drinks a nutritional standout is that they contain vitamin B-12, which is naturally only found in animal foods. Monster Energy, Red Bull and SoBe Lifewater B-Energy Black Cherry Dragonfruit contain high amounts of this B vitamin. While vitamin B-12 also helps your body get energy out of the food you eat, it's also needed to help make red blood cells and DNA.

Some Antioxidants

Antioxidants are substances found in food that act as your body's defense mechanism against cellular damage. Monster Energy and Red Bull are not good sources of antioxidants, although they do contain a very small amount of copper. The energy-boosting SoBe products do contain vitamin C, meeting 250 percent of the daily value per serving. However, when it comes to overall better health, you may be better off getting your antioxidants from natural sources such as fruits and vegetables than a SoBe energy drink.

Energy Drinks Are Not for Everyone

The primary concern with energy drinks is if you have too many. A 2013 article published in Today's Dietitian reports that you should limit your intake of energy drinks to 16 ounces a day. Too many of these drinks may not only make sleeping a problem, but may also affect your health by increasing both your heart rate and blood pressure, according to Today's Dietitian.