Red Bull Drink - The Red Edition (250 ml)
Red flags
- −Red flag: High added sugar (11g per 100ml)
Green flags
- +Green flag: Low sodium
Ingredients, decoded
11 listed- Water
- Sugar
- Glucose
- Acidulant (Citric Acid)
- Carbon Dioxide
- Taurine (0.4%)
- Acidity Regulator (Sodium Citrate)
- Natural Colour (Anthocyanins)
- Caffeine (30 mg/100 ml)
- Flavours (Natural and Artificial [Watermelon flavour])
- Vitamins (Niacin, B6, B2, B12)
Our take
CleanPlate reviewWatermelon-flavoured energy drink with 11 g sugar
Red Bull Drink, The Red Edition, is a 250 ml can with carbonated water, sugar, caffeine, taurine, B vitamins and an anthocyanin colour, with a watermelon flavouring. The panel is printed per 100 ml.
CleanPlate scores it EC4. The E for nutrition is low: almost no credited protein, fibre or micronutrients per 100 ml. Added vitamins earn no credit in this product type. The C for ingredients reflects mostly refined or industrial ingredients (led by sugar and glucose), with additives that cost points: flavouring. The 4 for risk comes mainly from free sugar (11 g per 100 ml).
How EC4 breaks down
Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 ml.
Very low nutrient density
- Protein
- 0 g
- Fibre
- Not declared
- Vitamins and minerals
- 4 declared
- Energy
- 45 kcal
Scored on protein, fibre and twelve vitamins and minerals, against the Codex and FSSAI "source" and "high" levels, per 100 g and per 100 kcal.
Mixed processing and additives
- Base
- Water
- Sweeteners
- Sugar, Glucose
- Additives
- 1
- Flagged
- None
- Artificial flavour or colour
- Yes
Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.
High risk
- Added sugar
- 11 g
- Sodium
- 35 mg
Scored on free sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, each weighed by how strong the evidence of harm is.
A closer look
Does the label add up?
Carbonated water, sugar, citric acid, taurine, caffeine, flavourings, anthocyanin colour and B vitamins.
Per 100 ml: 45 kcal, 0 g fat, 11 g sugar of which 11 g added, 0 g protein, 35 mg sodium. The panel is read from the can side, which matches the card on the pack; sodium is 35 mg per 100 ml on both.
Ingredients to watch
- Added sugarConcern
About 11 g per 100 ml, about 28 g a can.
- CaffeineWorth watching
About 30 mg per 100 ml.
- ColourFine
Anthocyanin is a natural colour.
Common misconceptions
Myth: "Watermelon means fruit"
The watermelon is a flavouring; the list has no watermelon.
Myth: "Natural colour means healthy"
Anthocyanin is a natural colour, but the sugar and caffeine are the issue.
How often, and how
- Healthy adultsOccasionally
- ChildrenRarely
- Diabetes or prediabetesLimit
Smarter ways to eat it
Pick the zero sugar range
Red Bull zero sugar cans carry no added sugar.
Share a can
A 250 ml can has about 28 g of sugar.
Common questions
Is Red Bull Drink - The Red Edition (250 ml) healthy?
Red Bull Drink - The Red Edition (250 ml) scores EC4 (Poor) on CleanPlate, which makes it best kept as a rare treat rather than a regular buy. The main concerns are: High added sugar (11g per 100ml). On the plus side: Low sodium.
What does the EC4 score mean?
The first letter (E) grades nutritional value: very low nutrient density. The second letter (C) grades ingredient and label integrity: mixed processing and additives. The number (4) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): high risk.
Last reviewed October 17, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.