Red Bull Energy Drink (250 ml)
Red flags
No major red flags on the label.
Green flags
- +Green flag: Low sodium
Ingredients, decoded
11 listed- Water
- Sucrose
- Glucose
- Acidulant (Citric Acid)
- Carbon Dioxide
- Taurine (0.4%)
- Acidity Regulators (Sodium Bicarbonate, Magnesium Carbonate)
- Flavours (Natural and Artificial [Mixed Fruits flavour])
- Natural Colour (Caramel)
- Caffeine (30 mg/100 ml)
- Vitamins (Niacin, B2, B6, B12)
Our take
CleanPlate reviewClassic energy drink with 11 g sugar per 100 ml
Red Bull Energy Drink (250 ml) is a 250 ml can of carbonated water with sugar and glucose, caffeine, taurine, B vitamins and a mixed-fruit flavouring, with a caramel colour. 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 sucrose 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
- 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
- Total sugar
- 11 g
- Sodium
- 41 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, glucose, citric acid, taurine, caffeine, flavours, caramel colour, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate and B vitamins.
Per 100 ml: 45 kcal, 0 g fat, 11 g sugar, 0 g protein, 41 mg sodium. The panel is printed per 100 ml and matches the 355 ml can in this range; the energy is printed as KL and read as 45 kcal. The added-sugar line is absent.
Ingredients to watch
- SugarConcern
About 11 g per 100 ml, about 28 g a can.
- CaffeineWorth watching
About 30 mg per 100 ml, 75 mg a can.
- TaurineFine
About 400 mg per 100 ml, a common additive with no extra effect at this dose.
Common misconceptions
Myth: "Energy drinks give energy like food"
The energy is the sugar and caffeine, not a fuel.
Myth: "Caffeine is the same as coffee"
A 250 ml can has about as much caffeine as a small cup of coffee.
How often, and how
- Healthy adultsOccasionally
- ChildrenRarely
- Diabetes or prediabetesLimit
Smarter ways to eat it
Pick the sugar-free version
The sugar-free Red Bull in this range has no added sugar.
Water first
Water covers thirst without the caffeine.
Common questions
Is Red Bull Energy Drink (250 ml) healthy?
Red Bull Energy Drink (250 ml) scores EC4 (Poor) on CleanPlate, which makes it best kept as a rare treat rather than a regular buy. We found no major red flags on its label. 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.