An energy drink is a ready-to-drink beverage that is marketed as stimulating, energizing, and refreshing. But not all energy drinks are halal. Various energy drinks contain ingredients that do not comply with Halal standards, such as alcohol or taurine derived from animals.
Then what is the best way to tell whether an energy drink is Halal?
When choosing a halal-safe energy drink, it is essential to pay attention to the ingredients. Halal energy drinks are non-alcoholic and contain taurine that is not derived from animals. Some of the popular energy drinks that are Halal safe are Redbull, 5-Hour Energy, Bang, and Rockstar.
If you want to learn more about taurine and which energy drinks contain taurine you’re in luck we wrote a whole guide.
Although some of the energy drinks listed above may be Halal safe there is a lot more you should know. Keep reading to find out more.
It is essential to read the labels of the drinks before consuming them to ensure they are halal. Read on to learn more about halal energy drinks.
Which energy drinks are halal
We’ve been investigating energy drinks for some time, and we’ve found that some popular brands of energy drinks are not halal.
If you’re searching for halal energy drinks, we can help. When looking for an energy drink that works for you, you need to be aware of the ingredients, sugar, caffeine, and protein content.
Let’s look into popular energy drinks available in the market and determine whether they are halal or not.
| Drink (s) | Halal | Sugar Content | Caffeine | Halal Certification |
| Red bull | Yes | 37 g | 114 mg (12 FL oz.) | No |
| 5-Hour Energy (Berry regular strength) | Yes | 0 g | 200 mg (1.93 FL. Oz.) | No |
| Bang | Yes | 0 g | 300 mg (16 FL oz.) | No |
| Monster (Green Original) | Yes/No | 54 g | 160 mg (16 FL oz.) | No |
| G Fuel (Can) | No | 0 g | 300 mg (16 FL oz.) | No |
| G Fuel Powder | No | 0 g | 150 mg | No |
| Rockstar | Yes | 63 g | 160 mg (16 FL oz.) | No |
1. Red bull
Is red bull halal? Many previous studies reported Red Bull as Halal and are therefore recommended as a Halal-safe energy drink. This energy drink contains no alcohol or animal products and gives you a quick boost of energy.
The perfect pick-me-up before a long day or a quick fix to help you study or complete a project, Red Bull is a great way to get through the day.
The primary ingredients used to produce Red Bull are caffeine, sugars, glucuronolactone (improves performance), B Vitamins (for normal body functioning), taurine, and alpine water halal.
As long as Red bull includes taurine and other ingredients not derived from animals and are produced synthetically, it is Halal.
Red Bull is one of the best-selling energy drinks in the market. Some consider Red Bull to be more on the pricy side, so we put together a list of similar energy drink alternatives that cost less and are Halal-safe.
2. 5-hour Energy
5-Hour Energy Drink is a famous energy shot in the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world. Do you know if it’s halal or haram?
The ingredients listed in the 5-hour energy can include Taurine, Glucuronic Acid, Malic Acid, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, L-Phenylalanine, Caffeine, Citicoline and are halal.
5-hour ENERGY drink includes B-vitamins (Niacin – B3, Pyridoxine – B6, Cobalamin – B12) amino acids along with caffeine equivalent to 12 ounces of premium coffee.
While Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is a water-soluble vitamin that the body flushes out, high doses of it can cause damage to peripheral neurons.
3. Bang
Bang energy drink is halal. It is free from alcohol, and the ingredients are not derived from animal sources. Bang contains all essential amino acids (EAAs), CoQ10, and super creatine.
Energy drinks are a great way to stay awake, but their high sugar content is an issue for many people, especially those who are looking to lose weight resulting in weight gain.
So, should you stop drinking energy drinks? No, not at all. Here is some good news for you. Bang energy drink is sugar-free and high in caffeine to give you that extra boost you’re looking for.
Consequently, if you want to amplify your performance by keeping your body running at its full potential, then bang energy is for you.
4. Monster
Is Monster energy drink Halal? Yes/No. It is permissible to drink Monster energy drink. Monster energy is halal because the taurine in this energy drink is not known to be sourced from animals and is synthetically produced. However, the website does not mention that the monster energy drink is Halal.
In energy drinks, taurine is used for the following: to improve mental performance and to boost energy levels. However, when combined with herbal medications, energy drinks can cause caffeine toxicity. Moreover, the high sugar content in energy drinks may lead to obesity and chronic heart diseases if overconsumed.
Some people tend to wonder why does Red Bull cost more than Monster? We break down exactly why you pay more for a can of Red Bull over Monster.
5. G FUEL
G FUEL Can & Powder
G FUEL ingredients include B vitamins, Niacin, Ascorbic acid, sodium, caffeine, Malic Acid, L-Tyrosine, Sodium Gluconate, antioxidants, and many others, Many energy drinks contain high sugar content, so they may cause health issues (elevating blood sugar levels) and even weight gain if over consumed. Although it’s sugar-free, G FUEL in the can and powder form are both not Halal or vegan friendly.
G Fuel has stated its non-vegan status on its official Twitter:
According to AHA, daily intake of sugar should not be more than 100 calories (about 6 teaspoons or 24 grams of sugar (1tsp=4grams) in the case of women and not more than 150 calories per day (36 grams of sugar or about 9 tsp) for men.
G Fuel is not just another energy drink; it contains antioxidants to help fight off damaging radicals that may cause cell damage and prevent chronic heart diseases. It also contains vitamins C, E, and much more! Added vitamins C and E help maintain the body’s energy level.
6 Rockstar
Rockstar Energy Drink provides you with a fantastic energy boost from ingredients like taurine and caffeine and contains B-Vitamins, Ginseng and Guarana, Glucuronolactone, and citric acid.
Rockstar Energy Drink is an excellent option for a halal energy drink. It contains no alcohol or animal byproducts, and the taurine included in the drink is synthetically made and vegan.
The above energy drinks may be Halal safe, but another question that you may ask yourself will energy drinks break a fast? Well, you’re in luck in a recent article I discuss this very topic.
| Drink (s) | Vegan Friendly | Vegan Ethical |
| Red bull | Yes | Unknown |
| 5-hour Energy | Yes | Unknown |
| Bang | Yes | No |
| Monster | Yes | Unknown |
| G Fuel (Can) | No | No |
| G Fuel (Powder) | No | No |
| Rockstar | Yes | Unknown |
I always have concerns about the ingredients in beverages. So I explored if drinks like Prime Hydration are Halal. You can read my article about is Prime Hydration Halal here (5 minutes read).
Is the Taurine in Energy Drinks Halal or Vegan
Most popular energy beverages today such as Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, and G Fuel use a synthetically made version of Taurine. Although this one ingredient doesn’t contain animals, other listed ingredients in energy drinks can contain animal or animal byproducts.
Check the label closely!
Ever heard about energy drinks being banned in some countries? If you ever wondered why, click the previous link to see our detailed post about it.
Alternative halal safe drinks
Energy drinks that are high in caffeine are found as a quick fix to boost your energy level and improve cognitive performance. Unfortunately, excessive consumption of energy drinks may cause health problems.
Caffeine can cause a variety of side effects, including insomnia, nervousness, and irritability. Also, sugary energy drinks can increase weight gain and cause dental cavities. Alcohol used in energy drinks is a non-halal ingredient and is forbidden in Islam.
Then what are the best halal-safe drinks that you can try instead of your favorite energy drink? Here are some alternative halal-safe drinks that you can try instead.
- Chai Tea
- Coffee
- Fruit Juices
- Vegetable Juices
- Soft Drinks
- Dairy beverages (cow, goat, and camel milk)
- Dairy Alternatives (Coconut, Almond, Oat, Soy, and Cashew Milk)
Try our DIY Natural Energy drink recipe [Halal & vegan safe]
Do energy drinks contain alcohol?
The use of alcohol as a flavor enhancer is common in the food industry, and many people don’t realize that it’s present in their energy drinks because it’s used so sparingly. Thus, it is challenging to determine if a particular product is halal.
Your best bet is to check the ingredients list on any drink or other product you buy; if you see anything listed there that could potentially be derived from alcohol, look into it further by calling the company directly or researching online.
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Photo altered by dejittr.com | Photo attribution: Jorge Franganillo
