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How Much Caffeine Is in Lucozade? 2024 Breakdown

Lucozade Energy Drinks

Lucozade energy drinks hit the marketplace in 1927 in the UK. However, their former name was “Glucozade” and the drink was originally marketed as an energy drink for hospital patients and people suffering from health conditions. However, the company, Suntory, rebranded the drink in the late seventies and focused more on health and fitness.

Though this energy drink is still manufactured in Suntory’s Gloucestershire manufacturing plant, it is now available in the United States. So, it joins the ranks of popular energy drinks available in the states such as Monster and Red Bull. But exactly how much caffeine does Lucozade contain? Each 12-ounce bottle of Lucozade contains 46 mg of caffeine. Keep reading to learn more!

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Lucozade Caffeine Content

A 12-ounce bottle of Lucozade contains about 46 milligrams of caffeine. Essentially, this is roughly the same amount of caffeine in a 4 oz. cup of regular coffee. Some people have a lower tolerance to caffeine or may be a bit sensitive.

If you aren’t used to drinking energy drinks, coffee, or consuming high amounts of caffeine, you may want to try this drink in small amounts. And if you do experience any side effects such as a racing heartbeat, jitters, headache, restlessness, or insomnia, you may want to refrain from consuming large amounts of this particular energy drink.

Lucozade Energy Original

What Are the Main Ingredients in Lucozade Energy?

Compared to other similar energy drinks, Lucozade Energy drink does seem to have the typical lineup when it comes to ingredients. However, it does appear that this energy beverage doesn’t have common ingredients that you see and other drinks.

For example, ingredients such as Red Bull and Monster such as ginseng, guarana, B vitamins, or amino acids like taurine. These ingredients have been shown to help post-workout recovery and cognitive abilities.

Here are the main ingredients listed on the nutrition label:

  • Caffeine
  • Carbonated Water
  • Glucose Syrup (11%)
  • Citric Acid (acid)
  • Orange Juice from Concentrate (6%)
  • Aspartame (artificial sweetener)
  • Potassium Sorbate (preservative)
  • Acesulfame-K (artificial sweetener)
  • Acacia Gum (stabilizer)
  • Artificial Flavors

Are There Any Artificial Sweeteners in Lucozade Energy Drink?

Yes. Lucozade energy drinks do contain a couple of artificial sweeteners including acesulfame potassium and aspartame. Both sweeteners are low in calories and similar to sugar in their flavor profile, which is why they’re commonly added to many energy drinks.

But many of these sweeteners may be a better option for anyone who has diabetes as they haven’t been shown to raise blood sugar. It can also be a better option for people on a low-calorie diet. However, there are certain precautions to consider before consuming these sweeteners in high amounts.

a bottle of lucozade on a person's pocket
Image Credit: Jack Lucas Smith, Unsplash

Do Artificial Sweeteners Have Side Effects?

Studies seem to be a bit mixed about whether certain artificial sweeteners cause health issues. The truth is that some may be better options than others. Sweeteners such as aspartame and acesulfame potassium have been linked with migraines and other issues.

There have also been studies that have found that they can contribute to mood disorders and increase the risk of certain diseases. Also, health experts recommend that pregnant or nursing women consult with a physician before consuming energy beverages that contain these particular sweeteners.

All in all, it seems that many artificial sweeteners are generally safe to consume, though they should be consumed in moderation–same with simple table sugar.

Are Energy Drinks Acidic?

Yes. Energy drinks such as Lucozade are highly acidic. This means that these drinks can cause inflammation in people with digestive problems or anyone with digestive issues (such as irritable bowels or colitis).

They can also cause bone density to decrease, similar to soda beverages, if they are consumed regularly. For example, the pH of Lucozade is 2.5. Note that the pH of a lemon, which is very acidic, is 2.

Beverages and foods that are extremely acidic can be harmful to teeth, and many dentists will recommend consuming these beverages in moderation to prevent early tooth decay and demineralization. Demineralization can lead to cavities and early tooth decay.

woman opening a can of energy drink
Image Credit: Fotos593, Shutterstock

How to Protect Your Teeth from Energy Drinks?

If you’re concerned about tooth decay and you drink energy drinks regularly, the best thing for you to do is simply cut back on your consumption. Also, you can try rinsing your mouth out with water after consuming an energy drink.

Water works as a natural mouthwash and can help restore the neutral pH balance of your mouth. You can also rinse your mouth out with milk as well. Also, another thing you can do is to brush your teeth a few minutes after you consume the energy drink.

Though this isn’t always ideal if you’re on the go, it’s best to do it before you turn down for the night. Note that the acid in energy drinks can soften your teeth, so try not to brush your teeth immediately. Instead, wait at least 30 minutes to an hour to give your teeth some time to re-mineralize.

What to Look for When Buying Quality Energy Drinks?

All energy drinks aren’t created equal. And while many energy drinks will have more nutritional value, some can be completely void of any minerals, herbal supplements, or nutrients. If you’re looking for a high-quality energy drink to try, consider looking for one that contains B vitamins, especially B12 and B6 (aka “pyridoxine”).

Vitamin B12 (aka “cobalamin”) is an essential nutrient that can help keep your nerve and blood cells healthy and improve your body’s ability to make DNA, which is the genetic material in all of our blood and skin cells. Vitamin B6 helps our bodies maintain a normal amount of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein in our bodies.

man holding a bottle of energy drink
Image Credit: sirtravelalot, Shutterstock

Is It Ok to Drink an Energy Drink in the Morning?

There are a few reasons why energy drinks aren’t the best to have first thing in the morning, especially if you’re a woman. Energy drinks can increase cortisol levels which can negatively impact hormone balances. Known as the “stress hormone”, cortisol is said to cause weight gain.

Cortisol helps to regulate energy and typically makes you feel more alert. Its levels can fluctuate throughout the day, but it’s usually higher in the morning and on the lower side or the evening.

So, if you drink a highly caffeinated beverage on a regular basis in the morning when your cortisol level is already high, this can shift the timing of your hormone production, causing you to continue to have high cortisol levels in the evening when it would normally drop.

Is It Safe to Drink Energy Drinks on An Empty Stomach?

Drinking energy drinks in the morning on an empty stomach may create issues regarding good health. Though studies are constantly being done about the relationship between caffeine and our gut microbiome, it has been proven to stimulate acid production in our stomachs.

But if you’re prone to GI issues such as acid reflux, you may want to pay attention to your symptoms to see if they are exacerbated when drinking energy drinks with an empty stomach.

Health experts recommend eating breakfast foods that are high in calcium such as yogurt, spinach, almonds, and kale, as they can help neutralize acidic drinks. And of course, you can always limit your morning energy beverages or combine it with more neutral drinks such as celery or cucumber juice.

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Wrapping Things Up

Lucozade Energy drink has a substantial amount of caffeine, though it’s a bit on the low side when compared to other popular energy drinks. It has about half the caffeine content of Monster, Red Bull, or a typical 8 oz. cup of coffee. Also, it’s a bit lacking in terms of nutrition and doesn’t have common ingredients such as B vitamins, amino acids, and other recovery-supporting nutrients.

But, if you’re looking for a boost of caffeine to get through the day, and you prefer not to drink coffee, it should definitely fit the bill. The drink is also sugar-free, which can be beneficial if you are on a low-calorie diet and are looking to get an energy boost without a high dose of sugar.

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Kate MacDonnell

Kate is a lifelong coffee enthusiast and homebrewer who enjoys writing for coffee websites and sampling every kind of coffee known to man. She’s tried unusual coffees from all over the world and owns an unhealthy amount of coffee gear.

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