Nisha Pandey

Red Bull Vs FSSAI: Beverage Giant Can Retain The 'Energy Drink' Label; What Are Its Health Risks

Red Bull Can Keep The ‘Energy Drink’ Label: What Are Its Health Risks?

Red Bull's ingredients

Red Bull got relief after Delhi High Court overturned a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) order that instructed the Austrian beverage giant to drop its ‘energy drink’ label. In a recent ruling, the court made its decision after it found that the Indian food regulator did not give sufficient time to the company to present its case.

While the legal fight between the food regulator and the billion-dollar beverage giant boils down to just two words on a can, the health question is much bigger: What does drinking an energy drink like Red Bull actually do to the body? 

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/fssais-food-warning-labels-get-stricter-not-two-even-a-single-ingredient-could-trigger-a-red-warning-article-156215404" data-type="tilCustomLink">FSSAI</a> had said India does not have a notified food standard specifically defining an “energy drink”, objecting to brands like Red Bull making claims like boosting energy or enhancing focus.

The regulator's concerns also included linked to what these beverages actually contain, particularly excessive caffeine, sugar, and other controversial ingredients like taurine. 

The biggest concern that the lawsuit is built upon is what causes the sudden surge of ‘energy’ after someone consumes this drink. Is it giving your body useful energy?

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/high-sugar-salt-or-fat-india-may-mandate-red-hexagon-labels-on-food-packs-article-156139358" data-type="tilCustomLink">High Sugar, Salt Or Fat? India May Mandate Red Hexagon Labels On Food Packs</a>

<h2>Red Bull’s Ingredients And What It Does To Your Body </h2>

One of the main ingredients responsible for the immediate feeling of energy alertness is <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/drinking-coffee-doesnt-affect-your-energy-it-changes-the-way-your-brain-functions-article-151772240" data-type="tilCustomLink">caffeine</a>. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, making you feel more awake and less tired. But that boost does not mean the drink is providing the body with sustained energy in the nutritional sense.

Depending on the product, energy drinks can also contain substantial amounts of added sugar, which adds calories but does not make the drink healthier. 

The caffeine content of energy drinks varies considerably. The US FDA notes that energy drinks can contain roughly 41 to 246 mg of caffeine per 12 fluid ounces, depending on the product.

The energy boost claim may comes from the caffeine content, which is what consumers should be mindful about. Too much caffeine can lead to faster heartbeat, palpitations, increased blood pressure, anxiety, jitters, headaches, nausea and sleep disruption. For most healthy adults, the FDA cites 400 mg of caffeine a day.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/every-extra-100g-ultra-processed-food-linked-to-14-higher-heart-risk-11-higher-bp-risk-article-156217210" data-type="tilCustomLink">Every Extra 100g Ultra-Processed Food Linked To 14% Higher Heart Risk, 11% Higher BP Risk</a>

Energy drinks can also temporarily increase <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/us-fda-recalls-india-made-bp-drug-for-the-second-time-in-3-months-heres-why-article-156243338" data-type="tilCustomLink">blood pressure</a> and cardiovascular load. A 2024 review and meta-analysis of randomised trials found that energy drinks acutely increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure in healthy adults.

Excess caffeine in young people can cause palpitations, increased heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety, sleep problems and digestive symptoms. Therefore, the FDA and medical experts advise against energy drinks for children and teenagers. 

This is also why energy drinks have attracted regulatory restrictions worldwide. England, for example, plans to prohibit their sale to under-16s from April next year.

Sports Stars, Junk Food & Sugary Drinks: How Marketing Impacts Health

The sugar content is another reason to be careful about how often you drink energy drinks. Regular and frequent consumption of high amounts of added sugar, through liquid calories like energy drinks, can increase overall calorie intake and contribute to weight gain and obesity. 

Over time, excess sugar intake is also linked with a higher risk of metabolic problems like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. For people who regularly consume these energy drinks, the concern is therefore not just the caffeine, but also how much added sugar they are consuming with each can.

HealthAndMe previously reported that <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/this-common-energy-drink-ingredient-is-tied-to-blood-cancer-risk-article-151655744" data-type="tilCustomLink">taurine</a> may help fuel the growth of certain leukaemia cells. The research raised questions about taurine's role in blood cancer. The research was about the behaviour of cancer cells and does not establish that taurine-laced energy drinks cause blood cancer in humans.

Taurine occurs naturally in protein-rich foods like meat and fish and is also produced in the human body. Known for its function of maintaining fluid balance, cardiovascular support, and electrolyte regulation, taurine has been touted for years as a "health-enhancing" supplement. Taurine is also added to energy drinks for its claimed brain-boosting and anti-inflammatory effects and is marketed as a means to enhance mental concentration and physical output. 

A study by University of Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Institute revealed how leukemia cancer cells hijack taurine as an energy source. Specifically, the cancer cells take in taurine to fuel glycolysis—a biological process that allows them to produce energy and proliferate at a fast rate.

The bottomline is that the Delhi High Court's ruling does not mean that Red Bull has been declared healthy. It addresses whether FSSAI followed the correct procedure when restricting the “energy drink” label. So even though <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/exclusive-from-ipl-to-olympics-how-sport-became-a-marketing-tool-for-junk-food-and-sugary-drinks-article-156141268" data-type="tilCustomLink">Red Bull</a> can be marketed and sold as an “energy drink”, it cannot be automatically considered healthy.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

red-bull-can-keep-the-energy-drink-label-what-are-its-health-risks

red bull

red bull energy drink label

fssai

red bulls ingredients

fssai energy drink

delhi high court

delhi-winter-pollution-action-plan-how-poor-air-affects-your-health

Delhi Winter Pollution Action Plan: How Poor Air Affects Your Health

not-blood-but-a-new-ai-tool-may-be-able-to-detect-type-2-diabetes-from-your-voice

New AI Tool May Be Able To Detect Type 2 Diabetes From Your Voice, Not Blood

Health News

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

Red Bull got relief after Delhi High Court overturned a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) order that instructed the Austrian beverage giant to drop its ‘energy drink’ label. In a recent ruling, the court made its decision after it found that the Indian food regulator did not give sufficient time to the company to present its case. While the legal fight between the food regulator and the billion-dollar beverage giant boils down to just two words on a can, the health question is much bigger: What does drinking an energy drink like Red Bull actually do to the body? FSSAI Vs Red Bull FSSAI had said India does not have a notified food standard specifically defining an “energy drink”, objecting to brands like Red Bull making claims like boosting energy or enhancing focus. The regulator's concerns also included linked to what these beverages actually contain, particularly excessive caffeine, sugar, and other controversial ingredients like taurine. The biggest concern that the lawsuit is built upon is what causes the sudden surge of ‘energy’ after someone consumes this drink. Is it giving your body useful energy?Also read: High Sugar, Salt Or Fat? India May Mandate Red Hexagon Labels On Food Packs Red Bull’s Ingredients And What It Does To Your Body       Caffeine One of the main ingredients responsible for the immediate feeling of energy alertness is caffeine. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, making you feel more awake and less tired. But that boost does not mean the drink is providing the body with sustained energy in the nutritional sense. Depending on the product, energy drinks can also contain substantial amounts of added sugar, which adds calories but does not make the drink healthier. The caffeine content of energy drinks varies considerably. The US FDA notes that energy drinks can contain roughly 41 to 246 mg of caffeine per 12 fluid ounces, depending on the product. The energy boost claim may comes from the caffeine content, which is what consumers should be mindful about. Too much caffeine can lead to faster heartbeat, palpitations, increased blood pressure, anxiety, jitters, headaches, nausea and sleep disruption. For most healthy adults, the FDA cites 400 mg of caffeine a day.Also read: Every Extra 100g Ultra-Processed Food Linked To 14% Higher Heart Risk, 11% Higher BP Risk Energy drinks can also temporarily increase blood pressure and cardiovascular load. A 2024 review and meta-analysis of randomised trials found that energy drinks acutely increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure in healthy adults. Excess caffeine in young people can cause palpitations, increased heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety, sleep problems and digestive symptoms. Therefore, the FDA and medical experts advise against energy drinks for children and teenagers. This is also why energy drinks have attracted regulatory restrictions worldwide. England, for example, plans to prohibit their sale to under-16s from April next year.                                              Sugar The sugar content is another reason to be careful about how often you drink energy drinks. Regular and frequent consumption of high amounts of added sugar, through liquid calories like energy drinks, can increase overall calorie intake and contribute to weight gain and obesity. Over time, excess sugar intake is also linked with a higher risk of metabolic problems like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. For people who regularly consume these energy drinks, the concern is therefore not just the caffeine, but also how much added sugar they are consuming with each can.Taurine HealthAndMe previously reported that taurine may help fuel the growth of certain leukaemia cells. The research raised questions about taurine's role in blood cancer. The research was about the behaviour of cancer cells and does not establish that taurine-laced energy drinks cause blood cancer in humans. Taurine occurs naturally in protein-rich foods like meat and fish and is also produced in the human body. Known for its function of maintaining fluid balance, cardiovascular support, and electrolyte regulation, taurine has been touted for years as a "health-enhancing" supplement. Taurine is also added to energy drinks for its claimed brain-boosting and anti-inflammatory effects and is marketed as a means to enhance mental concentration and physical output. A study by University of Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Institute revealed how leukemia cancer cells hijack taurine as an energy source. Specifically, the cancer cells take in taurine to fuel glycolysis—a biological process that allows them to produce energy and proliferate at a fast rate.The bottomline is that the Delhi High Court's ruling does not mean that Red Bull has been declared healthy. It addresses whether FSSAI followed the correct procedure when restricting the “energy drink” label. So even though Red Bull can be marketed and sold as an “energy drink”, it cannot be automatically considered healthy. 