Gym-goers avoiding sugar
If you want an energy drink in your gym bag without sugars, check the sugars figure on the nutrition panel as well as the product name. The ingredients can also tell you which sweeteners a sugar-free version uses.
Who is this choice for?
People watching their caffeine intake
Can size matters when you compare a single serving. Red Bull states that a 250ml Sugarfree can contains 80mg caffeine; Monster states that a 500ml Ultra can contains 150mg. Include caffeine from your other drinks and supplements when deciding what suits your routine.
People planning a drink after exercise
If your session involves sweating, carry water for fluid replacement rather than relying on an energy drink alone. The NHS identifies water as the best way to replace fluids lost through physical activity.
What should you check before buying?
Start with the sugars figure, then read the caffeine amount for the volume you intend to drink and make room for water if you expect to sweat.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars and ingredients | Read sugars per 100ml and the ingredient list; check the wording on the particular flavour and variant. Red Bull describes Sugarfree as containing no sugars, while Tesco lists 0g sugars per 100ml for X Energy Drink Sugarfree. | I want a can that meets my no-sugar requirement, rather than assuming every drink from a familiar brand has the same ingredients. |
| Caffeine per can | Check both caffeine per 100ml and can volume. Red Bull lists 80mg per 250ml Sugarfree can; Monster lists 150mg per 500ml Ultra can. Include caffeine from other sources when considering the total. | A smaller can may fit my plans better if I want less caffeine from one drink. If I choose a larger can, I want to know its full-can amount first. |
| Fluids after exercise | Plan what you will drink after a sweaty session. The NHS identifies water as the best way to replace fluids lost through physical activity. | After a workout that makes me sweat, I want water available even if I also pack an energy drink. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming zero sugar means little caffeine
Zero-sugar cans can have different whole-can caffeine amounts: Red Bull lists 80mg for 250ml Sugarfree, and Monster lists 150mg for 500ml Ultra.
Read the amount for the entire can and consider caffeine from coffee, tea or supplements before choosing a pack.
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Relying on an energy drink alone after a sweaty workout
An energy drink is not a reason to overlook fluid replacement. The NHS identifies water as the best way to replace fluids lost through physical activity.
Put water in your gym bag as well if you expect to sweat.
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Choosing by category or brand name alone
A sugar-free category or a familiar can design does not establish the ingredients of every variant. Relentless lists sucrose and glucose in its Cherry drink, for example.
Check the current label for the exact flavour and format, including its sugars figure, ingredients and caffeine amount.
Brand and product-line references
Red Bull
Sugarfree is a 250ml option for comparing a smaller can with a stated whole-can caffeine amount.
- Red Bull states that Sugarfree contains no sugars and 80mg caffeine per 250ml can.
- Sugarfree uses sweeteners; its sugar content does not tell you whether its caffeine amount suits your plans.
Monster
Ultra offers a 500ml zero-sugar can for shoppers considering a larger serving.
- Monster lists 0g sugar and 150mg caffeine per 500ml Ultra can.
- Assess the 150mg whole-can caffeine amount alongside caffeine from other sources, not just the zero-sugar description.
Tesco
Tesco lists X Energy Drink Sugarfree as a 250ml, no-added-sugar option.
- The Tesco listing gives 0g sugars and 32mg caffeine per 100ml, equivalent to 80mg caffeine in its 250ml can.
- Check the current can label and availability when shopping; the listed drink contains sweeteners.
Relentless
Check Relentless drinks by individual flavour rather than treating the brand name as a no-added-sugar label.
- Relentless lists sucrose and glucose in Cherry, so that particular drink does not fit a no-added-sugar choice.
Joybuy energy drink options
These Joybuy listings cover smaller Red Bull cans and larger Monster cans for a gym bag. Check the exact variant and its current label when comparing sugars and caffeine.
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Red Bull Sugarfree Energy Drink 250ml 12 Pack
This pack contains 250ml Sugarfree cans for someone who wants a smaller drink to carry to the gym.
Red Bull states that a 250ml Sugarfree can contains no sugars and 80mg caffeine. Check the pack label for ingredients and suitability warnings.
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Red Bull Zero 4 × 250ml
This is another 250ml-can format if you prefer a smaller drink in your gym bag.
Zero is a distinct Red Bull variant from Sugarfree. Check its own nutrition panel, ingredients and whole-can caffeine amount rather than applying Sugarfree figures to it.
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Monster Energy Ultra Zero Sugar 6 × 4 × 500ml
This multipack contains 500ml Ultra cans for someone choosing a larger drink.
Monster lists 0g sugar and 150mg caffeine per 500ml Ultra can. Consider that whole-can caffeine amount alongside other sources in your day.
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Monster Energy Drink Original Green Zero Sugar 9 × 500ml
This pack offers 500ml cans of the Original Green Zero Sugar variant for someone who wants a larger format.
Check this variant’s own sugars figure, ingredients and whole-can caffeine amount; Monster Ultra’s stated caffeine figure should not be assumed to apply to Original Green Zero Sugar.
Frequently asked questions
Does zero sugar mean an energy drink is caffeine-free?
No. Red Bull lists 80mg caffeine in a 250ml Sugarfree can, and Monster lists 150mg in a 500ml Ultra can. Compare the amount in the whole can and include caffeine from other drinks and supplements in your plans.
Should I drink a no-sugar energy drink instead of water after a sweaty workout?
Pack water for fluid replacement. The NHS identifies water as the best way to replace fluids lost through physical activity; choosing an energy drink for its caffeine or flavour does not remove that need.