Many people are drawn to energy drinks to help them focus at the office or power through a workout. Celsius is one of the most popular brands, so it’s important to be aware of its caffeine content and whether it’s the best caffeinated beverage option.
Keep reading to learn more about the caffeine content in a Celsius and how this product compares to other alternatives.
How much caffeine in a Celsius?
The amount of caffeine in Celsius energy drinks varies depending on the product:
- Celsius Original (12 fl oz): 200 mg
- Celsius Stevia (12 fl oz): 200 mg
- Celsius Heat (12 fl oz): 300 mg
- Celsius BCAA (12 fl oz): 100 mg
- Celsius On-The-Go: 200 mg per packet
- Celsius Heat On-The-Go: 300 mg per packet
As you can see, most Celsius drinks contain between 200-300 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce can.
The amount of caffeine in Celsius products doesn’t change with different flavors, so all Celsius Original flavors contain 200 milligrams of caffeine, all Celsius Heat flavors contain 300 milligrams, and so forth.
Celsius ingredients
What else is included in a can of Celsius besides caffeine? Quite a lot, in fact, as with most energy drinks. As an example, the ingredients in a can of Celsius Sparkling Strawberry Guava include:
- Carbonated filtered water
- Citric acid
- Taurine
- Guarana seed extract
- Green tea extract
- Caffeine
- Calcium carbonate
- Vegetable juice (color)
- Ascorbic acid
- Sucralose
- Glucuronolactone
- Ginger root extract
- Natural flavor
- Calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5)
- Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6)
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
- Chromium chelate
- Biotin (vitamin B7)
- Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12)
Many of these ingredients, such as green tea extract, caffeine, and B vitamins, have health benefits and can help improve focus.
Other ingredients in Celsius, like glucuronolactone and taurine, are claimed to improve athletic performance and mental clarity but have insufficient or conflicting scientific evidence backing up these claims. (1,2)
Alessandra Stasnopolis, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian with Baylor Scott & White Health, advises that “there are additives in Celsius drinks that might be concerning to the consumer. Since energy drinks are considered a supplement, you should always talk with your doctor before incorporating them into your diet”.
Let’s see how Celsius compares to other caffeinated beverages based on their typical serving sizes:
- Celsius Original, 12 oz can: 200 mg
- Ethan’s Clean Energy shots: 150 mg
- Red Bull, 12 oz can: 111 mg
- Black coffee, 8 oz cup: 95 mg
- Black tea, 8 oz cup: 45 mg
- Green tea, 8 oz cup: 30 mg
- Soft drinks (cola), 12 oz can: 29 mg
Of these options, Celsius has the highest caffeine content.
While a can of Celsius contains less than the recommended daily limit of 400 milligrams set by the FDA, some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others and may find that 200 milligrams is too much for their body to handle.
“200 milligrams of caffeine is typically safe for most adults”, notes Stasnopolis, but advises people to watch for side effects such as rapid heart rate, anxiety/nervousness, or issues sleeping. If you regularly experience these symptoms with caffeine consumption, you may have a caffeine sensitivity.
Ethan’s Clean Energy shots are a great alternative to Celsius, containing a more manageable amount of caffeine while still providing a clean energy boost.
Another benefit? Unlike Celsius or other caffeinated drinks, Ethan’s Clean Energy shots and Clean Energy Drink Powder Mixes are free from artificial sweeteners, added sugars, natural flavors, and ingredients not backed by scientific evidence.
