Is Monster Energy Vegan?
If you love energy drinks, it’s impossible to have not heard of Monster Energy. One of the most popular and common brands when it comes to vegan energy drinks, Monster Energy invites you to “unleash the beast.”
With a wide range of products that come in a variety of different flavors, Monster Energy is famous for its many options. However, for those who are vegan, its ingredients may be a major concern. So in this article we are going to address the question of the hour, “Are monster energy drinks vegan?”
What Is Monster Energy Drink?
Monster Energy is one of the most well-established energy drinks. After Red Bull (check vegan status), Monster Energy is the most popular energy drink brand in the United States. This drink comes in conveniently-sized 16-ounce cans and has 36 different varieties.
There are 9 different styles of beverages that Monster Energy is found in, and it’s found in 34 flavors. The most popular flavors and the core of the Monster Energy line consists of Monster Juice, Monster Java, Hydro Monster, Dragon Tea Monster, Extra Strength Monster, Monster Import, and Monster Rehab. However the main question for those who are into conscious eating remains as, “Is monster drink vegan”
Are Monster Energy Drinks Vegan?
To answer the question “is monster energy vegan” simply, the answer is yes. Monster drinks are vegan since they do not contain any animal-based ingredients. In fact, the manufacturers have clarified that ingredients such as taurine and L-carnitine, which are used in Monster Energy, are vegan. Earlier, taurine could only be obtained from animals; however, as of today, taurine can be produced synthetically.
Synthetic taurine allows the company to reduce their costs since it is much cheaper and also makes their drink vegan, making it available to a wider range of audiences. L-carnitine is another ingredient that is commonly found in meat, and this is usually processed from there.
However, there is a commonly used plant-based alternative source that vegan energy drinks such as Monster Energy use. Nevertheless, it is still important to go through the ingredients of the drink because even though most of them are vegan, all monster flavours are not.
What Is Monster made of?
To understand how Monster Energy is vegan, we need to understand what Monster is made of. The most common ingredient used in most energy drinks is caffeine, and that is found in Monster Energy drinks as well. 100mg of Monster contains approximately 36 mg of caffeine.
Besides that, Monster Energy contains glucose, sucrose, Cyanocobalamin, Sucralose, Maltodextrin, Riboflavin, Glucuronolactone, Pyridoxine hydrochloride, Inositol, Niacinamide, Sodium chloride, Sorbic acid, Benzoic acid, citric acid, sodium citrate.
It also includes Panax ginseng root extract and Guarana seed extract, which give it its unique taste along with other natural flavors and artificial colors. It also contains synthetically produced taurine and plant-based L-carnitine, which contributes to its vegan nature.
However, these ingredients determine the shelf life of Monster Energy Drink caffeine and taurine, for example, are natural preservatives that help extend the shelf life of the beverage. B vitamins, on the other hand, can break down over time, reducing the efficacy of the drink.
To ensure the best quality and freshness, Monster Energy Drink is typically sold in airtight cans or bottles. It should also be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. If stored properly, Monster Energy Drink can have a shelf life of up to two years from the date of manufacture.
Monster Energy Drink Ingredients
1. Monster Ultra Red Ingredients
Whether Monster Energy Ultra Red is vegan or not depends on your country of purchase. In North America, Monster Energy Ultra Red is completely vegan-friendly; however, in European countries, it is not.
In European countries, monster energy ultra red contains a few extra ingredients such as cochineal to give it its red color. Also known as E120 or carmine, cochineal is not vegan because it is obtained from scale insects. So it is not vegan-friendly for those living in European countries.
2. Monster Zero Ingredients
Monster zero is a lighter-tasting version of the monster energy drink. It claims to be less sweet and also has zero calories. However, it still contains the complete monster energy blend and has a number of ingredients.
The ones that may concern a vegan specifically are taurine, natural flavors, L-carnitine, and L-Tartare. It is said by the company that these are synthetically produced, and so when the question arises if this particular monster energy drink is vegan – the answer is unclear.
3. Monster Juice Ingredients
Monster juice comes in three different flavors that are called Mango Loco, Pipeline Punch, and Khaos. All three of these flavors have a more or less similar composition in terms of ingredients.
They contain caffeine, natural flavors, carbonated water, sugar, guarana seed extract, panax ginseng extract, and juice concentrate of various fruits such as apple, orange, peach, white grape, pineapple, and tangerine.
They also include l-carnitine, l-tartrate, color added, d-glucuronolactone, inositol, citric acid, sucralose, and vitamins such as vitamin B3, Vitamin A, Vitamin B12 in various forms.
4. Monster Java Ingredients
Monster Java comes in three different flavors: Mean Bean, Salted Caramel, and Loca Moca. The ingredients of all three are the same- Reduced Fat Milk, sucrose, glucose, coffee, filtered water, and taurine.
It is quite evident that Monster Java is not-vegan, and so those who are vegan will have to look for another alternative.
5. Monster Hydro Ingredients
Monster hydro comes in four variations: Green, Tropical Thunder, Manic Melon, and Zero Sugar. They too have similar ingredients, but the only difference is they also contain L-carnitine.
It does, however, contain taurine, as to which it is not clarified whether it is synthetically produced or not.
What Monster Energy Drink Flavors are Vegan?
1. Is Monster Ultra Red Vegan?
As mentioned previously, whether Monster Energy Ultra Red is vegan or not depends on your country of purchase. In North America, Monster Energy Ultra Red is completely vegan-friendly. However, it is not in European countries due to the presence of cochineal, which is extracted from scale insects.
2. Is Monster Zero Vegan?
Monster energy does have a few ingredients such as taurine, natural flavors, L-carnitine, and L-Tartare, which may concern vegans. However, Monster Energy claims that these are synthetically produced ingredients hence making the drink vegan. Out of all monster flavours, this may be one of the safest for vegans to consume.
3. Is Monster Juice Vegan?
The ingredients that can be an issue for vegans are L-carnitine, sugar, and artificial colors. Sugar may not be vegan because the sugar used in monster juice is often processed from the bone char of cows.
It may not be a problem for many vegans, but that depends on you. When it comes to L-carnitine, Monster Energy has stated that it is vegan since it is plant-based.
4. Is Java Monster vegan?
Monster Java contains coffee and hence contains milk. Due to the presence of milk, Java Monster is not vegan despite being vegetarian.
5. Is Monster Hydro Vegan?
Monster Hydro contains numerous ingredients, but the one that stands out for vegans is taurine. Even though Monster Energy states that it is synthetically produced, it is up to the drinker to decide whether it’s worth the risk.
Do Monster Energy Drinks Works?
The answer is yes and no. Monster energy drinks contain a high amount of caffeine and sugar, which stimulates the nervous system and provides a temporary boost. This stimulation, however, doesn’t last long in the long term. So to sum it up, it definitely isn’t a permanent solution, but it is a great option for an immediate energy boost.
Verdict | Are Monster Energy Drinks Vegan?
Most of the monster energy drinks are vegan, as it does not contain any animal-derived ingredients. This is good news for individuals who follow a vegan lifestyle and want to consume energy drinks that align with their beliefs. However, it is important to note that some vegans choose not to consume energy drinks due to concerns about the health and ethical implications of caffeine and other stimulants.
It’s worth noting that the majority of sodas in the market are also vegan-friendly, including popular brands like Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew, Sprite, and Gatorade. This means that individuals who follow a vegan lifestyle can still enjoy a wide range of beverages without having to compromise on their values.
