Composition and product data
What gives an energy drink energy?
Sugar provides readily available carbohydrate, and carbohydrates are an important energy source for the body. That is why many conventional energy drinks contain sugar. Sugar-free products contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 ml, so their energy contribution from sugars is small but not necessarily zero. Their total energy content can be checked on the label.
How much caffeine is in an energy drink?
A typical energy drink contains around 32 mg of caffeine per 100 ml, or around 80 mg in a 250 ml can. Products vary, so the caffeine amount stated on the particular drink’s label is the reference.
Do all energy drinks contain sugar?
No. Both sugar-containing and sugar-free energy drinks exist. The nutrition declaration states the exact sugar content; the MESZ database provides searchable values per 100 ml and, where available, per full package.
Do all energy drinks contain taurine?
No. Recipes vary by product, so taurine is not an ingredient in every energy drink. The current ingredient list provides the definitive answer; taurine and other ingredients can also be checked in the MESZ database.
Caffeine and responsible consumption
How much caffeine can an adult safely consume in a day?
According to EFSA, for healthy adults who are not pregnant, a single caffeine dose of up to 200 mg and a total daily intake of up to 400 mg do not raise safety concerns. These are reference values, not intake goals, and caffeine from all sources counts.
Is caffeine the same in coffee, tea and energy drinks?
Yes. Caffeine is the same compound whether it comes from coffee, tea, cola or an energy drink. What differs is the quantity consumed, the serving size and the drink’s other ingredients.
How do I calculate my daily caffeine intake?
Add caffeine from all sources consumed during the day: energy drinks, coffee, tea and cola, as well as any caffeine-containing supplements or medicines. For an energy drink, use the amount on the label and the volume you actually consume.
Consumers and use
Can someone under 18 buy an energy drink in Hungary?
In Hungary, energy drinks meeting the composition defined in law may not be sold or served to a person under 18. To apply the restriction correctly, check the composition of the product and the full current legal text.
Who is advised against consuming energy drinks?
The required warning on high-caffeine drinks says they are not recommended for children or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Anyone with a medical condition, taking medication or sensitive to caffeine should seek individual advice from a health professional.
Can an energy drink replace sleep or rest?
No. Caffeine may temporarily increase alertness, but an energy drink does not eliminate sleep deprivation or replace rest, water or a varied diet. If dangerously tired, for example while driving, the safe response is to stop and rest.
Ingredients and labelling
Why do some energy drinks contain B vitamins?
Some energy drinks contain B vitamins such as B2, B3, B5, B6 or B12. EU-authorised claims state that several of these contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism or the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, provided the product contains the required amount.
Do all energy drinks contain preservatives?
No. Some products contain preservatives, while others are preserved through pasteurisation. Pasteurisation is a heat treatment, not an added ingredient. Consult the label and manufacturer information for a specific product.
Where can I check a particular energy drink?
The MESZ database lets you search by brand, product name, caffeine content, sugar content, package size and preservation. Product entries include source links, but the current product label is the reference when purchasing.
Editor: Hungarian Energy Drink Association · Page updated: 20 October 2026.