How Long Does Red Bull Last?

Red Bull is one of the most popular energy drinks. It can give you a boost of energy when you need it and help get you through the day when you feel like you need something to keep you going.

But how long does Red Bull last? Red Bull reaches its half-life around 5 hours after you have had it. This means that the caffeine and sugar in Red Bull will keep you going this long until the effects wear off. As for its shelf life, Red Bull lasts 18-24 months if it is unopened and 2-4 days after opening the can. 

This article is for you if you have ever wondered how long Red Bull keeps your energy levels high and if it is good to drink Red Bull often.

You will also learn about the shelf life and storage conditions of Red Bull as well as how to detect if Red Bull is bad. 

What Is Red Bull And Is It Healthy? 

Some people look at energy drinks as a quick fix for days when their fatigue interferes with the tasks they need to accomplish. But we can all agree that energy drinks, at least the majority of them, are not the healthiest beverages. 

If you ask people to name the energy drink that first comes to their mind, many will say Red Bull. This is one of the most widely-consumed energy drinks in the world. But many drink Red Bull without knowing what’s in it and if it’s harmless. 

So, what is Red Bull?

Red Bull is a carbonated energy drink that contains caffeine along with other energy-boosting ingredients. Carbonated water, sugar, baking soda, citric acid, and artificial additives are the main ingredients in Red Bull.

If sugar is what concerns you the most in the composition of this drink, you can buy the sugar-free versions of Red Bull. 

But how often can you drink Red Bull? If you don’t have any health conditions, drinking a can of Red Bull a day is still okay.

You won’t exceed your daily caffeine intake unless you also drink multiple cups of coffee along with Red Bull on the same day. 

Keep in mind that there is also sugar in Red Bull and it might be a good idea to opt for the sugar-free varieties. 

With this said, excess intake of Red Bull may cause serious health issues. It may affect your kidney health, heart health, cause caffeine overdose, increase the risk of diabetes, and cause high blood pressure. 

So, consume Red Bull in moderation to avoid any health issues and enjoy the boost of energy it gives you. 

How Long Does Red Bull Last In Your System? 

If you drink Red Bull, it is important to not only learn about the ingredient list of this drink and the possible side effects but also good to know how long the drink lasts in your system. But lets’ start with understanding how Red Bull works. 

How Does Red Bull Work?

Red Bull is said to give you wings, but truth be told there’s no magic it in. You don’t actually grow wings.

There is lots of sugar in Red Bull. As you may know, sugar is the primary source of energy for the body. This is why consuming a lot of sugar at once gives you a boost of energy. 

Secondly, Red Bull contains vitamins. The B vitamins in this energy drink make your metabolism faster and help you get more energy from food.

These vitamins change the way you get energy from your food and they also make you feel different when the wave of energy comes. 

And lastly, Red Bull contains lots of caffeine. There is 111 mg of caffeine in a 12 fl oz can of Red Bull. It is this caffeine that keeps you awake and energetic a few hours after drinking Red Bull.  

How Long Does Red Bull Last?

How long Red Bull will last in your system depends on many factors. However, the half-life of Red Bull is 5 hours on average.

This means that the energy drink will be out of your system after around 10 hours of drinking it. After this time, you will notice that you are out of the energy you had earlier. 

With this said, it is also important to know that Red Bull starts ‘working’ within 10 minutes after you drink it. It increases your blood pressure and heart rate and makes you feel more active and awake. 

Around 30 minutes later the caffeine you get from Red Bull peaks. This is when you feel like you have the energy to conquer the world. Your body will start to process the sugar Red Bull provides it with and will release energy instead. 

Does Red Bull Make You Crash? 

When you give your body more sugar than it is used to, you are likely to experience a crash. Crashing is the feeling that you experience after the effect of the energy drink wears off.

This may cause headaches, anxiety, and a feeling that you don’t have any energy left in your body. 

Because of the high amount of sugar Red Bull contains, you are likely to experience a crash. This is not a serious problem. However, it is surely an off-putting feeling and may interfere with your day and daily tasks. 

Red Bull crash usually happens around an hour after you have finished the drink. This is when your body has used up all the sugar and creates an impression as if the drink has stopped working.

But whenever this happens, remember that there is still caffeine in Red Bull which will be working for the upcoming hours. 

Can You Get Red Bull Out of Your System? 

If you have consumed too much Red Bull and you feel like it is interfering with your sleep, you might consider doing a few things to ‘flush it out’ of your system. 

Firstly, you can exercise or engage in any other physical activity. Doing this will help you use up the energy the drink has given you.

Secondly, drink water. Water will help you cope with the caffeine of Red Bull. Remember to drink at least two glasses of water for every can of Red Bull. 

And lastly, avoid eating high-fiber foods if you have had too much Red Bull that day. High fiber foods slower the absorption rate of the body which means that it will break down and absorb the caffeine slowly too. 

How Long Does Red Bull Last? – The Shelf Life of Red Bull 

Like all foods and drinks, Red Bull also has a limited shelf life and it is best to consume when it is still good and not past its excoriation date. 

Here’s how long Red Bull lasts depending on whether you have opened the can or not. 

How Long Does Red Bull Last Unopened?

The shelf life of energy drinks, including that of Red Bull, is quite long. If you check the date printed by the manufacturer at the bottom of the can, you will most likely see that the drink is good for 18-24 months. 

But as with most foods and drinks, this is the manufacturer’s estimation of how long the drink will maintain its best qualities. This is why it is probably safe to drink Red Bull when it is 6-9 months past the printed date. 

There may be two reasons why unopened Red Bull, and canned energy drinks in general, last so long. Firstly, you know that Red Bull isn’t all-natural, don’t you? It contains preservatives that make it shelf-stable. 

The second method that canned drink manufacturers may use is to sterilize the drink. This is done by exposing the drink to high temperatures when it’s ready.

High temperatures kill all bacteria in the drink which ensures its long shelf life. Once the drink is sterilized, it’s cooled and canned. 

How Long Does Red Bull Last Once Opened? 

Red Bull is at its best when you have just opened the can. It is a common practice to drink all of the fizzy beverage at once after you have opened it. 

However, if you find that the entire can of Red Bull contains too much caffeine or sugar for your liking, drinking half of it is more than reasonable. But can you drink the rest of Red Bull the following day?

You can store an opened can of Red Bull in the fridge and drink it within 2-4 days. The sooner you drink it the better will it taste as the drink gradually loses its flavor and fizz once you open it. 

What Is The Best Way To Store Red Bull? 

So, unopened Red Bull has a very long shelf life and may be consumed even when it is past its expiration date. But this is true only when you store Red Bull correctly. 

You have probably noticed that some stores sell Red Bull refrigerated while others don’t. This means that you can store Red Bull both in the fridge and at room temperature.

Store Red Bull in the fridge if you like having your drink chilled. But if you don’t mind it being room temperature or you drink it with ice anyway, store it in the pantry or kitchen cabinet. 

There are three rules to follow. Firstly, Red Bull should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place.

Secondly, you shouldn’t store Red Bull somewhere where the temperature fluctuates as this will affect the quality of the drink. And lastly, keep the can of Red Bull away from direct sunlight. 

As for opened Red Bull, you already know that you should keep it in the fridge. If you will be drinking the Red Bull within a few hours, you may store it in the fridge as is. But know that it will gradually lose its fizz. 

If you know the drink will sit in the fridge for a couple of days, we recommend you transfer it into a bottle with a lid to preserve its flavor and fizz. 

Can You Freeze Red Bull?

You can put Red Bull in the freezer for a few moments to chill it a little but you should never leave it there for too long. In fact, no carbonated drink should ever go into the freezer as there is a risk of it blowing up. 

This happens because when the water freezes, it expands. The can, being designed for less volume, isn’t able to fit the drink. The can pops and all you are left with is a messy freezer and lots of cleaning. 

If you are determined to freeze Red Bull but don’t know how the only option is to freeze it in ice cube trays.

When the drink is frozen, you can remove the ice cubes from the tray and transfer them into a zip-top plastic bag for easy access and convenient storage. 

Red Bull ice cubes will last very long. Whenever you need a boost of energy, you can put a couple of cubes in your juice if you feel like it.

This method will also prevent you from consuming the entire can of Red Bull while still enjoying its flavor. 

Signs That Red Bull Has Gone Bad

First off, if you have had an opened can of Red Bull, we recommend you don’t drink it if it has been sitting in your fridge for longer than recommended.

And even if it has been only 1-2 days but the drink has an off-putting smell or taste, discard the drink and open a new can. 

When it comes to unopened Red Bull, start with checking the expiration date of the drink. You will typically find it printed at the bottom of the can.

As we have already mentioned, Red Bull is good for consumption up to 9 months past the printed date. If it has been longer than that, it is best to buy a fresh can. 

If the Red Bull is still good according to the date printed on the can, you shouldn’t consume it if the can is swollen. 

The can of the energy drink can swell for two reasons and in both cases consuming the drink isn’t safe. 

First, the can may swell as a result of hydrogen gas being produced in it. This happens when the acidic compounds in the drink start to react with the metal walls of the can. As a result, the can expands. 

The second reason for a Red Bull can being swollen and indicating that the drink has gone bad is bacterial contamination. While Red Bull is shelf-stable, it may go bad as a result of improper shipping or storage conditions. 

Another sign that you should discard the can of Red Bull is discoloration and rusting around the cap. The part where you open the can may get damaged and the drink may leak. In case this happens, it’s no longer to drink the Red Bull. 

What Happens If You Drink Expired Red Bull? 

Drinking Red Bull that is 6-9 months past the printed date is not harmful so long as you have been storing it properly. 

However, we recommend you don’t consume Red Bull that has been expired for longer than that.

Not only does the expired drink lose its energy-boosting properties but it also undergoes flavor changes. Additionally, drinking Red Bull that has long been expired isn’t very safe. 

To avoid drinking expired Red Bull we recommend you always check the expiration date on the can before buying it. Also, don’t buy too many cans all at once if you don’t drink it regularly. 

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