# "Energy Shot" drinks - Use or discard within 72 hours of opening. Why? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 17, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091 "2009-06-17T17:21:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Weird\_AL\_Einstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c67d28/32.png) [@Weird\_AL\_Einstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weird_AL_Einstein)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/1 "2009-06-17T17:21:02Z")
With Rockstar Energy Shot it’s actually 48 hours, but I’m given to understand it’s 72 hours with a lot of other brands. So…why do they say that? Is it just a gimmick to sell more product, or is there a good reason for it? What would happen to me if I drank some 7 days after opening it? ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/2 "2009-06-17T17:34:55Z")
All the \*\*\*awesome \*\*\*leaks out. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/3 "2009-06-17T17:59:29Z")
Well here is a list of the ingredients: (Rockstar Energy Drink) Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, citric acid, taurine, natural and artificial flavors, guarana seed extract, ascorbic acid, caramel color, sodium benzoate (preservative), potassium sorbate (preservative), caffeine, niacinamide, inositol, l-carnitine, milk thistle extract, ginkgo biloba leaf extract, calcium pantothenate, siberian ginseng root extract, cyanocobalamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride. Looks to me like your standard cola ingredients plus some (probably small) amount of “herbs and spices” - milk thistle extract and so on. Someone wiser may know whether any of those things can actually go bad upon contact with air but my guess is that you’d get flat nasty-tasting cola if you let it sit around after opening. ---
**Author:** ![Weird\_AL\_Einstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c67d28/32.png) [@Weird\_AL\_Einstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weird_AL_Einstein)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/4 "2009-06-17T18:27:53Z")
I’m not talking about the energy _drink_, I’m talking about the energy _shot_. Two different products. The energy shot is much more concentrated and not a cola, not carbonated. And the energy shot is the thing that has this warning I’m talking about. ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/5 "2009-06-17T22:00:53Z")
The cynic in me wants to suggest that it’s a way that the company can move a lot of product. If you can’t let it sit, you’ll just have to have a lot on hand. If there’s any health concern, it MAY be with the sugar, since sugar water starts to get pretty funky after a few days. I would assume the slight amount of acid in the mix would preclude that, but if not, then concern for mold, etc. might be behind such a warning. xo, C. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/6 "2009-06-17T22:32:02Z")
Here’s a list of [ingredients](http://www.rockstar69.com/productIngredients.php?pdt=11) from the website. Maybe something will evaporate? ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/7 "2009-06-17T22:43:39Z")
So, there are no carbohydrates or fats in your substance, according to the list of ingredients above, and tiny amounts of materials that could be protein. As such, there’s virtually nothing in there that can even PROVIDE any energy, so the name of the product, or the label contending that it is an “energy drink” is misleading, at the very least. It does have caffeine, a pretty good stimulant, and maybe some of those other substances are also stimulants (haven’t spent any time looking them up), but on that basis alone, I’d say you have enough to save your money for something else. Not an answer to your question, but more info for the vault. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/8 "2009-06-18T01:47:08Z")
> [@CC](#): > > … there’s virtually nothing in there that can even PROVIDE any energy, so the name of the product, or the label contending that it is an “energy drink” is misleading, at the very least. It does have caffeine, a pretty good stimulant … That’s the usual dodge: “Okay, it doesn’t actually offer any energy, but you’ll _feel_ like you have more energy because it stimulates the body’s energy stores …” or some such. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/9 "2009-06-18T02:59:39Z")
> [@CC](#): > > … As such, there’s virtually nothing in there that can even PROVIDE any energy… That’s because they don’t label the _secret_ ingredient. That would be like revealing the secret Coke formula.😉 ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/10 "2009-06-18T03:36:57Z")
> [@CC](#): > > So, there are no carbohydrates or fats in your substance, according to the list of ingredients above, and tiny amounts of materials that could be protein. As such, there’s virtually nothing in there that can even PROVIDE any energy, so the name of the product, or the label contending that it is an “energy drink” is misleading, at the very least. It does have caffeine, a pretty good stimulant, and maybe some of those other substances are also stimulants (haven’t spent any time looking them up), but on that basis alone, I’d say you have enough to save your money for something else. Not an answer to your question, but more info for the vault. That’s a rather pedantic approach. Caffeine, probably more than any other legal substance, makes you _feel_ energetic. Generally speaking eating does the opposite, and if you need to feel energetic for something (eg, a sporting event), the last thing you want to do is fill up your stomach. ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/11 "2009-06-18T13:28:00Z")
Don’t wish to turn this into a debate, but the term “energy food,” or “energy drink” implies a source of energy. I’ve never heard anyone refer to coffee as an energy drink. By the same token, I’ve never heard anyone refer to decongestant medicines, or asthma inhalers as energy medicines, just because they contain ephedrine or pseudephedrine, or some other stimulant. The names of products is, indeed, a significant indication of what the sellers want you to believe, not what is actually true. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/12 "2009-06-18T14:47:23Z")
**CC** , have you been looking at marketing recently? Just about every “energy” drink out there is loaded with stimulants like caffeine, not things that your body can convert to energy to do work. ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/13 "2009-06-18T14:54:22Z")
Why is high-fructose corn syrup not considered a carbohydrate in the nutrition facts \*\*Markxxx \*\*linked to? ETA: Never mind, those were for the shot, the ingredients listed were for the drink. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/14 "2009-06-18T15:06:35Z")
> [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](#): > > Why is high-fructose corn syrup not considered a carbohydrate in the nutrition facts \*\*Markxxx \*\*linked to? > > ETA: Never mind, those were for the shot, the ingredients listed were for the drink. The “ingredients” list **Markxxx** linked to looks like it’s actually the nutritional label and not ingredients at all. Otherwise you’d expect to see at least ONE liquid listed. ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/15 "2009-06-18T15:18:57Z")
> [@CC](#): > > Don’t wish to turn this into a debate, but the term “energy food,” or “energy drink” implies a source of energy. I’ve never heard anyone refer to coffee as an energy drink. By the same token, I’ve never heard anyone refer to decongestant medicines, or asthma inhalers as energy medicines, just because they contain ephedrine or pseudephedrine, or some other stimulant. The names of products is, indeed, a significant indication of what the sellers want you to believe, not what is actually true. I like to call my nose candy “energy powder.” ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/16 "2009-06-18T15:44:22Z")
> [@CC](#): > > Don’t wish to turn this into a debate, but the term “energy food,” or “energy drink” implies a source of energy. No, it implies that it will make you feel energetic, regardless of through what biochemical processes. > [@](#): > > I’ve never heard anyone refer to coffee as an energy drink. By the same token, I’ve never heard anyone refer to decongestant medicines, or asthma inhalers as energy medicines, just because they contain ephedrine or pseudephedrine, or some other stimulant. The names of products is, indeed, a significant indication of what the sellers want you to believe, not what is actually true. From Wikipedia: > [@](#): > > Energy drinks are soft drinks advertised as providing energy to improve physical activity of the drinker, as compared to a typical drink. Rather than providing food energy (as measured in calories),[1] these drinks are designed to increase a user’s mental alertness and physical performance by the addition of caffeine, vitamins, and herbal supplements which may interact to provide a stimulant effect over and above that obtained from caffeine alone. You’re pretty much the only person who doesn’t seem to understand this. ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/17 "2009-06-18T15:53:53Z")
Now ya got me irritated. You either don’t understand what I said, or you’re looking for an argument. This is what you said: “From Wikipedia: Quote: Energy drinks are soft drinks advertised as providing energy…” That’s what I said. That should indicate to you that I am not the only one who understands that the labels on these drinks are intended to indicate to the consumer that the drink will provide energy. My work is done here. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/18 "2009-06-18T16:21:00Z")
**CC** , you’re the one looking for an argument, as far as I can tell. If you want to complain about the terms that companies choose to promote their products, go start a Pit thread about it. Don’t come in to a thread asking why “energy shot” drinks expire after opening and say that they’re clearly a stupid purchase because they don’t actually provide energy. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/19 "2009-06-18T16:48:56Z")
The label “energy” merely means the shot will provide the kick to your system to help you better make use of the energy already stored in your body, as fat for example. I’m not saying that is right, it’s kind of like advertising a “June White Sale,” and then finding out June White died and they’re selling off her stuff. But as for the OP question, I don’t see anything in the ingredients that need to be used ASAP, UNLESS it could evaporate. An energy shot is so small (2.5 ounces), I can’t see why you wouldn’t drink it all anyway. It’s like getting a shot of espresso as opposed to a cup of coffee. You could easily sip a cup of coffee, but who was sip espresso when it’s so small to begin with? [Taurine](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine) seems to be the big ingredient in these type of shots. I reckon someone can deciper the link to the Wikipedia article on that, to see if there is something about Taruine that needs to be used ASAP ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/20 "2009-06-18T17:08:26Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > Here’s a list of [ingredients](http://www.rockstar69.com/productIngredients.php?pdt=11) from the website. Ah, it’s one of those low-calorie energy drinks. :dubious: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091.md?page=2)