# "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:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**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, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/21 "2009-06-18T17:13:36Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > The label “energy drink” 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. In other words, “energy” as it’s understood from the label just means “stimulant drink”. 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. Poking around, I did see some (totally uncorroborated) opinion to a similar question posed to the internet at large that said it had to do with the shelf-life of the various vitamins and minerals. In any case there is a drink called [Chi3](http://www.energydrinkinfo.org/) that also says it should be consumed within three days of opening. From the linked site: [quote] Chi3 Energy claims that it scientifically formulated to deliver smooth, long-lasting energy. Metabolism-enhancing B-vitamins and mind-nourishing amino acids are skillfully combined with a healthy splash of green tea and a full ounce of our proprietary GoChi to give you just the right lift.So… what? Exposure to air messes up the B vitamins and amino acids? ---
**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, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/22 "2009-06-18T17:15:10Z")
> [@swallowed my cellphone](#): > > so… What? Exposure to air messes up the b vitamins and amino acids? Don’t question! Just drink! Drink now! Quickly, you’re wasting valuable drinking time! ---
**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, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/23 "2009-06-18T18:35:36Z")
I’d go with “marketing ploy” here. The actual degradation in 72 hours is probably measurable but unimportant (especially in view of the fact that you can likely get along just fine without anything that’s in the energy drink). Yet the notion of a quick expiration sounds like you’re dealing with some real cutting-edge nutrition effects - must be better than something that can lay around for many days. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/24 "2009-06-18T18:42:27Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Don’t question! Just drink! Drink now! Quickly, you’re wasting valuable drinking time! Apply directly to forehead! ---
**Author:** ![dzeiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@dzeiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzeiger)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/25 "2009-06-18T18:55:49Z")
Might it be just a general disclaimer about mold/bacteria/other nasties that might grow in an opened bottle of liquid? ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/26 "2009-06-18T18:57:14Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Don’t question! Just drink! Drink now! Quickly, you’re wasting valuable drinking time! Brawndo has electrolytes. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/27 "2009-06-18T19:24:26Z")
> [@lost4life](#): > > Brawndo has electrolytes. And Mongo just pawn in game of life 😃 ---
**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, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/28 "2009-06-18T20:18:57Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Apply directly to forehead! No, no, you’re doing it wrong! Aim about six inches lower. > [@dzeiger](#): > > Might it be just a general disclaimer about mold/bacteria/other nasties that might grow in an opened bottle of liquid? Then it would probably be “refrigerate after opening,” not “use within XYZ amount of time.” > [@lost4life](#): > > Brawndo has electrolytes. It’s what plants crave! ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/29 "2009-06-18T22:19:24Z")
Caffeine is more than a stimulant. Studies done over many years show that it frees your fatty acids, allowing your body to use more fat for energy and preserve your glucose. [http://www.drmirkin.com/fitness/1270.html](http://www.drmirkin.com/fitness/1270.html) ---
**Author:** ![BigNik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/73ab20/32.png) [@BigNik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigNik)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/30 "2009-06-18T23:34:41Z")
Some time back I opened a bottle of a fairly sugary “energy” drink, but I needed to leave shortly afterward. I recapped the remainder and stuck it in the fridge. When I came back to it a few days later, the drink that I was expecting to taste like raspberry-flavoured boiled lollies was undrinkably bitter. I know not these “energy shots” of which you speak, but could it be a taste thing? ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_Dubinsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dbc845/32.png) [@Alex\_Dubinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Dubinsky)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/31 "2009-06-19T00:13:21Z")
[quote=“CC, post:7, topic:500091”] 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.QUOTE] A tub of lard labeled “energy paste” would be misleading. ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_Dubinsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dbc845/32.png) [@Alex\_Dubinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Dubinsky)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/32 "2009-06-19T01:08:47Z")
> [@dzeiger](#): > > Might it be just a general disclaimer about mold/bacteria/other nasties that might grow in an opened bottle of liquid? Probably something is sensitive to oxygen. ---
**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 19, 2009, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/33 "2009-06-19T14:44:57Z")
> [@Alex\_Dubinsky](#): > > A tub of lard labeled “energy paste” would be misleading. What’s that?! Energy paste?! My god man, quickly, tell me where I can purchase this miraculous product! ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091/34 "2009-06-19T19:26:57Z")
The ingredients include caffeine, which certainly can boost your energy, especially in endurance events, and B vitamins, which are necessary to synthesize ATP. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-shot-drinks-use-or-discard-within-72-hours-of-opening-why/500091.md?page=1)