Almost every time I fly Southwest Airlines I get a free can of Monster Lo-Carb Energy Drink. The little black can with the blue top has become a familiar fixture in my briefcase. Maybe that’s a good thing, maybe not. I’m not a doctor (so don’t construe this as medical advice). But, here is what I know of the health impact of Monster:

Ingredients
Carbonated Water:
“as harmless as regular water…While the [potential for dental erosion] of sparkling water is greater than still water, levels remain low.”
Glucose:
“simple sugar”
Citric Acid:
“excessive consumption is capable of eroding tooth enamel”
Taurine:
“has been shown to be effective in removing fatty liver deposits in rats, preventing liver disease, and reducing cirrhosis in tested animals. There is also evidence that taurine is beneficial for adult human blood pressure…There is an indication that taurine (2 g/day) has some function in the maintenance and possibly in the induction of psoriasis.”
Sodium Citrate: (Tri, as the type is not specified)
“citrate can perform as a buffering agent, resisting changes in pH. Sodium citrate is used to control acidity in some substances, [and] can be found in the mini milk containers used with coffee machines.”
Panax Ginseng Root Extract:
“According to a Sports Nutrition FAQ published by UMass Amherst, one of P. ginseng’s most common side-effects is the inability to sleep. However, other sources state that ginseng causes no sleep difficulties Other side-effects can include nausea, diarrhea, euphoria, headaches, epistaxis, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, and mastalgia.”
Caffeine:
A more thorough discussion of caffeine will come later. Suffice it to say I am not caffeine adverse, as long as it is not ingested within a few hours prior to sleep.
Sorbic Acid:
“prevent the growth of mold, yeast and fungi.”
Sucralose:
“Results from over 100 animal and clinical studies in the FDA approval process unanimously indicated a lack of risk associated with sucralose intake.[4] However, some adverse effects were seen at doses that significantly exceeded the estimated daily intake (EDI), which is 1.1 mg/kg/day.”
Benzoic Acid:
“For humans, the WHO’s International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) suggests a provisional tolerable intake would be 5 mg/kg body weight per day.”
L-Carnitine:
“L-Carnitine improved glucose disposal among 15 patients with type II diabetes and 20 healthy volunteers. The use of carnitine showed some promise in a controlled trial in selected cases of male infertility improving sperm quality. Although L-Carnitine has been marketed as a weight-loss supplement, there is no scientific evidence to date to show that it improves weight loss.”
Niacinamide:
“Nicotinamide has demonstrated anti-inflammatory actions which may be of benefit in patients with inflammatory skin conditions. Nicotinamide is a water-soluble vitamin and is part of the vitamin B group.”
Acesulfame Potassium:
“Critics of the use of acesulfame potassium say the chemical has not been studied adequately and may be carcinogenic, although these claims have been dismissed by the US FDA and by equivalent authorities in the European Union. Acesulfame K has been shown to stimulate insulin secretion in rats in a dose-dependent fashion thereby possibly aggravating reactive hypoglycemia (”low blood sugar attacks”). Rodent studies have shown no increased incidence of tumors in response to administration of acesulfame K.”
Sodium Chloride:
“table salt”
Glucuronol Actone:
“is an important structural component of nearly all connective tissues.”
Inositol:
“Some preliminary results of studies on high dose inositol supplements show promising results for people suffering from problems such as bulimia, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and unipolar and bipolar depression.”
Guarana Seed Extract:
“Preliminary research has shown guarana may affect how quickly the body perceives itself to be full. One study showed an average 11.2 pound (5.1 kilogram) weight loss in a group taking a mixture of yerba mate, guarana, and damiana, compared to an average one pound loss in a placebo group after 45 days.”
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride:
“Vitamin B6″
Riboflavin:
“Vitamin B2″
Maltodextrin:
“Maltodextrin is easily digestible, being absorbed as rapidly as glucose”
Cyanocobalamin:
“one of the chemicals in the B-12 family”
(sources for all quotes: Wikipedia)

The takeaway is the same takeaway with almost any food product: “in moderation.”

I suspect that a large number of food products have studies that show both its beneficial impact on the body, and its harmful impact on the body. The general result - don’t overindulge.

Five Hour Energy regularly boasts in advertisements that the product does not contain sugar. At less than 30 calories, I’m guessing Lo-Carb Monster does not contain much either. Rather, Five Hour Energy is rumored to work on a Vitamin-B overload. Based upon the range of B vitamins, it appears that Monster is similar.

That brings up the topic of kidney stones. The grape vine indicates that Monster can cause kidney stones. This would likely be caused by excessive quantities of vitamins. Without sufficient water, the kidneys get overworked, and become unable to flush the excess material out.

Another takeaway: “Drink plenty of water.”

Seems a closed case to me. Monster Lo-Carb Energy is a reasonable alternative to coffee, assuming it is taken in moderation and that the consumer drinks appropriate amounts of water on a regular basis.