Energy drinks have become incredibly popular in recent years, with many people relying on them for an energy boost. But like any food or beverage, energy drinks do eventually expire and go bad. Heat can accelerate the expiration process by impacting the chemical composition of energy drinks. Here’s a look at how heat affects energy drinks and whether they go bad in hot temperatures.
Do energy drinks expire?
Yes, energy drinks do expire and have a limited shelf life. The exact shelf life depends on the specific brand and ingredients, but most have a shelf life of around 18-24 months from the manufacturing date. The expiration date is usually printed on the can or bottle. Once an energy drink reaches its expiration date, it is recommended to throw it out rather than drink it.
Why do energy drinks expire?
There are a few reasons why energy drinks eventually expire:
- Loss of carbonation – Energy drinks contain carbonated water, which will gradually lose its bubbly carbonation over time.
- Degradation of ingredients – Active ingredients like caffeine and vitamins can degrade in quality and effectiveness over time, especially when exposed to oxygen, light, or heat.
- Decline in taste – The flavors and sweeteners can begin to taste flat or off after prolonged storage.
- Bacterial growth – Once opened, energy drinks are susceptible to microbial growth from bacteria and fungi, which can spoil the drink.
Do energy drinks go bad in heat?
Yes, heat can definitely accelerate the expiration process and cause energy drinks to go bad more quickly. High temperatures speed up chemical reactions and can cause the ingredients in energy drinks to break down faster. Exposure to heat for prolonged periods can make energy drinks taste flat or stale and become less potent. The carbonation is especially vulnerable to heat. If an unopened energy drink is left in a hot car or environment for too long, it could potentially expire before the expiration date printed on the can or bottle.
How does heat affect energy drinks?
There are a few specific ways that heat impacts the quality and shelf life of energy drinks:
- Loss of carbonation – Heat causes carbon dioxide bubbles to escape more rapidly from carbonated beverages.
- Vitamin degradation – Heat can degrade vitamins like vitamin B12, causing nutritional content to decline.
- Altered flavor – High temperatures can cause subtle flavor changes or make drinks taste off or stale.
- Lower caffeine content – Studies show that caffeine content in some beverages can start to decline when stored in hot conditions.
At what temperature do energy drinks go bad?
There is no exact threshold temperature that immediately makes energy drinks expire or go bad. However, room temperature or cooler is best for preserving energy drinks and avoiding heat damage. Some general guidelines include:
- Ideally, store unopened energy drinks at or below room temperature, around 68-75°F (20-24°C). Refrigeration can extend shelf life further.
- Avoid leaving energy drinks in environments over 90°F (32°C) for prolonged periods of time before consuming.
- Leaving energy drinks in hot vehicles or direct sunlight can accelerate deterioration.
- If an energy drink ever tastes off after exposure to heat, it’s best to err on the side of caution and dispose of it.
How to tell if heat-damaged energy drinks are bad
Here are some signs that exposure to heat may have caused an energy drink to expire or go bad sooner than its expiration date:
- Flat or diminished carbonation
- Off tastes or flavors
- Altered or faded colors
- Separation, coagulation, or clumping of ingredients
- Mold growth around cap or seal
- Bulging or leaking can/bottle
Additionally, if an energy drink was left in a hot car for many hours or in direct sunlight, it may be wise to discard it even if no degradation signs are immediately visible.
Do diet/sugar-free energy drinks go bad faster in heat?
There is some evidence that diet or sugar-free energy drinks may degrade faster in hot conditions compared to their regular, sugar-sweetened counterparts. Artificial sweeteners like aspartame are sensitive to heat and more prone to breaking down at higher temperatures. The exact shelf life also depends on ingredients. For example, energy drinks sweetened with sucralose may last longer than those sweetened with aspartame when subjected to heat. But in general, diet or sugar-free energy drinks should be kept cool and consumed before their expiration date to ensure freshness and optimal flavor.
Tips for storing energy drinks in heat
Here are some tips for minimizing heat damage and extending the shelf life of energy drinks in hot environments:
- Purchase energy drinks in refrigerated coolers when possible and refrigerate them at home.
- Avoid storing energy drinks anywhere temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
- Keep unopened cans or bottles away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
- Don’t leave energy drinks in hot vehicles for prolonged periods.
- Check expiration dates and consume energy drinks within a few months of purchase.
- Once opened, reseal and refrigerate energy drinks to slow oxidization.
- Consider using a small cooler when taking energy drinks on hikes or to the beach.
How long do energy drinks last at room temperature?
If stored properly at room temperature, unopened energy drinks can typically last:
- 6-9 months past the manufacturing date before noticeable flavor degradation occurs.
- Up to 12 months past the manufacture date before the beverage is considered expired.
Once opened, energy drinks will go bad much faster – within 3-5 days if left at room temperature. For best quality, consider refrigerating opened energy drinks and consuming them within 1-2 days.
Of course, exact shelf life depends on the specific energy drink brand and ingredients. Some may last a few weeks less or more. But room temperature storage does shorten the shelf life significantly compared to refrigeration. Leaving energy drinks at room temperature also makes them more susceptible to heat damage if the room becomes hot for any period of time.
Do energy drinks last longer in the fridge?
Yes, refrigerating energy drinks can substantially prolong their shelf life and freshness. The cool temperatures help slow chemical reactions that cause ingredients like flavors, vitamins, and caffeine to degrade. Refrigeration also prevents rapid loss of carbonation. Here are some general guidelines for fridge storage:
- Unopened – Can last 24 months or more when refrigerated before expiring.
- Opened – Lasts 5-7 days in the fridge before significant degradation.
For the longest shelf life, store unopened energy drinks in the back of the fridge away from the door where temperatures fluctuate. Be sure to observe expiration or “best by” dates on the cans or bottles as well. Refrigeration can prolong shelf life but does not make energy drinks last indefinitely.
Do energy drinks expire faster in plastic bottles?
Energy drinks tend to have a longer shelf life in aluminum cans compared to plastic bottles. Aluminum better protects the drinks from oxygen, light, and heat – all factors that can accelerate deterioration. The differences in shelf life between cans and bottles include:
- Unopened in pantry – Cans last 18-24 months, plastic bottles last 12-18 months
- Refrigerated unopened – Cans last 24+ months, plastic bottles last 18-24 months
- Opened – Cans last 3-5 days, plastic bottles last 1-3 days
So while plastic bottle packaging is more portable, energy drinks stored in plastic will expire faster. Pay close attention to expiration dates on plastic bottles and refrigerate them after opening for maximum freshness.
Do expired energy drinks make you sick?
Consuming an expired energy drink is unlikely to cause serious illness in most people. However, degradation of ingredients can lead to some adverse effects like:
- Upset stomach
- Nausea
- Unpleasant taste
- Mild headache
- Loss of potency
Severe illness is very unlikely unless mold or bacteria has managed to grow in the beverage. To avoid unwanted side effects, it’s best to discard energy drinks once they are past their printed expiration date or if they have been subjected to prolonged heat exposure.
Can you freeze energy drinks?
Energy drinks can be frozen, which can extend their shelf life by 6-12 months if stored at 0°F or below. Freezing stops chemical reactions that cause the ingredients to degrade. However, freezing can impact the texture and carbonation once thawed. Make sure to leave room at the top of containers before freezing as liquids expand when frozen. Then thaw frozen energy drinks slowly in the refrigerator before consuming for best results.
Conclusion
In summary, heat can definitely accelerate the expiration process and cause energy drinks to go stale or lose their fizz and potency faster than normal. While an exact threshold temperature is hard to pinpoint, it’s ideal to store energy drinks at room temperature or cooler whenever possible. Refrigerating unopened cans or bottles can prolong freshness for up to 2 years. Once opened, energy drinks should be consumed within 3-5 days and are best stored chilled. Checking expiration dates, keeping energy drinks out of direct sun, and refrigerating after opening are the best ways to maximize shelf life. With proper storage methods, energy drinks can retain their quality and remain safe to consume for their intended shelf life, even in hot conditions.