Key findings
- 1Taurine was first isolated from ox bile in 1827 (hence the bull branding), but all taurine in Red Bull today is industrially synthesized
- 2Red Bull was adapted from Krating Daeng, a Thai energy tonic
- 3Of the 24 Red Bull products we score, 3 are Level 4 (ultra-processed) and 19 are Level 3
- 4A cup of black tea provides caffeine from a single ingredient, with no added sugar or synthetic additives
What goes into Red Bull products?
Red Bull began as an adaptation of Krating Daeng, a Thai energy tonic, carbonated and sweetened for Western markets. The name "Red Bull" is a direct translation of "Krating Daeng" (red gaur, a large Southeast Asian bovine). Taurine was first isolated from ox bile in 1827 (taurus is Latin for bull), but the taurine in energy drinks today is made synthetically. The caffeine is also synthetic rather than extracted from coffee or tea. The label lists sucrose and glucose (or aspartame and acesulfame K in the sugar-free version), citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, added B vitamins and colors.
How 24 red bull products break down
Share of products at each processing level, in our analysis.
Red Bull brand comparison
From least to most processed in our database.
How to read a red bull label
- 1
Taurine in modern Red Bull is synthetic; it is not extracted from bull bile despite the historical connection
- 2
B vitamins are added well above 100% of the daily value; the panel lists the exact percentages
- 3
Sugar-free Red Bull replaces sugar with aspartame and acesulfame K, two synthetic sweeteners
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Frequently asked questions
Does Red Bull contain actual bull bile?
No. Taurine was first isolated from ox bile in 1827, which inspired both the ingredient name and the brand name. All taurine in modern Red Bull is synthetic, manufactured through chemical processes, not extracted from animals.
Is Red Bull more or less processed than Monster?
Of the 24 Red Bull products we score, 3 are Level 4 (ultra-processed) and 19 are Level 3. Red Bull has a shorter ingredient list than most Monster flavors, but both use the same kinds of industrial ingredients: synthetic caffeine, synthetic taurine, added sweeteners and colors. Search Monster to see its products' own scores.
Is Red Bull Sugar Free better than regular?
Red Bull Sugar Free removes the sugar and uses aspartame and acesulfame potassium instead. Swapping one sweetener for another does not make a drink less processed; the rest of the formula is the same.