Prime Energy (the carbonated drink) contains a high 200mg of caffeine per 355mL can, which is double the Australian legal limit for retail sale, making it unavailable through major Australian stores and only found via resellers. In contrast, Prime Hydration (the electrolyte drink) contains no caffeine, but has warnings for children under 15.
For most healthy adults, 200 mg of caffeine isn't a lot and falls within safe daily limits (around 400mg), but it's a significant single dose, roughly 2 cups of coffee, and for pregnant/breastfeeding individuals or sensitive people, it's the recommended daily limit. It can sharpen focus but consuming it too close to bedtime can affect sleep.
How much caffeine is in Prime? Prime Energy contains 140mg of caffeine per can, which is the equivalent of two cups of coffee or a double espresso.
Under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, it is illegal to sell energy drinks which contain more than 320 mg/L of caffeine. The most caffeinated energy drinks found were labelled GFUEL, Bang, and Raze Energy which contained 300 milligrams of caffeine in each 473ml can.
People are often surprised when they learn that the amount of caffeine in Coke or Diet Coke is much less than in the same-sized coffee. Coke's caffeine content is 34mg for a 12-oz can, and Diet Coke caffeine content is 46mg.
There's no single "number one" unhealthiest soda, as different ones rank poorly for different reasons (sugar, acidity, dyes), but Mountain Dew, Fanta Grape, and orange sodas often top lists due to high sugar, potent citric acid for enamel erosion, and potentially carcinogenic artificial dyes (like Red 40), making them particularly damaging for teeth and overall health, notes this article from Eat This, Not That! and this article from Fowler Orthodontics. Dark sodas (like Coke/Pepsi) are also very unhealthy due to sugar, caffeine, and caramel coloring, while clear sodas (Sprite/7Up) are generally less harmful but still packed with sugar, says this article from MEL Magazine.
The drink with the most caffeine depends on how you measure it, but specialized energy shots like DynaPep (over 700mg/oz) have the highest concentration, while bottled cold brew coffee (like Stumptown, ~295mg/10.5oz) or strong brewed drip coffee (up to ~195mg/8oz) often contain the most total caffeine in a standard serving, surpassing typical energy drinks or sodas, though some high-end coffee drinks with multiple espresso shots also reach high levels.
There's no single "number 1" healthiest energy drink, as it depends on your needs, but top contenders for healthier options use natural caffeine (green tea, coffee bean), minimal sugar/sweeteners (like stevia), and added benefits (electrolytes, adaptogens), with ZOA, Zevia, Nooma, Celsius, and Mati frequently cited for being cleaner alternatives to traditional drinks by avoiding artificial ingredients and offering functional nutrients.
What you can do to feel better
Prime Energy has a very high caffeine content and should be consumed only by adults who tolerate caffeine and have not already consumed a lot of it that day, as it may cause sleep disturbances, anxiety, jitters, digestive issues, or even heart palpitations.
The "2-hour coffee rule" suggests waiting 90 minutes to 2 hours after waking up to drink your first cup of coffee to optimize caffeine's effects, avoid interfering with your natural cortisol spike (which peaks shortly after waking), and potentially prevent afternoon energy crashes. This timing allows caffeine to work better when cortisol levels naturally drop and adenosine (the chemical that makes you sleepy) builds up, leading to better focus and alertness later in the day, though individual experiences vary.
Prime Energy contains 140mg of caffeine per 250ml can. That's nearly twice as much as a can of Red Bull (80mg per 250ml can) and more than four times as much as a can of Coca-Cola (34mg per 330ml can).
Regular use of more than 600 mg of caffeine a day might cause long-term effects such as sleep problems, thinning of bones and fractures, more anxiety, and stomach acidity. It can also increase blood pressure, and if you already have high blood pressure, it can get worse.
Go slowly: When it comes to cutting back on caffeine, gradual is the way to go. Saperstein recommends cutting back slowly over a 4- to 6-week period.
Caffeine can promote anxiety in several ways by: Blocking your ability to relax: When caffeine crosses into your brain, it binds itself to adenosine, a neurotransmitter that helps your body relax. When caffeine and adenosine connect, adenosine cannot do its job, leaving you feeling alert and possibly anxious.
There's no single "worst" energy drink, but those high in sugar and caffeine like Monster, Rockstar, and Red Bull are often cited due to risks of crashes, weight gain, and potential severe side effects (like seizures or heart issues in extreme cases) from excessive consumption, especially when mixed with alcohol. Drinks like 5-Hour Energy are also flagged for their concentrated stimulant load, despite being sugar-free, and even "healthier" ones still pack high caffeine.
Companies that align their strategies with these trends are well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for energy-boosting beverages.
Drink water, tea, or coffee (with little or no sugar). Limit milk/dairy (1-2 servings/day) and juice (1 small glass/day). Avoid sugary drinks. The more veggies — and the greater the variety — the better.
Excessive coffee consumption can lead to unwanted effects such as restlessness, tremors or tachycardia – however, caffeine poisoning is not to be expected in healthy adults with normal coffee consumption. The potentially fatal dose of caffeine for an adult is considered to be around 5 to 10 g.
Too much caffeine in children and teens can cause increased heart rate, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, anxiety, and lead to sleep problems, digestive problems and dehydration.
One to three cups a day was also linked to heart health benefits and lower mortality rates. But research also shows that high coffee consumption can increase your likelihood of dementia.
Caffeine is naturally found in coffee, tea, cocoa beans, and some plants like guarana. It may be added to energy drinks, colas, and some sports or weight-loss supplements. Coffee has the highest caffeine content, with 90 mg per 200 ml cup of brewed coffee. Espresso has around 80 mg per 60 ml.
Up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine a day seems safe for most adults. That's about the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola or two "energy shot" drinks. Keep in mind that the caffeine content in drinks varies widely.
Coffee is a mild diuretic. But it probably won't make you dehydrated — especially if you're a regular coffee drinker and you limit yourself to less than 400 mg of caffeine per day. For most healthy adults, coffee is fine to enjoy regularly. And it can even contribute toward your total water intake for the day.