Most energy drinks are loaded with sugar, which - when consumed regularly - can have severely negative side effects including heart problems, weight gain, tooth decay, and more. 

That's why it's best to avoid added sugar whenever possible, especially when you're a regular user of energy drinks, caffeine, etc. 

But are sugar-free energy drinks any better for you? 

According to this article from the Mayo Clinic:

"Sugar substitutes are sweeteners that you use instead of regular table sugar (sucrose). Artificial sweeteners are just one type of sugar substitute.

The topic of sugar substitutes can be confusing. One problem is that the terminology is often open to interpretation.

Some manufacturers call their sweeteners 'natural' even though they're processed or refined. Stevia preparations are one example. And some artificial sweeteners are derived from naturally occurring substances — sucralose comes from sugar."

Most artificial sweeteners are a better alternative to sugar for those aiming to prevent weight gain, since they add virtually zero calories.

Additionally, since artificial sweeteners don't have any carbohydrates, they won't raise blood sugar levels, which is ideal for those with diabetes. 

And in the context of energy drinks, most popular options like Monster and Red Bull are loaded with sugar, which leads to a sudden spike followed by a crash in sugar/energy levels.

A sugar-free energy drink that uses an artificial sweetener instead helps to avoid that problem. 

So if you're looking for an energy drink without the crash, opt for a sugar-free one like EarlyBird.

If you're looking for a sugar-free energy drink, it's probably because you're worried about maintaining your health (as you should). 

You wouldn't put crappy gasoline in an exotic sports car, so why would you fuel your body any differently?

That being said, we all need a pick-me-up once in a while, so if you're in the market for an energy drink, here's how to make sure you choose the healthiest option possible: 

Caffeine

The FDA recommends no more than 400mg of caffeine a day for a healthy adult, around four cups per day (a standard 8oz serving of coffee has 95mg of caffeine.) 

Energy drinks like Monster Redline are packed with caffeine, in some cases more than 300mg each. Consuming caffeine in excess can cause a range of problems like headaches, insomnia, anxiety, and the jitters, so choose a healthy energy drink with a sensible amount of caffeine. 

You should also consider your caffeine tolerance, as coffee vets can probably handle more than someone who rarely/never drinks caffeine. 

I like to have an energy drink with 100-200mg of caffeine per serving (EarlyBird has ~150mg, but you can add more or less powder to your shaker cup to adjust accordingly.) 

Sugar

Always look at your energy drink's sugar content. 

Mainstream energy drinks are loaded with sugar which, like I said above, is not good for you. First of all, it'll spike your blood sugar levels followed by a crash, leaving you feeling like you have less energy, not more. 

A healthy diet is one with minimal sugar intake, which is why EarlyBird doesn't have any added sugar. When looking for your next energy drink, choose one that's sugar-free, or that has as little sugar as possible. 

Extra Stuff

Energy drinks like Red Bull usually have some extra ingredients like Taurine, an amino acid that combines well with caffeine to boost energy. Others even have B Vitamins that help your body convert food into energy.