Demystifying the Health Claims: Is there ethanol in energy drinks?

October 9, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2009 study, nearly 90% of energy drinks tested contained low, non-intoxicating concentrations of ethanol, sparking widespread confusion among consumers. This finding leads many to question: Is there ethanol in energy drinks, and what are the real implications for a healthy nutrition diet?

Quick Summary

This article explores the question of ethanol content in energy drinks, revealing that while trace, negligible amounts can occur, these beverages are non-alcoholic. It clarifies the sources of trace ethanol, contrasts standard energy drinks with high-risk alcoholic versions, and outlines why the main nutritional concerns are high sugar and caffeine.

Key Points

Trace Ethanol Exists: Scientific studies have detected very low, non-intoxicating concentrations of ethanol in many standard energy drinks, often due to flavorings.
Not an Alcoholic Beverage: The amount of ethanol is negligible and these drinks are legally classified as non-alcoholic, providing no intoxicating effect.
Source of Confusion: Widespread confusion comes from the practice of mixing energy drinks with alcohol, a dangerous habit separate from the drink's natural composition.
False Breathalyzer Readings: The trace ethanol can cause a false positive on portable breathalyzers for a short period (around 15 minutes) after consumption.
Negligible Nutritional Factor: The trace ethanol is not a significant nutritional factor; the real health concerns are the high levels of sugar and caffeine in energy drinks.
Common in Many Foods: Trace ethanol is also naturally present in many other common foods, like fruit juices, ripe bananas, and bread.

The Hidden Presence of Trace Ethanol

When you crack open a can of your favorite energy drink, you expect a jolt of caffeine, taurine, and B vitamins—not alcohol. Yet, research has confirmed that trace amounts of ethanol can be found in many standard, non-alcoholic varieties. This isn't due to deliberate addition for intoxication but rather from the manufacturing process itself.

Most commercial energy drinks contain a complex mix of ingredients, including natural fruit juices and flavorings. These natural components can undergo a minor, unintended fermentation process during production or storage, resulting in the formation of minute ethanol quantities. These amounts are so small that they are considered negligible from an intoxicating standpoint and fall well below the legal threshold to be labeled as an alcoholic beverage. For perspective, studies found ethanol concentrations in these drinks to be in the milligrams per deciliter range, which is extremely low.

The Source of Natural Ethanol

To put the trace ethanol in energy drinks into context, it is helpful to realize that many common foods and drinks we consume daily contain naturally occurring ethanol. These low levels are a result of fermentation by yeast or other microorganisms during ripening or processing.

Ripe Fruits: A ripe banana can contain up to 0.4% alcohol by volume (ABV), while very ripe fruit can contain even more.
Fruit Juices: Apple, orange, and grape juice can have trace amounts of ethanol due to fermentation that occurs after harvesting and during processing.
Breads: Baked goods, especially rye bread and burger rolls, contain ethanol as a byproduct of yeast fermentation.
Yogurt and Kefir: Fermented dairy products like kefir can contain low levels of ethanol from the fermentation of milk sugars.

These natural sources demonstrate that the human body is accustomed to processing trace ethanol, and the minuscule amount found in a standard energy drink is not a cause for concern regarding intoxication.

Standard vs. Alcoholic Energy Drinks: A Critical Distinction

The confusion about ethanol in energy drinks largely stems from a separate, and more concerning, category of beverages: pre-mixed alcoholic energy drinks. Popular brands like Four Loko, which initially sold caffeinated alcoholic beverages, created a wave of controversy due to the dangerous combination of alcohol and high levels of stimulants. The stimulating effects of caffeine can mask the depressant effects of alcohol, leading individuals to consume more alcohol than they normally would and engage in risky behaviors.

Public outcry and FDA warnings ultimately led to the reformulation or removal of these pre-mixed products from the market. However, this didn't stop people from mixing their own drinks, a practice that continues to pose serious health risks. It is crucial to understand that standard energy drinks, sold in most stores, do not contain alcohol. The products that do are a separate, and often clearly labeled, category intended for adult consumption.

How Trace Ethanol Affects Breathalyzer Tests

Despite the negligible amounts of ethanol, a fascinating implication of the 2009 study involves law enforcement. The trace alcohol lingering in the mouth after consuming an energy drink can cause a temporary false positive reading on a portable breathalyzer test. This occurs because the device is measuring alcohol vapor in the mouth, not the blood.

Immediate Consumption: The risk of a false positive is highest in the first 60 seconds after finishing the drink.
Fifteen-Minute Wait: A study demonstrated that waiting at least 15 minutes after drinking an energy drink resulted in zero false positives on police station-grade breathalyzers. The waiting period allows any mouth alcohol to dissipate completely.
Multiple Factors: Beyond energy drinks, several other substances can cause transient false readings, including certain types of mouthwash, cough syrups, and even ripe fruit consumed minutes before the test.

This phenomenon highlights the sensitivity of breathalyzers and underscores the importance of a proper observation period before testing.

Energy Drinks and Your Nutritional Diet

From a nutritional standpoint, the minimal trace ethanol in energy drinks is the least of your concerns. The primary issues for a healthy diet are the significant amounts of sugar and high levels of caffeine, which can lead to various health problems.


Feature	Standard Energy Drink	Healthy Alternative (e.g., Green Tea)
Ethanol Content	Trace, negligible amounts from flavoring.	Trace, negligible amounts from natural fermentation.
Caffeine	High, typically 70-200 mg per serving, sometimes more.	Moderate, generally 25-50 mg per cup.
Sugar	Very high, with some brands containing over 50 grams per can.	Minimal or none, depending on preparation.
Stimulants	Caffeine, Taurine, Guarana, Ginseng.	Caffeine, naturally occurring antioxidants.
Health Impact	Risk of heart palpitations, anxiety, weight gain, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes with high consumption.	Potential health benefits from antioxidants; generally safe in moderation.

Conclusion: Focus on What Truly Matters for Nutrition

While scientific studies confirm the presence of trace, non-intoxicating ethanol in many standard energy drinks, this is a negligible nutritional factor. The primary health concerns are the high sugar content and significant levels of caffeine. These ingredients, when consumed excessively, can contribute to weight gain, increased heart rate, and other adverse health outcomes. Furthermore, the practice of mixing alcoholic beverages with energy drinks, while unrelated to standard production, poses a far greater risk due to the masking of alcohol's sedative effects. For a sound nutrition diet, the focus should remain on overall consumption of sugar and stimulants, rather than minute traces of ethanol.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice.

Further Reading: For a detailed look at the study that brought this topic to light, you can review the abstract published by the Journal of Analytical Toxicology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not all, but many standard, non-alcoholic energy drinks may contain trace, non-intoxicating amounts of ethanol, often as a result of natural fermentation in fruit juice concentrates or flavorings.

No, the amount of ethanol present is extremely low and considered negligible. It is not sufficient to cause intoxication or any alcohol-related effects.

This is likely due to the past marketing of pre-mixed alcoholic energy drinks, as well as the risky practice of mixing standard energy drinks with hard liquor, which can mask the feeling of being intoxicated.

Drinking an energy drink can cause a temporary false positive reading on a portable breathalyzer due to 'mouth alcohol.' This effect dissipates within 15 minutes, which is why law enforcement officers typically wait before administering a test.

The primary active ingredients in energy drinks are stimulants like caffeine, taurine, and guarana. They also contain B vitamins and are often high in sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Yes, the trace amounts of ethanol are typically a byproduct of natural fermentation that occurs in flavorings or fruit juices used in the beverage. Similar trace amounts are found in many everyday foods like ripe fruit and bread.

The main nutritional concerns are the high levels of sugar, which can contribute to weight gain and type 2 diabetes, and high doses of caffeine, which can cause anxiety, heart palpitations, and other health issues, especially with excessive consumption.