In this post, we take a close look at the ingredients in sugar free Spider Energy in comparison to similar products from Monster Energy and Rockstar Energy. Our deep-dive comparison includes the ingredients used, their function, and whether any of these are better for people trying to avoid certain ingredients.

1. Another edition of Green-Eyed Insight
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2. ~ what we’re comparing ~
•Ingredient Line (deep dive)
• Which ingredients are used, and why?
• How similar are the ingredients?
•Bottom Line and Biggest
Differences
• Are any of them better or worse for people trying
to avoid certain ingredients?
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3. INGREDIENT LINE DEEP DIVE
• Ingredient Order
• Caffeine Content
• Vitamin Dosage
• Other Actives (guarana, carnitine, ginseng,
etc.)
• Sweetness Profile
• Other ingredients (colors, thickeners,
preservatives, etc.)
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4. FIRST – Let’s look at
the Ingredients Lists
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Lighter Spider Energy - Sugar Free Widow Maker Berry Bite
CARBONATED WATER, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, SODIUM CITRATE, TAURINE,
CARAMEL COLOR, CAFFFEINE, POTASSIUM BENZOATE, PANAX GINSENG EXTRACT,
GREEN TEA EXTRACT, GUARANA SEED EXTRACT, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME
POTASSIUM, L-CARNITINE, L-GLUTAMINE, NIACINAMIDE (VITAMIN B3), CALCIUM
PANTOTHENATE (VITAMIN B5) PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6),
RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), AND CYANOCOBALAMIN (VITAMIN B12)
CARBONATED WATER, CITRIC ACID, ERYTHRITOL, TAURINE, SODIUM CITRATE,
VEGETABLE JUICE (COLOR), BENZOIC ACID, CAFFEINE, FRUIT JUICE (COLOR),
ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, GLUCURONOLACTONE, SUCRALOSE, SORBIC ACID,
PANTOTHENIC ACID, NIACINAMIDE, INOSITOL, NATURAL FLAVOR, MILK THISTLE
EXTRACT, GUM ARABIC, ESTER GUM, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE, PANAX
GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT, GUARANA SEED EXTRACT, RED CABBAGE EXTRACT
(COLOR), CYANOCOBALAMIN.
Rockstar Pure Zero – Zero Calorie Punched
CARBONATED WATER, CITRIC ACID, TAURINE, ERYTHRITOL, SODIUM CITRATE, PANAX
GINSENG EXTRACT, POTASSIUM SORBATE, CAFFEINE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM,
SODIUM BENZOATE, SUCRALOSE, D-CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE (VIT B5), GUM
ARABIC, NIACINAMIDE (VIT B3), NATURAL FLAVORS, SALT, ESTER GUM, L-CARNITINE
L-TARTRATE, GUARANA EXTRACT, D-GLUCURONOLACTONE, INOSITOL, PYRIDOXINE
HYDROCHLORIDE (VIT B6), RED #40, BLUE #1, CYANOCOBALAMIN (VIT B12)
Monster Energy Ultra Red

6. Ingredient Line Deep Dive
~Let’s look at the order~
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Lighter Spider Energy - Sugar Free Widow Maker Berry Bite
CARBONATED WATER, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, SODIUM CITRATE, TAURINE, CARAMEL COLOR,
CAFFFEINE, …..
CARBONATED WATER, CITRIC ACID, ERYTHRITOL, TAURINE, SODIUM CITRATE, VEGETABLE JUICE (COLOR),
BENZOIC ACID, CAFFEINE, …
Rockstar Pure Zero – Zero Calorie Punched
CARBONATED WATER, CITRIC ACID, TAURINE, ERYTHRITOL, SODIUM CITRATE, PANAX GINSENG EXTRACT,
POTASSIUM SORBATE, CAFFEINE, …
Monster Energy Ultra Red
• All three of them have carbonated water and citric acid as the first and
second ingredients
• All three of them have caffeine as the seventh or eighth ingredient
• Spider is the only one with flavor higher on the list than caffeine
• (which means it has more flavor than caffeine)
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7. Ingredient Line Deep Dive
~ Let’s look at CAFFEINE content ~
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Spider Energy and this particular flavor *of
Rockstar both have 240 mg caffeine per can.
This particular Monster Energy *has 140 mg
caffeine per can.
(Though it’s REALLY hard to read!)
NOTE – not all Rockstar and Monster flavors have the
same amount, but the amount of caffeine in Spider
Energy is consistent across all flavors

8. Ingredient Line Deep Dive
~ Let’s look at VITAMIN content ~
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Vitamin Function Rockstar Monster Spider
(B2)
Riboflavin
Participates in metabolism of both
glucose and fatty acids
-- -- 100%
(B3) Niacin Participates in over 200 reactions,
most of them involving production
of chemical energy (ATP)
100% 100% 100%
(B5)
Pantothenic
Acid
Shuttles carbs, fats and protein to
the place they’re converted to
energy
100% 100% 100%
B6 Major player in protein metabolism 100% 100% 200%
B12 Crucial for production of healthy
cells and effective DNA synthesis
100% 100% 250%

9. Ingredient Line Deep Dive
~ Let’s look at other actives ~
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Active Function Spid
er
Rocks
tar
Mon
ster
Taurine Naturally occurring amino acid that helps the body digest fats; fight
bloat; and regulate the electrolytes going in/out of the heart
X X X
Ginseng
Extract
Has a reputation for treating a variety of ailments, but evidence is
lacking. Somewhat-reliable evidence for ginseng is with blood sugar
management
X X X
Green Tea
Extract
Green tea-caffeine combo increases fat breakdown and utilization for
energy (at rest); Green tea-caffeine combo is significantly more
effective for weight loss and BMI improvement than caffeine alone
X / /
Guarana Another natural source of caffeine; improves cognitive performance,
mental fatigue and mood
X X X
Carnitine Naturally occurring amino acid that helps the body digest fats; removes
cellular waste to keep site of metabolism clean and efficient
X / X
Glutamine Amino acid naturally occurring and abundant in the body; important
player in keeping immune system strong
X / /
Glucuronol
actone
(As its alter-ego, glucuronic acid), helps the body remove chemical and
bacterial toxins by making them easier to remove from the body
/ X X
Inositol Naturally occurring and abundant in the body; helps the body with
signal chain-reactions; helps reduce depression and insomnia
/ X X
Milk Thistle Helps the liver clean and detoxify the blood / X /

10. Ingredient Line Deep Dive
~ Let’s look at sweetness profiles ~
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Lighter Spider Energy – Sugar Free Widow Maker
Berry Bite
SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM,
ERYTHRITOL, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, SUCRALOSE,
Rockstar Pure Zero – Zero Calorie Punched
ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, SUCRALOSE,
Monster Energy Ultra Red
All three use artificial sweeteners Acesulfame Potassium (aka “Ace-K”) & Sucralose.
This particular flavor of Rockstar also uses erythritol, which is a sugar alcohol like the
ones used in sugar free gum. Erythritol actually fights dental caries too.

11. Ingredient Line Deep Dive
~ Let’s look at Other Ingredients ~
(colors, thickeners, preservatives, etc.)
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Lighter Spider Energy - Sugar Free Widow Maker Berry Bite
CARBONATED WATER, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, SODIUM CITRATE, TAURINE,
CARAMEL COLOR, CAFFFEINE, POTASSIUM BENZOATE, PANAX GINSENG EXTRACT,
GREEN TEA EXTRACT, GUARANA SEED EXTRACT, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME
POTASSIUM, L-CARNITINE, L-GLUTAMINE, NIACINAMIDE (VITAMIN B3), CALCIUM
PANTOTHENATE (VITAMIN B5) PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6),
RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), AND CYANOCOBALAMIN (VITAMIN B12)
CARBONATED WATER, CITRIC ACID, ERYTHRITOL, TAURINE, SODIUM CITRATE,
VEGETABLE JUICE (COLOR), BENZOIC ACID, CAFFEINE, FRUIT JUICE (COLOR),
ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, GLUCURONOLACTONE, SUCRALOSE, SORBIC ACID,
PANTOTHENIC ACID, NIACINAMIDE, INOSITOL, NATURAL FLAVOR, MILK THISTLE
EXTRACT, GUM ARABIC, ESTER GUM, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE, PANAX
GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT, GUARANA SEED EXTRACT, RED CABBAGE EXTRACT
(COLOR), CYANOCOBALAMIN.
Rockstar Pure Zero – Zero Calorie Punched
CARBONATED WATER, CITRIC ACID, TAURINE, ERYTHRITOL, SODIUM CITRATE, PANAX
GINSENG EXTRACT, POTASSIUM SORBATE, CAFFEINE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM,
SODIUM BENZOATE, SUCRALOSE, D-CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE (VIT B5), GUM
ARABIC, NIACINAMIDE (VIT B3), NATURAL FLAVORS, SALT, ESTER GUM, L-CARNITINE
L-TARTRATE, GUARANA EXTRACT, D-GLUCURONOLACTONE, INOSITOL, PYRIDOXINE
HYDROCHLORIDE (VIT B6), RED #40, BLUE #1, CYANOCOBALAMIN (VIT B12)
Monster Energy Ultra Red
Lighter Spider Energy - Sugar Free Widow Maker Berry Bite
CARBONATED WATER, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, SODIUM CITRATE, TAURINE,
CARAMEL COLOR, CAFFFEINE, POTASSIUM BENZOATE, PANAX GINSENG EXTRACT,
GREEN TEA EXTRACT, GUARANA SEED EXTRACT, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME
POTASSIUM, L-CARNITINE, L-GLUTAMINE, NIACINAMIDE (VITAMIN B3), CALCIUM
PANTOTHENATE (VITAMIN B5) PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6),
RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), AND CYANOCOBALAMIN (VITAMIN B12)
CARBONATED WATER, CITRIC ACID, ERYTHRITOL, TAURINE, SODIUM CITRATE,
VEGETABLE JUICE (COLOR), BENZOIC ACID, CAFFEINE, FRUIT JUICE (COLOR),
ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, GLUCURONOLACTONE, SUCRALOSE, SORBIC ACID,
PANTOTHENIC ACID, NIACINAMIDE, INOSITOL, NATURAL FLAVOR, MILK THISTLE
EXTRACT, GUM ARABIC, ESTER GUM, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE, PANAX
GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT, GUARANA SEED EXTRACT, RED CABBAGE EXTRACT
(COLOR), CYANOCOBALAMIN.
Rockstar Pure Zero – Zero Calorie Punched
CARBONATED WATER, CITRIC ACID, TAURINE, ERYTHRITOL, SODIUM CITRATE, PANAX
GINSENG EXTRACT, POTASSIUM SORBATE, CAFFEINE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM,
SODIUM BENZOATE, SUCRALOSE, D-CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE (VIT B5), GUM
ARABIC, NIACINAMIDE (VIT B3), NATURAL FLAVORS, SALT, ESTER GUM, L-CARNITINE
L-TARTRATE, GUARANA EXTRACT, D-GLUCURONOLACTONE, INOSITOL, PYRIDOXINE
HYDROCHLORIDE (VIT B6), RED #40, BLUE #1, CYANOCOBALAMIN (VIT B12)
Monster Energy Ultra Red

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Lighter Spider Energy - Sugar Free Widow Maker Berry Bite
CARBONATED WATER, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, SODIUM CITRATE, TAURINE,
CARAMEL COLOR, CAFFFEINE, POTASSIUM BENZOATE, PANAX GINSENG EXTRACT,
GREEN TEA EXTRACT, GUARANA SEED EXTRACT, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME
POTASSIUM, L-CARNITINE, L-GLUTAMINE, NIACINAMIDE (VITAMIN B3), CALCIUM
PANTOTHENATE (VITAMIN B5) PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6),
RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), AND CYANOCOBALAMIN (VITAMIN B12)
CARBONATED WATER, CITRIC ACID, ERYTHRITOL, TAURINE, SODIUM CITRATE,
VEGETABLE JUICE (COLOR), BENZOIC ACID, CAFFEINE, FRUIT JUICE (COLOR),
ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, GLUCURONOLACTONE, SUCRALOSE, SORBIC ACID,
PANTOTHENIC ACID, NIACINAMIDE, INOSITOL, NATURAL FLAVOR, MILK THISTLE
EXTRACT, GUM ARABIC, ESTER GUM, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE, PANAX
GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT, GUARANA SEED EXTRACT, RED CABBAGE EXTRACT
(COLOR), CYANOCOBALAMIN.
Rockstar Pure Zero – Zero Calorie Punched
CARBONATED WATER, CITRIC ACID, TAURINE, ERYTHRITOL, SODIUM CITRATE, PANAX
GINSENG EXTRACT, POTASSIUM SORBATE, CAFFEINE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM,
SODIUM BENZOATE, SUCRALOSE, D-CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE (VIT B5), GUM
ARABIC, NIACINAMIDE (VIT B3), NATURAL FLAVORS, SALT, ESTER GUM, L-CARNITINE
L-TARTRATE, GUARANA EXTRACT, D-GLUCURONOLACTONE, INOSITOL, PYRIDOXINE
HYDROCHLORIDE (VIT B6), RED #40, BLUE #1, CYANOCOBALAMIN (VIT B12)
Monster Energy Ultra Red

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Ingredient Which One? Function Notes
Citric Acid, Sodium
Citrate
All three Acidity
control
For preservation (and for a tart taste), citric acid
and sodium citrate keep the pH low (acidity high)
Flavors All Three Consumer
Acceptance
All three use natural flavors
Color All Three Consumer
Acceptance
Monster has artificial color
Rockstar uses THREE sources: fruit juice,
vegetable juice, and red cabbage
Spider uses caramel (burnt sugar)
Benzoate/ Benzoic
Acid; Sorbic Acid /
Sorbate
All Three Preservative
for acidic food
Prevents growth of microorganisms like yeast
and mold; used for preservation of sour food pH
4 and lower, often used with other preservatives
especially at low pH (acidic food)
Gums All but Spider Smooth
texture
There’s a lot of ingredients all dissolved into one
drink – gums help that mixture taste like one
homogenous fluid
Lighter Spider Energy - Sugar
Free Widow Maker Berry Bite
CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, SODIUM CITRATE, CARAMEL COLOR,
POTASSIUM BENZOATE
Rockstar Pure Zero – Zero
Calorie Punched
CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, VEGETABLE JUICE (COLOR), BENZOIC
ACID, FRUIT JUICE (COLOR), SORBIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, GUM
ARABIC, ESTER GUM, RED CABBAGE EXTRACT (COLOR)
Monster Energy – Ultra Red CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, SODIUM
BENZOATE, GUM ARABIC, NATURAL FLAVORS, SALT, ESTER GUM, RED
#40, BLUE #1
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15. Bottom Line and Biggest Differences
Areanyofthembetterorworseforpeopletryingtoavoidcertain
ingredients?
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• ALL of these are suitable for someone more concerned with
limiting their “liquid calories” and overall sugar intake than
with natural/artificial ingredients
• (#priorities)
• NONE of these are suitable for people who wish to eliminate
sweeteners like Acesulfame Potassium and Sucralose from
their diets
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• NONE of these are suitable for those sensitive to caffeine,
children or adolescents, or those who are pregnant or
nursing
• A similar sugar free Rockstar product contains the same
caffeine content as all Spider Energy products
• (240 mg caffeine per can)
• This may be too much for some people (this is LEVEL 4 in the 5
Levels of Fatigue system)
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Bottom Line and Biggest Differences
Whataboutthecaffeinecontent?

17. Bottom Line and BiggestDifferences
• Someone who is already a regular consumer of Monster or
Rockstar Energy may enjoy Spider Energy
• Spider Energy strives to provide a quality brand that has many
of the same attributes and characteristics as the leading
premium and popular brands, but at a value price
• Spider Energy is not for those who are looking for more milder
energy drinks (non-carbonated, juiced, milder caffeine)
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18. FOR MORE INFO:
• Sugar Free Energy Drink Comparison
http://www.caffeineinformer.com/sugar-free-energy-drink-chart
• The KNOW-No List: The function, natural alternatives, and safety of
over 100 different food ingredients and additives
http://greeneyedguide.com/2015/09/25/panera-know-no-list-part-v-meet-
the-texture-modifiers/
• Are You a Monster or a Rock Star: A Guide to Energy Drinks –
How They Work, Why They Work, How to Use Them Safely
(For the 20 most common energy drink ingredients, an explanation
of what they are, what they do, and how much is too much to
consume safely)
Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online stores
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