Energy drinks have sparked considerable controversy. While some think they are terrible for you and provide no nutritional benefit, others embrace them as an effective alternative to coffee for staying alert and focused. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), energy drinks have been shown to cause cardiovascular, neurological, and metabolic issues, among others. However, they have also been shown to increase endurance, reaction time, alertness, and cognitive performance.

So, what energy drink is the healthiest, and how often is it appropriate to have one? Caffeine Informer identifies the three most popular energy drinks in the US as Red Bull ($7.28 billion in revenue), Monster Energy ($5.46 billion in revenue), and Celsius ($1.02 billion). Interestingly, Celsius had a 138% positive change in sales since last year, suggesting it may soon surpass its competitors in popularity.

When comparing Red Bull and Monster, Monster has a broader range of ingredients, which may offer additional benefits. However, Monster also contains significantly more calories (210 vs. 298) and sugar (51 g vs. 66 g), making Red Bull the healthier option, especially for individuals who aren’t as active, for whom sugar intake is more important.

Red Bull and Celsius present a different comparison. While the ingredients in Celsius—such as B vitamins, green tea leaf extract, and vitamin C—are more health-focused, the nutrition is ultimately a toss-up. While Celsius only has 10 calories compared to Red Bull’s 110 and contains no sugar compared to Red Bull’s 26 grams, Celsius has 2.5 times as much caffeine as Red Bull—equivalent to 2-2.5 cups of coffee. This makes Celsius a better option for those who can tolerate high caffeine levels, while Red Bull may be preferable for individuals who are sensitive to caffeine.

So, in answering the question of what is the healthiest popular energy drink, the answer is really dependent on the situation. Monster Energy is probably never a great option if one is concerned with health because of the high sugar and calorie content. But the choice between the other two is case-sensitive.

While Celsius may be the healthier option for some, or Red Bull for others, the important thing to remember is that too many of these drinks too often is bad for your health, regardless of preference. Always drink in moderation.