Quick answer: the jittery, on-edge feeling from energy drinks is mostly about dose. Pick a can with a moderate amount of caffeine (around 75 to 150mg), skip the high-sugar ones, and drink it slowly with food rather than all at once on an empty stomach.
Why energy drinks make you feel jittery
- Too much caffeine at once. Many cans carry 160 to 200mg. That's at or near the 200mg single dose most healthy adults are advised not to exceed.
- Drinking it fast. A whole can in five minutes hits harder than the same can over an hour.
- An empty stomach. Caffeine on its own tends to feel sharper.
- Sugar on top. A big sugar hit alongside the caffeine can leave you wired, then flat.
- You. Sensitivity to caffeine varies a lot from person to person, and regular coffee drinkers build tolerance.
Caffeine per can, lowest to highest
| Drink | Can | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Lucozade Energy Original | 380ml | About 46mg |
| Red Bull | 250ml | 80mg |
| Tenzing | 250ml | 80mg |
| Mug of instant coffee | 1 mug | About 100mg |
| PÜRCHARGE | 330ml | 125mg |
| Monster Energy | 500ml | 160mg |
| Celsius | 355ml | 200mg |
Figures from UK retailer and brand listings, October 2026. Recipes change, so check the can.
How to get the energy without the jitters
- Stay under 150mg a can if big doses make you shaky.
- Sip it over 30 to 60 minutes instead of downing it.
- Have it with food, not on an empty stomach.
- Count your coffee too. Keep your total under 400mg a day.
- Stop by early afternoon so it doesn't affect your sleep, which makes tomorrow's jitters worse.
What about L-theanine?
Some drinks pair caffeine with L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea. It's widely researched alongside caffeine, but there's no approved health claim for it in the UK, so be wary of any brand promising it will stop the jitters. Dose and drinking speed matter far more.
Where PÜRCHARGE fits
We make it, so judge for yourself. Each can has 125mg of caffeine from green coffee, a moderate dose, and it's still, so it's easy to sip slowly rather than gulp. It's low in sugar (3.8g a can) and also contains L-theanine from green tea, electrolytes and nine vitamins. Caffeine contributes to increased alertness and improved concentration. Not for under-16s, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or anyone sensitive to caffeine. Max two cans a day.
See our healthy energy drink page or shop the range.
FAQs
Why do energy drinks make me feel anxious?
Usually because of a high caffeine dose taken quickly, often with lots of sugar. Choosing a lower dose and drinking it slowly helps most people. If you have an anxiety or heart condition, talk to your GP about caffeine.
How much caffeine causes jitters?
It varies by person. Many people notice it above 150 to 200mg in one go, while sensitive people can feel it at less.
Is there an energy drink with no jitters at all?
No drink can promise that, because it depends on you. A moderate dose, sipped slowly with food, is the most reliable way to avoid them.
