Energy drinks are a controversial topic in today’s health world. Some people swear by them, exalting them as the ultimate source of energy. The perfect pick-me-up during a slow day at the office. The student’s lifesaver for last-night cramming studies.

The exercise buff’s zap of energy to make it through an intense weight lifting drill or cardio boot camp. Others, on the other hand, consider energy drinks worse than consuming sodas, both for lack of nutritional value, detriments to health, and even weight gain.

If one wants to get a set of six pack abs, it is important to know exactly what is in energy drinks. And realize that it is essential to eliminate them if a chiseled torso is desired.

Three popular energy drinks are Monster, Red Bull, and Rockstar. Taking a closer look at them and dissecting their ingredients is helpful to know what exactly one is putting into his or her body.

• Monster

Monster claims to have double the energy of regular energy drinks. Monster Energy is 16 oz. The ingredients label says one can is equivalent to two servings (8 oz. each). Therefore, drinking a whole can is 200 calories, 54  grams carbohydrates, and 54 grams sugar. Ingredients include glucose, taurine, caffeine, glucuronlocatone, inositol, guarana seed extract, and sucralose, along with B vitamins. Their energy blend is L-carnitine, glucose, caffeine, guarana, inositol, glucuronolactone, and maltodextrin.

• Red Bull

Red Bull energy drink’s serving size is one can, 8.3 oz. It contains 110 calories, 28 grams carbohydrates, and 27 grams sugar. It contains some B vitamins. Some of its ingredients include sucrose, glucose, sodium citrate taurine, glucuronolactone, caffeine, and niacinaminde.

• Rockstar

Rockstar considers themselves to be the world’s most powerful energy drink. The original Rockstar comes in 8 oz, 16, oz, and 24 oz, but each bottle lists 8 oz as the serving size. Rockstar contains 140 calories, 31 grams carbohydrates, and 31 grams sugar, along with several B vitamins. Its energy blend includes taurine, ginkgo biloba leaf extract, caffeine, guarana seek extract, inosiol, and L-carnitine.

An obvious main ingredient of energy drinks is sugar (glucose). It appears in all of the special energy blends. Anyone who is trying to get a six pack ab to appear beneath a stubborn layer of belly fat knows that sugar is a huge sabotage to weight loss. Sugar, called by numerous names and found in countless processed foods, is one of the biggest causes of fat retention. While sugar is necessary in the diet and does provide needed energy, consider the sources to get sugar from. Is it better to get sugar naturally, such as through fruits, or through processed drinks with other potentially negative side effects?

Another common ingredient in energy drinks is caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it pulls water out of the body, ultimately dehydrating it. Caffeine, along with sugar, gives a rush of energy and alertness. However, in the process, it is dehydrating, taking away the water the body must have in order to function during a workout, afterwards to rejuvenate it, and throughout the day to keep the body functioning properly, muscles relaxed, and the mind alert.

Taurine and L-carnitine are both amino acids which is produced naturally by the body. They work to regulate energy levels. B vitamins are also popular in energy drinks, which, along with taurine and L-carnitine, seem to make drinking energy drinks redeemable.

Considering the major drawbacks of two huge ingredients in energy drinks–sugar and caffeine–, along with the amount of processed ingredients, it would be wise to consider finding other ways to get one’s daily dose of B vitamins. As the body naturally produces enough taurine and L-carnitine, needing to get extra through energy drinks seems to reverse the ultimate effects.

While energy drinks advertise to make one sexier and more fit, consider what is really inside the drinks and if they will ultimately be helping to achieve six pack abs. If they are going to be hiding underneath a layer of sugar-induced fat, how worth it are they?