Over the past few years, energy drinks have become popular around the world among teenagers, students, athletes, or those who feel tired and need a quick boost. The demand for energy drinks have increased as countless new companies arise, taking advantage of its market being at an all time high.
According to Harvard Health Publishing, “More than 500 energy drink products are on the market in the U.S., with annual sales topping $25 billion, and projected to exceed $50 billion by 2033.”
Some examples of energy drink companies are Red Bull, Monster, Ghost, Alani, Rockstar, and Celcius. University of San Francisco student, Kami Madhwan, said, “My favorite energy drinks are Red Bull and Ghost because they taste great and give me a boost of energy during work and studying.”
These new energy drinks are advertised to improve energy, focus, and performance. Energy drinks are drinks that contain caffeine and carbohydrate to provide consumers with a jolt of energy. While energy drinks can help people feel energized for a short time, doctors and researchers say they can also have negative effects on the body, especially if they are used too often or by teens.
Most energy drinks contain 6-242 milligrams of caffeine per serving and high levels of sugar. Sugar-free, natural, or herb-based energy drinks are considered healthier, but also can include a high dose of caffeine and can cause health risks.
There are multiple health risks that come with drinking energy drinks. Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that caffeine can raise heart rate and blood pressure, and disrupt heart beat rhythm, especially with excess consumption and for people with medical conditions.
Skyline College student Michael Nosadini described an experience pertaining to energy drinks, stating, “I drank way too much of my energy drink before an exam and it made me feel like my heart was beating out of my chest.”
Some other effects of drinking energy drinks are dehydration caused by diuretic caffeine and blood sugar crashes due to high sugar content. Although there are no life-threatening effects of drinking energy drinks, Harvard Health Publishing states that some may affect people’s health in the long run, such as metabolic issues and tooth decay.
There are even more prominent risks for teenagers. For teenagers, whose bodies are still developing, doctors recommend limiting energy drink use because the risks outweigh the benefits.
As reported by Johns Hopkins Medicine, research shows that one third of teenagers drink energy drinks. Teenagers are more sensitive to caffeine intake due to smaller body size and developing brains. Some side effects of consuming energy drinks that teenagers may face are jitters, insomnia, anxiety, and behavioral changes.
According to UCLA Health, teenagers are advised to intake less than 100 milligrams of caffeine per day, but most energy drinks exceed those limits.
Studies also by UCLA Health show that adults should limit caffeine consumption to 400 milligrams a day. Surpassing this can lead to being dependent on them for energy, building a tolerance, and can cause a disturbance in sleep schedule.
The sugar content in energy drinks are one of the main reasons people can become addicted and rely on them for energy. They became popular because they are a better tasting alternative for coffee.
Riordan student Avery Agbunag ’26 said, “I typically prefer energy drinks instead of coffee, due to the flavor.”
The average cup of coffee has 100 milligrams of caffeine, but most energy drinks are made up of more than 100 milligrams, as stated earlier. Coffee is a potential substitute for energy drinks because they usually contain fewer additives, less sugar, and no herbal stimulants, as stated by University of Rochester Medical Center.
Energy drinks can have some positive effects when used in small amounts. The caffeine in them can help people stay alert, improve concentration, and feel less tired for a short period of time. Some energy drinks also include B vitamins, which help the body turn food into energy. Students are drawn to energy drinks because they increase alertness and boost focus. They improved physical endurance and performance in athletics and academics.
However, they also have health risks such as increased heart rate, sleep problems, and potential long-term effects, especially for teenagers. Because of this, people should choose to drink energy drinks carefully and in moderation, with the understanding of their benefits and risks.
