Skip the Energy Drinks, Focus on Hydration

Energy drinks have a significant impact on health, primarily due to their high caffeine content and other stimulants such as taurine, glucuronolactone, and sugars. Consumption of energy drinks can lead to increased blood pressure, QTc prolongation, palpitations, agitation, tremor, and gastrointestinal upset. Cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric adverse events are the most frequently reported.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] 

The American College of Sports Medicine highlights that children, adolescents, caffeine-naïve adults, are at particularly high risk for complications, including arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and sudden death.[4]

Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to their smaller body size, relative caffeine naivety, and higher likelihood of heavy or frequent consumption. This can result in higher total body concentrations of caffeine and increased risk of side effects.[1][2][3][5] 

The American College of Sports Medicine specifically recommends that energy drinks should never be used for hydration before, during, or after physical activity.[1]

Chronic or excessive intake is associated with increased risk of hypertension, metabolic disturbances, poor mental health, risk-seeking behaviors, and potential for addiction.[2][8][9] Consumption in combination with alcohol or other stimulants further increases the risk of adverse events, including fatal outcomes.[10] 

Juice Doctor’s Summary of the Evidence:

In summary, consumption of energy drinks can have a significant negative impact on health. Children, Adolescents, and caffeine naïve individuals are particularly at risk of adverse effects.

When it comes to supporting an athlete before, during or after activity - skip the energy drinks and focus on avoiding dehydration with a carbohydrate based solution that avoids unnecessary ingredients, and tastes great!

References

1. The Review on Adverse Effects of Energy Drinks and Their Potential Drug Interactions. Dobrek L. Nutrients. 2025;17(15):2435. doi:10.3390/nu17152435.

2. The Dark Side of Energy Drinks: A Comprehensive Review of Their Impact on the Human Body. Costantino A, Maiese A, Lazzari J, et al. Nutrients. 2023;15(18):3922. doi:10.3390/nu15183922.

3. Energy Drinks: A Narrative Review of Their Physiological and Pathological Effects. Piccioni A, Covino M, Zanza C, et al. Internal Medicine Journal. 2021;51(5):636-646. doi:10.1111/imj.14881.

4. Energy Drinks: A Contemporary Issues Paper. Higgins JP, Babu K, Deuster PA, Shearer J. Current Sports Medicine Reports. 2018;17(2):65-72. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000454.

5. Cardiovascular and Autonomic Responses to Energy Drinks-Clinical Implications. Somers KR, Svatikova A. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2020;9(2):E431. doi:10.3390/jcm9020431.

6. Energy Drinks Induce Acute Cardiovascular and Metabolic Changes Pointing to Potential Risks for Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Basrai M, Schweinlin A, Menzel J, et al. The Journal of Nutrition. 2019;149(3):441-450. doi:10.1093/jn/nxy303.

7. Energy Drinks and Adverse Health Events in Children and Adolescents: A Literature Review. Li P, Haas NA, Dalla-Pozza R, et al. Nutrients. 2023;15(11):2537. doi:10.3390/nu15112537.

8. Health Effects and Public Health Concerns of Energy Drink Consumption in the United States: A Mini-Review. Al-Shaar L, Vercammen K, Lu C, et al. Frontiers in Public Health. 2017;5:225. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2017.00225.

9. Cardiovascular Pathologies Associated With Excessive Energy Drink Consumption: A Review. Hussain A, Jiji AK, Barke P, Biswas S, Tabrez SSM. Critical Reviews in Eukaryotic Gene Expression. 2018;28(2):107-113. doi:10.1615/CritRevEukaryotGeneExpr.2018021703.

10. Coffee, Caffeine, and Health. van Dam RM, Hu FB, Willett WC. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2020;383(4):369-378. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1816604.

11. Health Effects of Energy Drinks on Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults. Seifert SM, Schaechter JL, Hershorin ER, Lipshultz SE. Pediatrics. 2011;127(3):511-28. doi:10.1542/peds.2009-3592.