Energy drinks have gained much popularity over the years, and now many young teens and adults drink them very often, or even daily. Many of those who consume energy drinks have no clue about the detrimental effects that energy drinks can have on the body. People need to know and understand that although they’re delicious, energy drinks can have serious side effects on your health. The marketing for energy drinks has become so enticing to the point that energy drinks seem harmless. Large brands and companies often advertise their drinks to not only boost your energy but also boost your physical and cognitive performance. McKenzie Reiter (11) informs us, “It is terrifying to see how these companies are making these drinks seem to be so great and healthy for you. Hearing how bad they are makes me think about other brands that can be doing the same thing. It makes me want to get more informed of what I am consuming and inform others around me as well.”

Companies that supply and manufacture these beverages are beginning to shift their focus from athletes to young teens and adolescents who are usually more naive to certain information. About two-thirds of those who consume these drinks range from 13-15 years old. Not only do they have multiple ingredients that affect the consumer’s body, but they also contain an excessive amount of caffeine in such a small amount of liquid. These drinks tend to contain 200mg of caffeine in an 8-ounce can. To put that into perspective, that is the equivalent of two 12-ounce cans of soda. Other common constituents in energy drinks include taurine, methylxanthines, vitamin B, ginseng, guarana, yerba mate, acai, maltodextrin, inositol, carnitine, creatine, glucuronolactone, and ginkgo biloba. More and more concerns have been raised due to the number of health cases that have been pouring in over the years (Pmc). 

One area that is most commonly affected by energy drinks is the heart. The heart is not only a main function of the body, but it is possibly the most important organ. This is because it pumps blood to the entire body for it to function properly. Energy drinks tend to change how your heart cells function, which will usually elevate your heart rate at an abnormal pace or even in an irregular pattern. This is something that many people should be aware of because such changes can lead to serious health problems, especially for those who might already have diseases linked to heart issues (UC Davis). Allie Ottaviano (11) tells us, “I had absolutely no clue that energy drinks can do this much to your heart and body. This information makes me scared. Now I want to be more aware of how often I am consuming them.”

Not only does caffeine cause many issues in the body, but the amount of sugar these drinks contain also causes many issues. Some energy drinks contain as much as 21 teaspoons of sugar, which continues to tear down the body over time. Sugar will lead to issues like high blood sugar, which leads to an increased heart rate. But, sugar also causes hormone imbalances, which leads to mood swings, aggression, increased appetite, bloating, gas, and an overall increase in infections. All of these factors can lead to long-term effects in the body like weight gain or perhaps even obesity in some cases. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, skin issues,  and dental decay are related to elevated blood sugar levels and increased cholesterol, along with Alzheimer’s disease and kidney and heart diseases (nfhs). 

The bottom line is that energy drinks might be delicious and give you the energy you might need, but they come with terrifying life consequences down the road. Multiple studies have been found of young people dying from the heart conditions that energy drinks have given them, proving that energy drinks can lead to potential holes in your body from the ingredients “eating you alive.”  It is important to be aware of the extreme and detrimental effects that these energy drinks can give you. So, next time you go to the store and think about getting one, it might be a good idea to think twice about picking up that energy drink. Not only do energy drinks affect young kids and teenagers, but the same consequences and risks apply to anyone and everyone consuming these beverages.