I'm about to date myself here. Does anyone remember when Red Bull was the only energy drink around? I'm going back to my days of drinking Red Bull and vodka in the club so I could dance until the wee hours of the morning. Back then, not much was known about this magical new potion that made guarana one of the biggest buzzwords. Red Bull representatives descended on all parts of my college campus, peddling the stuff as a "healthy" way to get a boost in energy to either study - or party - all night long.
Fast forward a gazillion years later (don't make me say how old I am - don't you know it's rude to ask a lady her age?), and there are roughly 189 energy drink production businesses in the U.S. with sales projected at $21B this year - that's right, billion, with a B. It would be an understatement to say that the industry is huge, primarily with men ages 18-34. But whether or not you're young or old, male or female, experts are warning that excessive consumption of energy drinks can lead to a lot of health problems - and maybe even death.
In January, we reported on the dangers of Panera's Charged Lemonade, which has been linked to permanent cardiac damage in Lauren Skeritt, a 28-year-old athlete from Rhode Island - who, for all intents and purposes, seems to be the picture of health - and the deaths of a Florida man and Pennsylvania student with underlying health conditions. Panera currently lists the caffeine content of the 30-ounce Charged Lemonade at 237 mg, but interestingly enough, it was previously listed at 390 mg - which is essentially the daily limit guided by the FDA.
In addition to caffeine, many energy drinks include additional energy boosters like taurine and that oh-so-fancy Brazilian guarana - which have both been shown to actually increase caffeine amounts.
The Kicker
The potential dangers of energy drinks have been known for some time. A 2019 study published in the Journal of The American Heart Association shows that caffeinated energy drinks actually alter the heart's electrical activity and raise blood pressure. The study's author, Sachin Shah, a professor of pharmacy at the University of the Pacific, says that the extent of the changes in heart rhythm are generally considered mild - but people who have heart conditions or take certain medications could be at risk for an irregular heartbeat or even a fatal arrhythmia.
What About Folks Like Skeritt Who Don't Have Any Known Prior Health Conditions?
The FDA doesn't require much of energy drink manufacturers other than posting the caffeine content on its labels. But what about those that are peddled inside a Starbucks, Dunkin', or Dutch Bros.? It seems there is no requirement for transparency there - which is the crux of the lawsuit against Panera.
The moral of the story here is that you've gotta look out for number one. Do your best to be aware of what you eat, drink, and generally put in your body.
How Do I Know If I've Had Too Much Caffeine?
Typically speaking, feelings of anxiousness, fast heart rate, upset stomach, nausea, headache, and feeling jittery are all symptoms of caffeine overconsumption. If you feel these symptoms in excess, especially an increased heart rate, consult your physician or call 911. It just may save your life.
