Talk about a jolt.
Many people reach for energy drinks when they need an extra boost, with 64% of Gen Zers leading the charge.
But doctors have long warned that these beverages can cause heart problems, anxiety, insomnia, headaches and dental issues.
Now there’s more evidence that no matter how young or healthy you are, pounding energy drinks can lead to serious health issues.
In one case study, published Tuesday in the journal BMJ Case Reports, a fit and healthy UK man in his 50s was treated for extremely high blood pressure and a stroke.
The culprit? His daily eight-can energy drink habit.
After he reported numbness and weakness on his left side as well as unsteadiness, doctors determined the unidentified man had experienced an ischemic stroke.
Blood vessels were blocked in the part of his brain involved with senses and movement.
He also had difficulty walking, swallowing and talking, symptoms collectively known as ataxia.
Doctors discovered his blood pressure was 254/150 mmHg. Healthy blood pressure is generally considered less than 120/80 mmHg.
When his blood pressure remained high even after medication, he confessed he was crushing an average of eight energy drinks per day, totaling almost 1,300 milligrams (mg) of caffeine.
That’s over three times the recommended maximum daily intake of 400 mg.
And the patient’s still feeling the effects, even years after quitting.
“I obviously wasn’t aware of the dangers drinking energy drinks were causing to myself,” he said in a statement provided by the researchers. “[I] have been left with numbness [in my] left-hand side hand and fingers, foot and toes even after 8 years.”
It’s unclear how long he kept up his habit.
Energy drinks can contain anywhere from 70 mg to a whopping 300 mg of caffeine.
For comparison, a standard 8-ounce cup of coffee has roughly 100 mg.
It’s not just the caffeine that’s causing problems.
The study authors say that the combination of caffeine, high sugar and stimulants like guarana significantly raises heart rate and blood pressure.
“The hypothesis is that the interaction of these other ingredients, including taurine, guarana and ginseng, potentiates the effects of caffeine heightening stroke risk through numerous mechanisms,” the authors explained. “The average [energy drink] is said to contain around 80 mg of caffeine… but in some cases can contain up to 500 mg in a single serving.”
They are calling for tighter regulation of the sales and advertising of these drinks, particularly given how popular they are among younger adults.
Global sales have consistently increased over the years, nearly reaching $80 billion in 2024. They are expected to hit $125 billion by 2030.
“Given the high morbidity and mortality associated with stroke and [cardiovascular disease] and the well-documented adverse health effects of high-sugar drinks, we propose that increased regulation… and advertising campaigns could be beneficial to the future cerebrovascular and cardiovascular health of our society,” said the authors.
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