In recent years, energy drinks have surged in popularity, propelling the market value to over $23 billion in the United States.

However, health professionals are sounding the alarm about these beverages, highlighting their high content of caffeine, chemicals, and sugar, which can lead to addiction.

Nick Padlo, who operates Sophros Recovery, an addiction treatment center, shared with the Daily Mail that dependency on energy drinks can have significant effects on both physical and mental health.

Padlo explained, “Excessive caffeine consumption can result in heightened restlessness, irritability, anxiety, and mental distress.”

He added that these drinks can disrupt sleep patterns, creating a vicious cycle where individuals consume more caffeine to remain awake during the day, potentially affecting heart health as well.

Padlo, a veteran from Florida who successfully battled his own addiction to alcohol and drugs after military service, noted a sharp increase in patients at his clinic struggling with energy drink addictions, with some consuming over five cans daily.

Padlo added: ‘We have definitely seen an increase in the dependency on energy drinks, especially among young people.

‘While this was often more prevalent in males, the new marketing approach from energy drink companies has increasingly focused on female customers, which has caused a rise in use by women in recent years. 

Energy drinks are seemingly more popular than ever, with the market worth more than $23 billion in the US

‘Energy drinks are readily available at gas stations and grocery stores, and the availability, combined with increasing caffeine levels, has caused a rise in dependence.’

And while not an illegal drug, the energy drinks can have just as deadly of consequences.

In a 2024 study, researchers at the Mayo Clinic looked at the medical data of 144 patients who had survived a cardiac arrest following emergency treatment.

Seven of them, between 20 and 42 years old, had consumed an energy drink some time before the life-threatening event, with six requiring defibrillators and one needing CPR.

Three of the patients were regular energy drink consumers and four were revealed to have a type of genetic heart condition.

Energy drinks typically contain large amounts of caffeine, added sugars, harmful additives, and legal stimulants such as guarana, taurine, and L-carnitine. 

These legal stimulants promote improved energy, focus, and alertness, but they can also raise your blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate. 

The FDA classifies energy drinks as dietary supplements, which means they do not require rigorous premarket approval for safety and effectiveness, unlike food and prescription drugs. 

Earlier this year, a distraught mother warned of the dangers of energy drinks after her ‘super healthy’ 28-year-old daughter Katie Donnell (pictured) died following a heart attack

In August 2021 while out with friends, Donnell (pictured) suddenly fell unconscious, her eyes ‘rolling into the back of her head’

Earlier this year, a distraught mother warned of the dangers of energy drinks after her ‘super healthy’ 28 year-old daughter died following a shock heart attack.

Katie Donnell, from Florida, was drinking up to three energy drinks a day to fuel her workouts.

The teacher was ‘rarely’ seen without an energy drink in her hands, and would buy a four-pack of the beverages every two to three days, according to her boyfriend.

Aside from ‘horrible anxiety,’ which her mother blames on energy drink ‘abuse,’ Donnell was the ‘epitome of health,’ suffering no underlying conditions.

But in August 2021, while out with friends, she suddenly fell unconscious, her eyes ‘rolling into the back of her head’ as she suffered a heart attack.

An ambulance got to Donnell but she wasn’t breathing and was without oxygen for too long, suffering brain damage.

The doctors worked on her for three hours but she never regained consciousness and her family decided to switch off Donnell’s life support machine.

Three years later, in August 2024, Zach Doran, 18, an MMA fighter and healthy Oklahoma high schooler, suffered a fatal heart attack at the gym.

His girlfriend attributed the attack to his relentless use of caffeine products. 

Gilmore said her late boyfriend had been in the habit of using both pre-workout – a stimulant powder added to water to get a boost for exercise – and energy drinks before going to the gym.

Energy drink-related emergency department visits, by gender in 2007 and 2011

‘[H]e was the healthiest person that I knew in my life and I can say confidently that he was the healthiest person in the majority of people’s lives he was apart of,’ Gilmore said in a June Facebook post. 

She added: ‘Because he was so healthy and fit I never really thought much of it. although knowing the dangers of energy drinks and how they can cause heart problems I never thought Zach would be a part of this.’

Attempts to revive him at the gym were unsuccessful and he was placed on life support. Ten days later, he died. 

The amount of caffeine in a standard energy drink varies but a typical 8.4-ounce beverage contains 80 mg of caffeine, while a 16-ounce energy drink typically contains 160 mg.

But if people indulge in several of these during the day, they could quickly surpass the recommended caffeine limit, which the Mayo Clinic lists as 400 mg. 

Consuming more than about 400 milligrams of caffeine per day can lead to a range of effects that vary depending on a person’s sensitivity and overall health. 

In the short term, higher intake often causes restlessness, nervousness, a rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, insomnia, digestive discomfort, and frequent urination. As caffeine levels rise further, some people may experience heart palpitations, tremors, headaches, dizziness, nausea, or even panic attacks. 

In August 2024, Zach Doran (pictured), 18, a healthy Oklahoma high schooler, suffered a fatal heart attack at the gym. His girlfriend attributed the shock attack to his relentless use of caffeine products

Taurine and guarana, which are also commonly found in energy drinks, are not inherently harmful but they can pose health risks when consumed in high amounts or combined with other stimulants. 

Taurine may influence heart rhythm and blood pressure, particularly when mixed with caffeine.

Studies have long suggested that in small amounts, found in the likes of salmon at 94mg per 100g, it can improve heart function and even reduce total cholesterol.

High levels, however, have been shown to cause vomiting, upset stomach, dizziness, tiredness, diarrhea, and constipation.

Guarana is a natural source of caffeine, which increases the total caffeine content of the drink and can lead to side effects such as insomnia, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and elevated blood pressure. 

Padlo told Daily Mail: ‘Caffeine on its own is not necessarily a health risk, but in large quantities, it can be incredibly harmful to our health.’ 

Additionally, the long-term effects of these substances, especially on adolescents, are not yet fully understood.

For people battling an addiction to energy drinks, Padlo said that gradually reducing intake is the best way of going about it. 

He said: ‘Stopping caffeine cold turkey can be very challenging, resulting in headaches and irritability. 

‘If you are consuming a large amount, it is best to get advice from your primary care physician. If you just want to cut back, the first step is to really understand what you are currently consuming with a log, and then gradually reduce the consumption. 

‘Treatment methods for energy drink addiction include behavioral and lifestyle interventions, and counseling.’

Energy drinks have sky-high levels of ingredients that have powerful effects on the body. Some brands can have up to 160mg of caffeine, almost triple that of an instant coffee

Padlo believes to curb the growing energy drink addiction crisis, there needs to be stricter regulations enforced by the FDA. 

He told Daily Mail: ‘There must be a limit on the amount of caffeine per ounce of a drink, or at a minimum, clear labeling. 

‘While we used to consume limited quantities in sodas or coffee, some of the energy drinks today include three to four amounts of caffeine in the same amount of liquid. 

‘People often just assume that all energy drinks contain the same dosage of caffeine, but that is just not the case. 

‘Consumers must read the fine print to know what they are actually consuming, and so often, they do not. 

‘Further, some of the caffeine drinks are being combined with other non-FDA-regulated substances, such as kava or kratom. Consumers should be clearly informed about what they are consuming, so that they can make educated decisions.’