Most Americans — 85 percent — consume caffeine daily. While coffee is often the go-to pick-me-up, energy drinks are also popular, especially among young people. Recognizing this demand, many coffee shops and fast-food chains have introduced “charged” drinks to their menus.
Branded with enticing names and vibrant designs, these beverages promise a quick kick. The allure is further amplified by flavor varieties reminiscent of candy, blurring the line between a fun treat and a potentially harmful stimulant.
Despite their playful appearance, many charged drinks have high levels of caffeine — often as much as the amount in a cup of coffee, or significantly more. They also contain sugar, artificial sweeteners, and natural stimulants such as guarana. This combo can lead to a range of adverse health issues, particularly in children and teenagers whose bodies are still developing, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Panera Bread recently resolved a lawsuit over its Charged Lemonade, which was linked to the death of a college student with a heart condition. The suit alleged that Panera failed to adequately warn consumers about the drink’s caffeine levels. The company faces three additional lawsuits filed for similar reasons.
30% of young people regularly consume energy drinks. It’s the second-most popular dietary supplement among children and adolescents.
A large Charged Lemonade reportedly contained as much as 390 milligrams of caffeine — equivalent to four or five cups of coffee and just below the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) safe level of 400 mg for adults.
This legal action brought national attention to the potential dangers of charged drinks and pushed Panera to discontinue sales of the beverage.
Mixed drinks containing alcohol and caffeine are popular among young adults as well. Such beverages can heighten some of the harmful health effects of the two drugs and increase the likelihood of overconsumption, because caffeine may mask the sense of intoxication.
Caffeine’s consequences vary from person to person and are dose dependent. Ads for energy drinks maintain they increase energy and improve athletic performance and metabolism. Numerous studies associate the drinks’ effects on children and adolescents with an increased risk of developing attention disorders and hyperactivity as well as increased blood pressure and arterial stiffness.
Some of the risks of high caffeine intake include increased anxiety, sleep disturbance, dependence, and even cardiac arrest. Although the FDA has not set a safe level for children, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that “stimulant-containing energy drinks have no place in the diets of children or adolescents.”
There are no specific U.S. restrictions or requirements for the sale or labeling of energy drinks. Their caffeine content can vary significantly, and inconsistent, unreliable labeling practices often make it difficult for consumers to know how much they’re taking in.
This article originally appeared as “Charged Drinks Can Pack a Dangerous Punch” in the March/April 2025 issue of Experience Life.
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