Can Energy Drinks Kill You?

No, drinking an energy drink or even multiple energy drinks will not kill you. The contradiction is that there have been cases where energy drinks have been correlated to deaths. In these cases, the underlying causes were caffeine intoxication and not the energy drink itself. 

As with all foods and drinks, caffeine is a substance that can be toxic if consumed in extreme amounts. Cases, where energy drinks, or rather caffeine were a contributing factor to deaths, were extreme examples. 

“All things are poison, and nothing is without poison, the dosage alone makes it so a thing is not a poison.”

Paracelsus, 24 September 1541. 

Paracelsus was trying to say with this quote that everything is a poison consumed in large enough amounts. Even water can be dangerous in large enough amounts. 

How many energy drinks does it take to kill you?

A regular person would need at least 10 grams of caffeine for it to be lethal and potentially cause death. 

For reference, there are 100 to 200 milligrams of caffeine in a cup of coffee and between 50 to 300 milligrams of caffeine in an energy drink.

1 gram is 1.000 milligrams, this means you would need 10.000 milligrams of caffeine for it to be lethal. 

Source: Healthline.com.

If you divide the 10.000 milligrams with the worst-case scenario of an energy drink being 300 milligrams of caffeine, you get 33 cans or bottles of energy drinks which you’ll have to consume before it gets lethal. On top of that, you’ll need to consume them at a faster rate than your body can get rid of the caffeine, which can take up to 10 hours. 

Let’s try and set up an extreme example to put things into perspective. For this example, I’ll use the smallest Redbull can size at 8.4 fl oz (248 ml) which contains 77.4 mg of caffeine. 

It takes about 6 liters of water to kill a 165-pound person (75 kg). 

Why does this matter? I’ll explain. 

6 liters divided by the can size (248 ml) of the Redbull will give you 24 cans. So if you drink above 24 cans of Redbull you’re already getting a serious case of water intoxication, and this is even without taking the caffeine into account.

If we calculate the amount of caffeine consumed by drinking 24 cans of 8.4 fl oz Redbull, you’ll be consuming 1.85 grams of caffeine. Which is well below the 10 grams needed for a lethal dose. 

In conclusion, if an energy drink can kill you I would still say yes, in theory, an energy drink can kill you, but you’ll have to drink an absurd amount, nothing you’d be able to do without it being on purpose.

Source: Medicaldaily.com

Amount of energy drinks needed for lethality. 

Data is based on adults, age 18+, and a presumed weight of 165 lbs (75 kg). 

What will happen if you overdose on energy drinks?

Overdosing on an energy drink will be much likely be related to an overdose on caffeine because overdosing on energy drinks will result in overdosing on caffeine.

The immediate response from your body, if you overdose on energy drinks, will likely be highly increased heart rate, dizziness, and increased thirst. This will be the result of a high dose of caffeine combined with sugars, while your body is activating even more energy with the added B6, B12 vitamins, and Niacin. Often Taurine is also added to energy drinks, this ingredient will increase blood flow and further activate the energy deposits in your body.

See common ingredients in energy drinks on this table here. [Insert link]

How many energy drinks will it take to overdose?

How many is too many energy drinks? The limiting factor to how many energy drinks you can drink is the amount of caffeine. The official maximum recommended daily intake of caffeine is 400 mg, which amounts to approximately 5 Redbulls.

Taking above 400 mg is considered an overdose, but the truth is that the maximum tolerance of caffeine will vary from person to person. Some people will not experience symptoms before the 600 mg or even 800 mg mark, but some people will experience light symptoms even after one energy drink.

The 400 mg maximum is a rough estimate based on generalizations of weight, mass, and body-to-fat ratio. Also, your metabolism rate will greatly impact your maximum daily intake.

In my own experience, I’m a fairly large man and can easily drink above 400 mg before experiencing any immediate symptoms. But I still don’t do it, because of the more long-term health risks involved. It’s not healthy, even if you don’t experience symptoms.

Another factor that I can personally say has a huge impact on symptoms associated with energy drinks, is the food you’ve eaten prior and the activity you are currently doing. So if you’ve got a large healthy meal the body will spend a lot of energy consuming the energy given by the energy drink. Also, it’ll take longer for the energy in the drink to go out into your body.

If you’re currently doing some energy intense activity you’ll also not notice the increased energy from the energy drink too much, as you’re spending it very quickly. The energy given from the energy drink is consumed very fast compared to most foods like meat.

Timeline on what will happen when overdosing on energy drinks

If we presume that you are not doing any activity and have eaten a normal healthy meal. The timeline will look approximately like this:

1. At first, you’ll experience having a burst of energy, maybe you’ll even feel happier for a short while as you get this burst.
2. You’ll start feeling your pulse get high and cannot get down even if you sit completely still. You might even experience slight shortness of breath. In my own experience, I experienced slight shortness of breath, like I was walking really fast. I felt the need to breathe more often and more heavily.
3. Your blood pressure will most likely be elevated and you’ll be able to feel this. If your blood pressure is highly elevated, it can feel like someone is pressing hard on your chest, if you experience this you should seek medical attention right away.
4. After a couple of hours of rapid heart rate and high blood pressure, you’ll feel tired, dizzy, lazy, and maybe unable to think clearly.

If you experience an overdose, drink a lot of water and keep a glass or bottle of water beside you for a day or two, to keep having some water intake.

Try to relax as much as possible throughout the whole experience, don’t panic, it will go over. If nothing hurts, there will be nothing to worry about. But if you feel extreme discomfort, seek medical attention right away.

The day after an overdose on energy drinks can be quite interesting. You can experience all sorts of symptoms like diarrhea, thirst, fever, and more.

What are the symptoms of caffeine overdose?

Several types of symptoms occur with this condition. Some symptoms may not immediately alert you that you’ve had too much caffeine because they may not seem serious. For example, you may experience:

• dizziness
• diarrhea
• increased thirst
• insomnia
• headache
• fever
• irritability

Other symptoms are more severe and call for immediate medical treatment. These more serious symptoms of caffeine overdose include:

• trouble breathing
• vomiting
• hallucinations
• confusion
• chest pain
• irregular or fast heartbeat
• uncontrollable muscle movements
• convulsions

Source:

https://www.healthline.com/health/caffeine-overdose

https://www.phillyvoice.com/energy-drinks-safe-health-effects-inflammation-heart-damage/

What should you do if you’ve had too many energy drinks?

Energy drinks are very good for boosting your energy. However, if you consume too many of them, it can be dangerous. Here are some tips on what to do if you’ve had too many energy drinks:

• Drink plenty of water – Drinking water can help reduce the side effects of an energy drink high. Water also helps your body eliminate toxins and waste products more efficiently.
• Get some rest – Feeling tired is one of the side effects of an energy drink high. To avoid this, try to get some rest whenever possible.
• Eat healthy food – You should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables while you’re trying to wean yourself off the energy drink high. Fruits and vegetables are rich in fiber and water, two things that can help you feel less jittery.

FAQ

Is it possible to overdose on energy drinks?

No, it is not possible to overdose on energy drinks. The lethal dose of caffeine is around 10 grams, which is about 100 cups of coffee. The lethal dose of taurine is around 3 grams, which is about 36 energy drinks.

The lethal dose of glucuronic acid is around 1 gram, which is about 11 energy drinks. The human body has mechanisms to prevent the toxic effects of high doses of chemicals.

One such mechanism is the norepinephrine-induced lipocrotic response, which causes the body to mobilize its fat stores as an energy source in times of crisis. So even if you take 10 times the recommended daily dose it won’t affect your health because your body will burn the fat instead.

Is 1 energy drink a day bad?

There’s no official recommendation on how many cans of energy drinks you can safely drink in a day, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that young people avoid energy drinks due to the high levels of caffeine they contain.

Caffeine is a powerful chemical that can have both positive and negative effects on health. According to the Mayo Clinic, side effects of caffeine include anxiety, restlessness, and jittery feelings. Additionally, excess caffeine may contribute to high blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease and stroke.

Has anyone died from energy drinks?

Yes, there are many cases of people dying from energy drinks. In the US alone there have been at least 29 deaths attributed to the consumption of energy drinks since 2013.

In addition to that, energy drink consumption is associated with dangerous side effects such as heart arrhythmias and blood pressure elevations. There is no safe level of consumption when it comes to energy drinks.

Even moderate consumption can lead to serious health problems and even death. Unlike other types of beverages, the caffeine content in energy drinks does not decrease over time, which makes them particularly dangerous for young people and pregnant women.

How many energy drinks are dangerous?

According to the FDA, there is no standard definition of an ‘energy drink’. However, the FDA states that one 8 oz bottle of an energy drink may contain as much as 240mg of caffeine, much more than a cup of coffee. Caffeine is a powerful drug that can have both positive and negative health effects.

There is also no limit on the amount or type of ingredients in energy drinks. Because they are classified as dietary supplements, they are not required to undergo stringent testing or to follow FDA regulations on safety and quality control.

What happens if you drink 3 monsters in a day?

While you may not encounter any negative side effects from drinking three Monsters in a day, it may be extremely difficult to consume that much sugar in such a short period of time.

In addition to a large amount of sugar, Monsters also contain high amounts of caffeine, which can contribute to insomnia and other health problems if consumed in excess.

Can energy drinks stop your heart?

No, Energy Drinks will not stop your heart. The active ingredients in energy drinks can be dangerous if they are taken in high doses or if they are combined with alcohol.

Like all other medications and supplements, energy drinks should be used with caution and only as directed by a healthcare provider.

If you experience any of the following symptoms after consuming an energy drink, seek medical attention immediately: fast or irregular heartbeats, feeling faint, nausea and vomiting, confusion, or muscle twitching or weakness.

Can a 12-year-old drink monster?

No, a 12-year-old should not drink a monster. Drinking too much caffeine in your teens can lead to: Irregular and skipped periods. Migraines and intense headaches. Caffeine’s effects on the brain and blood pressure. Unhealthy body weight and weight loss. Sleep problems and insomnia.

Will I die if I drink 2-3 monsters?

No, you will not die if you drink 2-3 samples of alcohol. However, it may cause some serious health issues including vomiting, nausea, headaches, and seizures.

Additionally, drinking too much alcohol can lead to alcohol poisoning and death. Therefore, it is best to avoid drinking 2-3 samples of alcohol and to instead drink in moderation.

What happens if you drink 7 monsters in one day?

You might experience the following side effects if you drink 7 monsters in one day:

1. Can lead to acid reflux because it’s high in sugar and is not healthy for the body.

2. It May contain aspartame, a sweetener that may cause headaches, nausea, and mood changes.

3. Can lead to weight gain as it contains artificial sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup.

4. Can result in diarrhea, swelling, or fever due to the inclusion of food dyes and artificial sweeteners.

5. It May cause tooth decay due to its high added sugar content, lack of fluoride, and presence of dangerous chemicals.