Should Teens Drink Energy Drinks?
July 8, 2026By: Dr. V. Sushma Chamarthi, MD, FAAP, DABOM
Categories: Parenting, General Information
What parents need to know about the health and safety risks of energy drinks
Energy drinks are everywhere. From convenience store fridges to social media feeds, they are marketed with promises of focus, endurance and unstoppable energy. For teens trying to keep up with school, sports and busy social lives, that pitch can be hard to resist. But what are these drinks actually doing to a teenage body, and should parents be concerned?
The short answer is yes.
What is actually in an energy drink?
Energy drinks are not just highly caffeinated sodas. A single can typically contains between 80 and 300 milligrams of caffeine, sometimes more. For reference, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that adolescents consume no more than 100 milligrams of caffeine per day. Many popular energy drinks exceed this limit in a single serving.
Beyond caffeine, these drinks often contain:
- Taurine and guarana, which contribute additional stimulant effects on top of caffeine
- High amounts of added sugar, with some cans containing more than 27 grams per serving
- B vitamins in doses well above daily recommendations
- Herbal extracts whose safety in adolescents has not been well studied
The combination of these ingredients creates an unpredictable stimulant load that a developing body is not equipped to handle.
What can energy drinks do to a teen's body?
The effects on adolescents go beyond a temporary energy boost. Regular or high-volume energy drink consumption has been linked to:
- Increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure, which is particularly concerning for teens who may have undiagnosed cardiac conditions
- Sleep disruption, compounding the sleep deprivation that is already widespread among adolescents
- Worsened anxiety, irritability and difficulty with focus and concentration
- Headaches and digestive discomfort
- Dental erosion from the high acidity and sugar content of many formulas
More serious concerns include arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms) and, in rare cases, cardiac events. Most reported cases have involved young, otherwise healthy individuals who consumed large quantities or combined energy drinks with other stimulants or alcohol. Mixing energy drinks with alcohol is especially dangerous, as the stimulant effects can mask the sedating effects of alcohol and lead to excessive drinking.
What do the experts say?
The AAP is unambiguous: energy drinks should not be consumed by children or adolescents. This recommendation applies to all individuals under 18, regardless of the marketed purpose of the drink.
It is worth noting that energy drinks are not the same as sports drinks. Sports drinks, such as electrolyte beverages, are intended for use during prolonged, vigorous physical activity. Energy drinks, by contrast, are stimulant products and carry a distinct set of health concerns.
Energy drink companies invest heavily in marketing that targets teens and young adults, often through sports sponsorships, gaming partnerships and social media. Understanding this influence is an important part of helping your teen make informed choices.
Healthier ways to support your teen's energy
If your teen is reaching for energy drinks to get through the day, it is worth exploring what may be driving that fatigue. Common and addressable causes in adolescents include:
- Insufficient sleep: teens need 8 to 10 hours per night, and most fall significantly short of that
- Skipping meals or relying on heavily processed foods that lead to energy crashes
- Dehydration, which substantially impacts alertness and cognitive performance
- High stress from academic demands, extracurricular schedules or social pressures
Consistent sleep, balanced nutrition, adequate water intake and regular physical activity will do far more for your teen's sustained energy and focus than any drink. Starting that conversation does not have to be a lecture. Simply asking how they are feeling, or what they are using to get through the day can open the door.
Energy drink companies are very good at selling a feeling. As a parent, you are in one of the best positions to help your teen understand what is actually inside the can, and why it matters. If you have specific concerns about your teen's caffeine intake, fatigue or overall energy levels, their pediatrician is a great resource and can help identify whether any underlying factors need attention.
