can you drink energy drinks while on peptides: Frequently asked questions
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What energy drink has the most caffeine?
It’s hard to know which energy drink brand has the most caffeine. Drink companies must list some ingredients on the label. But they don't have the same rules as medications. This means many companies don't tell you how much caffeine there is. Some have over 300 mg in 16 ounces.
Do energy drinks interact with medicine?
It depends on the drink contents. Type 2 diabetes and blood thinner medications don't work as well with higher caffeine levels. If you take medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist first. It's important to let them know what you're drinking, says Babi.
Are energy drinks safe for kids?
About 30 to 50 out of every 100 teens say they drink energy drinks. But the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests only adults drink them. "Their brains and bodies are rapidly developing, so they’re more susceptible to side effects than adults," says Babi. Between 2022 and 2023, the American Poison Center reported about a 24% increase in energy drink calls from children and teens under age 20. And the highest number calls were from kids ages 6 to 12. The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Heart Association, and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggest kids and teens avoid drinks with:
Are Energy Drinks Bad for You?
Some energy drinks combine many ingredients. They contain high levels of caffeine, sugar, or herbs. These drinks aren't regulated by the FDA, either. Energy drinks may be dangerous for some people, says Babi. Here’s a closer look as to why.
Are energy drinks bad for your heart?
Adding high amounts of caffeine and other stimulants can cause problems. Stimulants refer to compounds raise your alertness. These types of drinks can raise your heart rate or blood pressure, too. And your heart can beat faster, or irregularly, says Babi. "Even if you’re young and otherwise healthy, it can push your heart rate into dangerously high levels," he says. You may have too much caffeine if you:
What Are Energy Drinks?
They're actually a popular dietary supplement. Energy drinks can contain many types of active ingredients. Your local store likely has shelves full of these drinks. Different drink brands claim to boost your mental ability or physical energy. And some have very high caffeine levels, causing life-threatening symptoms. Some energy drinks can have safety problems, too. "When it comes to these popular drinks, it’s really buyer beware," says Marc-Alain Babi, MD, chief of neurocritical care at Cleveland Clinic Florida Martin Health in Stuart, FL. Energy drink brands also claim to supercharge your daily activity. Some drink labels promote better work focus or afternoon gym workouts. Energy drinks are a big, booming business. In fact, people spent $21 billion in 2024 on them. That's 10 billion more than in 2017. The FDA doesn't approve energy drinks. That "means a brand can add pretty much any ingredient they want to the drink," says Babi. "We’re also seeing more and more reports of patients who have experienced serious side effects." The problems can include a "stroke or even liver or kidney failure," he says. So before you take a sip of an energy drink, here are a few things to know.
Why do energy drinks make me tired?
Some energy drinks contain high sugar and caffeine levels. Once your body digests these, the effects wear off. You’re likely to crash. It can mean your blood sugar drops and your brain activity lowers. You may feel sleepy, says Stefanski. The caffeine can dehydrate you, too. This can also make you feel sluggish. But drinking energy drinks long-term can make you feel tired. "Ironically, they can affect your sleep, as well," says Stefanski. "So it’s harder to both stay and fall asleep." The next day, you may feel tired or groggy. This can make you more likely to drink another one. The hope is the energy drink can power you through the day. "But it becomes a vicious cycle," says Stefanski. Over time, the same amount of caffeine can stop working. You may not feel as much energy. It's called caffeine tolerance. So you may feel like you need more caffeine to stay awake. But this isn't the best practice. And it can lead to more health problems. Talk to your doctor if you're having problems staying awake or sleeping at night.
Are there healthy energy drinks?
An occasional energy drink is likely not harmful. And you'll probably get energy and better focus for a short time. But there aren't many rules about how they're made. "There’s no industry standard for the term 'healthy,'" says Stefanski. “An energy drink manufacturer can tout that their drink is healthier, but there’s no way to know for sure since they’re not regulated by the FDA." So an energy drink brand can claim it's healthier. But there may not be scientific evidence that it's true. So watch out for any claim made on energy drinks. These aren't verified by the FDA or independent studies. For example, some of the drinks claim to avoid added sugar. "But they may be loaded with caffeine and other stimulants to give you a boost of energy," Stefanski says.
Can energy drinks cause you to die?
There have been a few cases of high caffeine levels in energy drinks triggering heart attacks that caused death. Although energy drinks don't directly cause you to die, some ingredients can trigger health conditions. High caffeine levels can raise your risk of a seizure or heart attack. "Most of the time, these [cases] occur in seemingly healthy young adults," says Babi. "They [likely] have an undiagnosed heart condition." Medical conditions can be hard to predict. So it's a good idea to avoid energy drinks entirely. Try other alternatives to energy drinks instead.
How many energy drinks is too many?
It’s best not to drink more than one at a time, says Stefanski. That way, you can see how you feel. And you can watch for any side effects, too. You can notice if you get jittery or have a faster heart rate. It’s best to only use energy drinks now ant then, if at all.
What is the healthiest energy drink?
The healthiest energy drink isn’t one at all. If you need a quick boost, Stefanski says, grab a cup of coffee. You can also try to drink black or green tea. Another energy-boosting option is to work out for an hour or more. And if you're in very hot conditions, try an electrolyte drink or oral rehydration solution (ORS). These drinks help replace electrolytes that sweat away when working out.
Who shouldn’t drink energy drinks?
Ideally, everyone should skip energy drinks, says Babi. You may be at a higher risk of side effects. You should avoid energy drinks if you:
Are Energy Drinks Safe?
Energy drinks are a kind of dietary supplement. Companies don't have to make them meet the same safety standards as medications. But they do have to follow the FDA rule called GRAS. That means the ingredients in your energy drink must be "generally recognized as safe." And highly pure forms of caffeine can cause life-threatening symptoms. "It’s up to [you] to read labels carefully, and to connect the dots," says Stefanski.