In 2025, the consumption of energy drinks like Monster and Celsius among adolescents has noticeably increased. However, the ingredients in these drinks can be harmful when consumed in large and repetitive amounts. One of the primary ingredients is caffeine, a drug that stimulates the brain and nervous system, making a person feel “energized” and ready to start their day. But excessive caffeine intake, especially through energy drinks, can negatively affect the development of adolescents.
Doctors recommend that teens limit their caffeine intake to around 100 milligrams per day, or roughly the amount in an 8-ounce cup of coffee. Energy drinks, however, can contain up to 300 milligrams of caffeine, far exceeding the recommended amount for teens. Common side effects of excessive caffeine consumption include insomnia, mood swings, a decline in academic performance, and headaches (Mostafavi, 2024, “Does Your Teen Consume Too Much Caffeine?”). Furthermore, consuming large amounts of caffeine can lead to spikes in blood pressure and heart rate, impairing heart function, causing stomach problems, and stunting brain development. These effects are particularly concerning for adolescents, as their brains are still developing (Reid, 2023, “Caffeine and Its Effects on Teenagers”).
Many teenagers form their own beliefs about caffeine consumption. For example, high school student Charles Bowman says, “I drink about one Monster or Celsius per day. I follow the FDA’s recommendation on caffeine intake.” While the FDA suggests that up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is safe for adults, it doesn’t provide a specific limit for adolescents. Another high school student, Abraham Beals, shares his experience: “In middle school, I used to drink coffee in the morning because I had early soccer practice and wanted to keep my grades high. By the end of the day, I was already tired and unable to complete my work.” This illustrates how easily teenagers can develop a dependency on caffeine.
Beals adds, “My grandfather used to be the head commissioner of health for Putnam County and a nutrition gynecologist who would tell pregnant mothers not to drink caffeine because of the risks it posed to them and their babies.”
Overall, consuming energy drinks that contain high amounts of caffeine is harmful to adolescents. Since many teens do not read the nutrition facts on cans, large energy drink companies like Monster and Celsius should consider lowering the caffeine content and reducing the amount of other chemicals or stimulants in their drinks. It’s important for parents to regulate their children’s caffeine intake, and adults should be mindful of their own consumption as well. While caffeine isn’t inherently dangerous, overconsumption and the lack of regulation in energy drinks can lead to negative symptoms for teenagers.