How Do Energy Drinks and Caffeine Affect the Teenage Body?

Imagine going to school at 7 a.m. and seeing a bunch of teenagers, between the ages of 15-18, drinking Celsius, C4, Red Bull, or some other energy drink. You might wonder, "What do these drinks and caffeine do to their bodies?" This is a good question because there are about 1.2 billion teenagers in the world, and around 30–50% of them consume energy drinks (CDC, n.d.).

Caffeine is a naturally occurring brain and central nervous system stimulant that is found in tea, coffee, and the cacao bean. Caffeine gets you going by stimulating the brain and central nervous system and pushing back tiredness. While it may appear to be an easy way to perk up, caffeine is actually a drug, and its effects on the developing body can be tremendous (HealthyChildren.org, n.d.).

One of the biggest concerns is that children and teens have smaller bodies, and their brains keep growing until around age 25. As a result, they are more susceptible to the actions of caffeine than adults. Even small amounts can bring on sleep disruption, headaches, an upset stomach, mood swings, anxiety, and elevated blood pressure (Connecticut Children's, 2025).

Short-term effects of caffeine include rapid heartbeats, jitteriness, tremors, headaches, nausea, disturbance in sleep, and an increase in blood pressure, and long-term effects are much more serious. Insomnia, addiction potential, osteoporosis, tooth loss because of excessive consumption of sugar, lack of nutrients, liver damage, and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, obesity, and mental health diseases like anxiety and depression. Emergency room visits for caffeine overdose are also on the rise, with 40% of all cases reported in America in 2024 among teenagers (Axios, 2024).

Why do teenagers drink these beverages? Studies show that 32% drink them for energy, 20% for taste, 23% because their friends drink them, and 16% in order to wake up for school (University of Michigan, n.d.). The majority of high school students believe that energy drinks give them a boost of energy, but what the caffeine in them really does is cause even more problems.

The better news is that there are alternatives that are safer and can provide energy for teens without the ill effects. Water, milk, green tea, and normal energy which also comes from fruits and vegetables are all good choices. Promoting moderate caffeine consumption and choosing better drinks can protect sleep, mental health, and overall well-being (HealthyChildren.org, n.d.).

Attached below is a graph for ages 5-18 on the best things to consume.

Overall, energy drinks and caffeine may be a shorter term fix for tiredness or lack of energy, but they are serious threats to young people. Choosing to make healthier choices and being aware of the effects of caffeine can help teenagers stay energized in a healthy way, sleep better, and have better long-term results (Connecticut Children's, 2025).

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Works Cited:

Connecticut Children’s. (2025, February 21). Is Caffeine Safe for Teens? A Doctor Explains. https://www.connecticutchildrens.org/growing-healthy/caffeine-safe-teens-doctor-explains

CDC. (n.d.). Energy Drinks and School Nutrition. https://www.cdc.gov/school-nutrition/energy-drinks/index.html

HealthyChildren.org. (n.d.). The Effects of Caffeine on Kids: A Parent’s Guide https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/the-effects-of-caffeine-on-kids-a-parents-guide.aspx

Axios. (2024, November 6). Teen Emergency Room Visits for Caffeine Overdose Increase. https://www.axios.com/2024/11/06/teen-emergency-room-visits-for-caffeine-overdose-increase

University of Michigan. (n.d.). Does Your Teen Consume Too Much Caffeine? http://ihpi.umich.edu/news-events/news/does-your-teen-consume-too-much-caffeine