Jun 26, 2025 3 min read

Q. Please settle an argument with my mom. I drink what she says is too many energy drinks. I think I drink just enough to keep me sharp and they aid my cognition. She says in the hot summer they don’t hydrate me enough. I counter with the argument that, if I were stranded in a desert and only had energy drinks, I could drink them to survive. She says the caffeine isn’t good for me. I tell her I’m young enough to handle caffeine. Which of us is right? – 14-year-old

Mary Jo’s Response: I love that you’re communicating with your mom. Let’s talk facts. I’m not an expert in this area, so I sought out information from someone with more knowledge. Dr. Anna Svatikova is a cardiologist who’s done extensive research on the effect of energy drinks on the body. According to Dr. Svatikova, there are pros and cons to energy drinks.

On the pro side, there are studies showing that because of their high caffeine content, these drinks enhance physical and cognitive performance. In terms of physical performance, studies have shown that energy drinks may enhance physical endurance and muscle strength. In terms of cognitive performance, there are studies that show that because of the higher caffeine content, they may enhance memory or faster reaction time.

The amount of caffeine in energy drinks is also very variable and may not be exact because the manufacturer can decide whether they want to provide information on the caffeine content in their drink. In general, the 12- to- 16-ounce energy drinks can have anywhere from 75 to 260 milligrams of caffeine per serving.

Let’s compare this caffeine level to coffee. In eight ounces of coffee, there’s usually 100 to 200 milligrams of caffeine. An eight ounce of black tea has about half of the caffeine in a coffee. A 12-ounce can of soda would have even less than a cup of black tea. Energy drinks are higher.

Does caffeine hurt a young person? Studies show that caffeine increases blood pressure. After drinking only one can of energy drink, within 30 minutes, the blood pressure may increase by as much as seven millimeters of mercury. In a healthy young person, the heart will recoup, but other heart challenges may happen, like palpitations and rhythm irregularities. In terms of emotional health, short-term effects of caffeine include agitation, insomnia, difficulty sleeping or falling asleep, risk of depression, and anxiety.

Manufacturers can put as much sugar in the energy drink as they wish; sugar can range from 30 grams up to 70 grams in one serving. A teaspoon has about four grams of sugar. If an energy drink has about 60 grams, we’ve talking about 15 teaspoons of sugar in one serving.

Finally, while a lot of people believe that energy drinks will hydrate them, studies say it’s the opposite. The drinks have a net diuretic effect (increasing urine output) due to their high caffeine content.

It’s a good idea for you to stay away from the desert and hydrate with water. And continue talking with your mom.

Have a question? Send it to Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski’s email podmj@healthyteens.com.