When stress from school gets overwhelming, some students gravitate to the quick fix of energy drinks. These beverages, packed with sugar and caffeine, are intended to fuel consumers’ energy and mood. Studies have shown the ingredients in energy drinks can cause increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and sleep disturbances. Though a drink’s effectiveness depends on the brand and is usually short-lived, some students find energy drinks helpful to stay motivated and awake.
“I drink them so I can have energy at school, and they taste good,” sophomore Athena Steiber said. She brings Red Bull, a popular energy drink, to school every day. “Even though they only last for like an hour, they’re really good and I love them,” she added.
Although beverages like coffee and tea can have a similar energizing effect, some teens have shown more interest in these canned drinks for their exciting flavors. Adolescents are also attracted to these drinks because of effective product marketing and peer influence. Brands often use media influence and flashy ads to exaggerate the effects of their products with slogans to appeal to younger audiences. Convenience also makes these drinks attractive—students can just grab a can out of their fridge instead of brewing coffee, which takes time and energy.
“Though they might be easier to bring, I am not switching to energy drinks,” sophomore Sonia Haggie said. Haggie picks up a drink from Philz every morning before school. But energy drinks are proving to become more and more of a match for coffee, if not for convenience then for flavor.
“Although they do keep me awake, I honestly drink energy drinks because I like them,” junior Emi Cordova said. They explained that while energy drinks help them stay alert during class, their main purpose in bringing them to school is for personal enjoyment. “I drink two a day. It’s kind of a problem, but they’re great.”
While these drinks may help students stay energized, their short-term effects can lead to dependence on caffeine or extreme fatigue.
“Sometimes I feel tired when I don’t drink them,” junior Madeline McHugo said. “At times, I even drink them multiple times a day. It’s difficult for me to go without an energy drink every day.”
Not only do these drinks contain large amounts of sugar and caffeine, but they also use artificial flavoring to enhance their effects. Caffeine levels found in energy drinks are higher than the percentages found in regular ground coffee, although the specific brand of drink and type of coffee must be considered. For example, a 12 oz cup of regular ground coffee contains 80-120 mg of caffeine, while a 12 oz can of ‘Prime Energy’ contains 200 mg of caffeine.
“I like them because they taste good,” sophomore Asa Grant said. “PRIME was all over the internet for a while, and I saw it on TikTok a lot, so I bought some to see if the hype was worth it. I always see people with them in first period.”
As the growing presence of these drinks around campus may influence students, increased promotion on social media has further contributed to the rising dependence on energy drinks.
Influencers like Logan Paul, one of PRIME’s co-creators, extensively promote these brands on social media, targeting their teenage followers. Other people normalize and flaunt obsessions with these drinks, further encouraging others to follow these trends.
While PRIME is a current trend, Red Bull, Monster, and Celsius were reportedly the most popular options in the U.S. in 2023. The same statistics show an increase in sales and popularity; brands are selling 9.9% more in 2024 compared to the previous year, and are expected to have an annual growth rate of 6.2% through 2025.
The desire to fit into social standards and relate to celebrity lifestyles has fueled this fad, ultimately leading many young minds to prioritize their external validation over long-term health and well-being. Other students simply like the way they taste. “I know they’re not great for my heart, but I still like the flavor,” Cordova said.
