At What Age Should We Stop Drinking Energy Drinks?

We’ve written before at HuffPost UK about when dementia experts think we should consider giving up booze for good to keep our brains healthy.

Speaking to HuffPost UK, Dr Arun Narayanan, a clinical electrophysiologist and an assistant professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at the University of Texas Medical Branch, said that another beverage – energy drinks – might carry risks for our hearts, too.

“Energy drinks may affect the heart differently [than other caffeinated drinks] because they often deliver caffeine in larger doses, more quickly, and in combination with additional stimulants or additives,” he shared.

“This can increase the risk of palpitations, elevated blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, and, in susceptible individuals, more serious cardiac events. Tea and coffee are generally better studied, more predictable in composition, and less likely to contain multiple stimulant compounds in a single serving,” he said.

We asked the expert what he thinks the upper limit of energy drink consumption should be in a single day, as well as at what age (if any) we should quit it cold turkey.

Dr Narayanan said, “In general, I would recommend limiting energy drinks to no more than one standard-sized can per day, and for many individuals, avoiding them altogether may be the safer choice”.

The expert said 400mg of caffeine a day is often considered the safe limit.

“Unlike coffee or tea, many energy drinks contain high caffeine concentrations consumed rapidly, along with sugar, taurine, guarana, and other stimulants that may amplify cardiovascular effects,” he said.

Too much caffeine may “increase heart rate, blood pressure, palpitations, anxiety, and sleep disruption.”

Dr Narayanan told us it’s not so much about a person’s age as it is their health.

“Rather than age alone, the more important issue is underlying health status. Older adults are more likely to have hypertension, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, or other rhythm disorders that can be worsened by stimulant beverages,” he said.

“I would advise individuals with cardiovascular disease, arrhythmias, uncontrolled blood pressure, or frailty to avoid energy drinks regardless of age. For healthy older adults, caution and moderation are still appropriate.”