Caffeine consumption by high school students, specifically energy drinks, has raised health concerns.
According to a July 2024 article published by the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), an average of 30-50 percent of adolescents report that they consume energy drinks. Milton High School Nurse Ms. Crystal Hoover shared her insights on the topic.
“I am against energy drinks for kids. It is true; energy drinks can give a temporary boost in alertness because of their caffeine content, but for students, the risks outweigh the benefits,” Ms. Hoover said.
According to the CDC article: “An energy drink typically contains large amounts of caffeine, added sugars, other additives, and legal stimulants (guarana, taurine, and L-carnitine). The legal stimulants can increase alertness, attention, and energy. They can also increase blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing.”
Ms. Hoover added although energy drinks are marketed to give people a “good” boost,
she believes that “many energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine and sugar, which can negatively affect a student’s heart, sleep, stomach and overall health.”
“It’s very common to see students carrying energy drinks around, especially in the morning,” said Ms. Hoover. “Many students rely on caffeine to stay awake or focused instead of managing their time. This can lead to caffeine dependence at a young age.”
“I have about one to maybe 1.5 energy drinks in my day to day,” said Junior Vivian Bell. “I typically get between two to six hours of sleep per night, six if I’m lucky. My lack of sleep might be a direct result of the amount of energy drinks I have, but they also help me stay awake if I have a lot of work to do that night. They also help wake me up in the mornings.”
Ms. Hoover explained healthier ways to obtain energy. “Things like going to bed at a normal time, getting at least seven hours of sleep, eating good foods to get the proper nutrition, and hydrating with water can also give you energy,” she said.
“Drinking water (adding lemon or another fruit for flavor), eating a balanced breakfast with protein and whole grains, eating fruit, having yogurt or a smoothie, and getting enough sleep are all healthier ways to maintain energy throughout the day,” Ms. Hoover added.
According to Ms. Hoover, “Energy drinks can cause increased heart rate, anxiety, headaches, stomach problems, dehydration, and difficulty sleeping. There are cases out there that students have died due to heart issues caused by energy drinks.”
“Small amounts of caffeine can have a greater effect on children because of their smaller body size and the fact that their brain is still under development,” according to an April 2025 article published by the National Library of Medicine.
“I notice that I get a lot more work done in the school day if I’ve had an energy drink that morning, that’s a reason why I have yet to stop drinking them,” said Vivian. “Even though I know they are harmful, they help me stay focused and motivated.”
Ms. Hoover added she does not promote caffeine consumption by athletes either. “Wateris great for our bodies and if you are doing something high impact and for a longer time,\ then you should do some electrolyte replacement as well,” she explained.“Better labeling, age restrictions, and education for students and parents would help reduce overconsumption and promote healthier habits.”
“I do believe that energy drinks are harmful for children and teenagers, and the lack of regulation is astonishing. For that reason there should objectively be stricter regulations,” said
Vivian. “However, because of my situation, I’d be really frustrated if they had an age cap on them.”
