26. We Need to Talk About Energy Drinks

Energy drinks have become a normalized part of everyday life, but what happens when high-caffeine products become deeply embedded in college campuses, athletics, and youth culture?

In this episode of Go With Your Gut, I take a closer look at the growing presence of energy drinks and the ways these products are being marketed to teens and young adults. From college campus pop-ups and free samples to athletic sponsorships and social media, energy drink companies have found countless ways to make these products feel like a normal part of studying, sports, and everyday life.

I break down what high doses of caffeine can do to the body, including how caffeine blocks the brain's fatigue signals and can contribute to a cycle of fatigue, poor sleep, and reaching for another stimulant. I also explore the cardiovascular risks associated with energy drinks and why serious adverse events can occur even in people without a known heart condition.

We also take a closer look at what is actually inside these drinks. Ingredients like taurine, guarana, yerba mate, B vitamins, L-carnitine, ginseng, and adaptogens can create the impression of a healthy, performance-enhancing product, while the combined effects and appropriate dosing of these ingredients are not always well understood, particularly for those under 18.

So if energy drinks aren't the answer to fatigue, what is? I discuss the underlying reasons we may feel tired, from sleep debt and dehydration to nutrition, blood sugar regulation, and chronic stress. I share practical strategies for building more sustainable energy through sleep, nutrition, hydration, morning light, movement, and lower-caffeine alternatives like green tea and matcha.

Most importantly, this conversation asks us to look beyond the can and consider why so many young people feel like they need a stimulant just to get through the day.

If you're a parent, student, athlete, educator, or anyone looking to better understand caffeine, energy drinks, and sustainable energy, this episode is for you.

https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/122662

https://acsm.org/exercise-energy-drinks/

https://www.todaysdietitian.com/acsm-releases-new-recommendations-warnings-on-energy-drink-safety/

Learn more about my work at https://www.normaflood.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@normaflood

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@normafloodrdn

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normaflood23/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norma.flood.nutritionist

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/norma-flood-ms-rd-4bbb1515/

Produced by Marley Huggins: https://www.marrrmedia.com/