The drink that adds 12 heartbeats per minute

Behind the can lies a troubling promise

The triple alliance for alertness: caffeine, taurine, and guarana

The star ingredient in energy drinks remains caffeine. Present in amounts often exceeding that of a cup of coffee, it blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, artificially staving off feelings of fatigue. Added to this are taurine —a controversial amino acid whose effects at high doses raise questions—and guarana, an Amazonian plant four times more concentrated in caffeine than coffee itself. This trio works synergistically, boosting alertness, heart rate, and blood pressure... as well as, at times, side effects.

Powerful stimulation driven by eye-catching packaging

Colourful, metallic, and often covered in graphics evoking speed, danger, or performance, energy drink cans serve as visual promises. The design speaks to a generation that consumes with their eyes first. Form follows function: everything here is designed to energise, awaken, and galvanise. Even the product names—Monster, Burn, Red Bull—play on the theme of controlled transgression.

What science reveals about ingredient synergy

The combination of active ingredients in energy drinks is not merely a marketing strategy. Recent studies show that their effects do not merely add up: they can potentiate each other. The caffeine–taurine combination, for example, has a more pronounced effect on the heart than caffeine alone. Guarana prolongs the stimulating effect for several hours. And contrary to appearances, the B vitamins or glucuronolactone added to the formula do not contribute much in terms of energy. They serve primarily to make the label look greener.

Why energy drinks appeal so strongly to young people

Academic and social pressure

In a society that prizes endurance, responsiveness, and performance from an early age, energy drinks emerge as convenient allies. For students under pressure, high schoolers facing exams, and young professionals working irregular hours—where fatigue has no place —energy drinks offer a quick, accessible solution perceived as “functional.” Their use is not always for socialising; it is often utilitarian —or even defensive —in the face of relentless demands for productivity.

The new codes of endurance

Energy drinks have successfully infiltrated key moments of youth social life: intense gaming sessions, long nights out, festivals, and amateur sports competitions. Drinking a can becomes a way to "keep going longer," to stay in the flow, and not drop out while others carry on. Among adolescents and young adults, energy drinks serve as a lifestyle marker. The association between performance, endurance, and instant gratification boosts their appeal.

When marketing feeds on teenage fatigue

Brands have realised that fatigue, stress, and the need for recognition are powerful levers. Sponsoring athletes, partnering with streamers, product placement in e-sports competitions, and social media outreach via influencers—everything is designed to turn the product into a reflex. And it works. A large proportion of teenage consumers do not view these campaigns as advertising, but rather as a cultural norm. The result: normalised consumption—often daily, and sometimes starting as early as age 12 or 13.

A racing heart and unmistakable signs

Cardiac impact measured from the very first can

Effects on the cardiovascular system are measurable from the very first dose. A study published in 2024 in Heart Rhythm observed an average increase of 12 beats per minute after consuming a can of energy drink, accompanied by a sustained rise in blood pressure. Even more concerning, these drinks prolong the QT interval on the electrocardiogram, increasing the risk of arrhythmia, even in healthy young people. These disturbances can last for several hours and recur with regular consumption.

Anxiety, sleep disorders, and risky behaviours

Side effects are not limited to the heart. Frequent consumption is associated with increased anxiety, persistent sleep disorders, and difficulty concentrating. Among adolescents, studies also show a significant correlation with risky behaviours: aggression, psychoactive substance use, and unprotected sex. Although direct causality remains debated, the accumulation of these early warning signs is raising concerns among healthcare professionals and educators.

Young people at the centre of a public health risk

The figures are undeniable. In Europe, nearly 12% of adolescents consume these drinks several times a week. A significant proportion exceeds the safety thresholds recommended by health agencies, exposing their still-developing bodies to long-term imbalances. In France, there is currently no legislation banning sales to minors, despite repeated warnings from the medical community. Prevention therefore relies on raising awareness... or on the individual initiatives of certain retailers.

Should these energy drinks be regulated as high-risk substances?

Regulations in France remain too permissive

Despite repeated medical warnings, France currently has no specific regulations banning the sale of energy drinks to minors. The only requirement concerns labelling, which must indicate high caffeine content and advise against consumption by children and pregnant women. There are no penalties and no systematic checks. This minimalist approach contrasts with public health data and leaves retailers with the moral responsibility of deciding whether or not to restrict young people's access to these products.

Lines crossed and laws evolving across Europe

Elsewhere in Europe, attitudes are shifting. The UK is preparing to ban the sale of energy drinks to under-16s, joining countries such as Norway, Lithuania, and Slovenia, which have already established age limits or banned certain highly concentrated formulations. In Slovenia, the "Prime Energy" drink was withdrawn from the market for exceeding the permitted caffeine limit and containing non-compliant levels of L-theanine. These measures reflect a clear awareness of the health risks these products pose to young people.

A powerful industry that stalls reforms

In response to these regulatory attempts, players in the energy drink industry put forward two main arguments: the importance of consumer information rather than outright bans, and the lack of conclusive evidence regarding the harmfulness of their products at recommended dosage levels. Behind these stances lies powerful lobbying driven by global giants like Red Bull and Monster; they defend a rapidly expanding market and capitalise on an image of freedom, performance, and youth culture that is difficult to regulate.

Is coffee comparable to an energy drink?

Same molecule, yet vastly different physiological effects

Coffee and energy drinks share one key element: caffeine. However, their impact on the body differs significantly. A cup of coffee contains an average of 90 mg of caffeine—an amount equivalent to, or sometimes even less than, that found in a can of energy drink. But energy drinks go further. They combine caffeine with other compounds such as taurine and guarana, altering the intensity and duration of the effects. The result is a more sudden, prolonged stimulation and more pronounced side effects. The heart races faster, and it takes longer for the body to return to equilibrium.

The impact of added ingredients

While coffee is a simple product—water plus ground coffee—energy drinks are complex formulas. Artificial flavours, fast-acting sugars, sweeteners, preservatives, and colourings: the energy provided is sometimes more chemical than natural. In contrast, coffee contains antioxidants and magnesium, and is associated with protective effects on certain cognitive or metabolic functions when consumed in moderation. Therefore, it is not caffeine itself that poses a problem, but the context in which it is consumed, and the functional packaging that accompanies it.

Coffee break or adrenaline rush?

Coffee is part of long-standing cultural rituals: morning breaks, moments of social connection, and the act of savouring the flavour. It is rarely consumed solely for a performance-enhancing boost, even though it can serve that purpose on occasion. Conversely, energy drinks are positioned around immediate utility, often with little regard for taste. They are consumed quickly—often in isolation—during times of stress or physical exertion. This disparity between cultural use and functional use could explain why the body reacts differently... even to the same dose of caffeine.

What if we chose gentler sources of energy?

Natural alternatives: caffeine-free, yet effective!

In light of the limitations of energy drinks, a new generation of beverages is focusing on natural ingredients. Herbal infusions, green teas, enhanced waters, and superfood-based juices offer a more gradual boost in vitality, without significant side effects. Their promise: gentle stimulation that aligns with the body's natural rhythms.

The rise of functional and adaptogenic drinks

Kombuchas, adaptogen-infused mocktails (maca, ginseng, rhodiola), natural vitamin shots... These products appeal to consumers who value balance without sacrificing performance. They embody a different concept of energy—slower, yet more stable.