21-Year-Old Hospitalized After Energy Drink Habit Harms Kidneys

A 21-year-old man from Turkey found himself in the emergency room after his daily consumption of eight energy drinks caused serious kidney issues.

This young man, whose identity hasn’t been disclosed, arrived at the hospital reporting nausea and vomiting that began the previous day. Interestingly, he had no history of chronic health issues, wasn’t overweight, and led an active lifestyle without any known drug or alcohol abuse.

Upon examination, blood tests showed alarming results: his creatinine levels—a waste product from normal muscle function—were about five times above the typical range. Additionally, his phosphorus levels, which are crucial for cell and bone health, were three times higher than normal. These findings indicated that his kidneys were struggling to filter waste, which can lead to organ failure or other serious health problems if not addressed.

The man explained to the medical team that he had been preparing for an upcoming race and was consuming about two liters of energy drink each day to stay alert. Unfortunately, this excessive intake resulted in a stage three acute kidney injury (AKI), a condition that falls into the middle category of acute kidney disease.

Energy drinks have gained significant popularity, particularly among young people. In the U.S., one in three adults admits to drinking them occasionally, with about nine percent indulging daily. Among teenagers aged 12 to 17, usage rates can be as high as 50 percent.

Statistics from the American Kidney Fund indicate that around 10 percent of Americans, or about 35 million people, are living with some form of kidney disease. Strikingly, most of these individuals—around 90 percent—are unaware of their condition, including one-third of those with significantly impaired kidney function. When kidneys fail to filter waste properly, it can cause dangerous accumulations of fluid in the body, posing risks such as heart attacks, strokes, and weakened immune systems.

Typically, acute kidney injuries stem from reduced blood flow, organ damage, or blocked urine flow. Although the young man had no pre-existing health issues, his alarming energy drink consumption was likely the cause of his kidney injury, the doctors noted in a case study.

Energy drinks generally contain caffeine, B vitamins, sugar, and various additives, including taurine and guarana. One common energy drink has about 80 milligrams of caffeine per 8.4-ounce can, similar to a cup of coffee. If he was indeed consuming eight cans, that totals around 640 milligrams of caffeine—exceeding the FDA’s daily limit of 400 milligrams.

Recent studies suggest that high caffeine intake, particularly over 500 milligrams daily, could elevate the risk of kidney stones. While caffeine is a stimulant that can temporarily elevate blood pressure, excessive amounts may strain the kidneys.

The medical team’s report highlighted that one of the drinks he consumed contained 150 milligrams of caffeine per liter and 800 milligrams of taurine per liter, suggesting taurine might be a significant factor in his condition.

Taurine is an amino acid naturally found in various human tissues and is also present in foods such as meat and fish. While it’s typically safe in small quantities, excessive taurine can lead to symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea. Combined with high caffeine levels, taurine may contribute to dehydration and hypertension, both of which can harm the kidneys.

In their medical journal article, the doctors treating this young man proposed that the combination of taurine and caffeine was likely to blame for his kidney injury.

He was admitted to a kidney clinic and advised to stop consuming energy drinks immediately. The doctors emphasized that the first step in treating energy drink-related AKI is to eliminate those drinks from the diet. Miraculously, over a period of 16 days, his creatinine levels returned to normal and he did not require dialysis or long-term treatments. The medical team continued to monitor his condition for two years, during which his kidney function remained stable.