Let’s be honest, although very loved, energy drinks are not good for our health. Energy drinks can lead to increased heart rate and blood pressure because of the combination of high caffeine and added stimulates, according to the CDC. However, some brands are worse than others. Going all the way from a lawsuit, to false claims about the drink, to even the ingredients not being FDA regulated; Celsius Energy seems to be the worst.
In November of 2022, there was a class action lawsuit filed against Celsius drinks. This lawsuit alleged that the energy drinks labels are misleading. Their label says they contain no preservatives, although they contain citric acid. The company claims that the citric acid in their product is only used as a flavoring agent. However, citric acid is considered a preservative no matter the use because of its acidic nature that helps to extend shelf life, proving the misleading label.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a federal agency responsible for controlling all the food, beverages, and drugs we consume. The FDA does not regulate energy drinks any different than they do other beverages. This means that once they are approved, they can change their ingredients without needing further approval unless it is a change in color additives. Celsius contains guarana, which is a banned stimulate by the NCAA, the National Olympic Committee, and the World Anti-Doping Agency. Without FDA regulation, this ingredient gets passed and has been continuously sold. Most people might ask “What is guarana?” This stimulate is used as a caffeine source. The ingredient is derived from seeds originating in South America. These seeds contain four to five percent caffeine, which is over double the amount found in a typical coffee bean, which is 1.2 to 2.7%. This means that 200mg of caffeine in one 12 oz (about 354.88 ml) can of Celsius energy is equal to almost 5 cups of coffee.
The bottom line is that Celsius Energy drinks propose health risks and contain unhealthy amounts of caffeine. Some of the best sources of energy are a healthy diet, getting a proper 8-10 hours of sleep, staying hydrated, reducing stress, and exercising. If you really need a caffeine boost, try something with a lower level of caffeine like Red Bull, V8 Energy, or a fresh cup of coffee.
