A man who drank 2L of energy drinks daily almost became a lost cause
A 21-year-old man in the UK who drank 2 liters of energy drinks daily for two years ended up hospitalized with heart failure, nearly dying. This incident became a hot topic in Japanese news.
For more details, please refer to the BMJ (British Medical Journal) Case Reports article "Energy drink-induced cardiomyopathy" published on April 15, 2021 at BMJ Case Reports. BMJ is one of the top five medical journals globally.
This will likely be referenced in future cases involving energy drink-related incidents, so I’ve summarized the situation in the UK regarding energy drinks as well.
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Author: Energy Drink-kun
In 2001, while living in the United States, I encountered energy drinks through the dance scene and was deeply impressed. After returning to Japan, I found that energy drinks were considered novelty beverages, so I established a comprehensive website in 2013 to share the true appeal of energy drinks. As an energy drink enthusiast, I began drinking them seriously again, collecting over 7,000 varieties of energy drinks from various countries. I am also active as a critic and expert, receiving media interviews.
21-Year-Old British Man with Heart and Kidney Failure
This news concerns an incident involving a 21-year-old male university student in the UK. I have summarized key points about the man below.
- 21-year-old British male university student
- Drank an average of 2L (4 cans of 500ml) of energy drinks daily for two years
- Former smoker. No alcohol or drug use
- Had been absent from university due to lethargy and poor health
Symptoms Before Hospitalization
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Fever
- Abdominal bloating
- Weight loss
- General fatigue
- Severe headaches when not drinking energy drinks
Three months before hospitalization, the man had been prescribed antibiotics by a doctor, but his condition worsened. When he visited a different hospital, he was diagnosed with severe kidney failure and was admitted for tests and treatment.
Test Results
- Heart failure (heart transplant considered)
- Kidney failure (kidney transplant considered for the future)
- Ascites
At first, the man’s condition was so serious that heart and kidney transplants were considered necessary. However, after receiving appropriate treatment, his heart and kidney functions gradually improved, and he was discharged after 58 days. During hospitalization, he stopped drinking energy drinks, leading to noticeable recovery in his heart function and the disappearance of arrhythmias.
After 9 months, he further recovered and was able to exercise, but due to severe kidney damage, a kidney transplant may be required in the future.
British Man Who Drank 4 Cans of 500ml Energy Drinks Daily
In the UK, major energy drink brands are sold in 500ml cans, including Monster Energy, Rockstar, Relentless, among others. There are also countless lesser-known budget brands, mostly sold in 250ml cans.
Although the BMJ report did not mention which energy drinks the man consumed, it is highly likely that he was drinking one of these major brands in 500ml cans.
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These drinks typically contain 160mg of caffeine per can, so drinking 4 cans daily would lead to a regular intake of 640mg. If we assume each can also contains over 50g of sugar, the man would have been consuming about 200-300g of extra sugar daily, aside from his regular meals and snacks. There are zero-sugar options available, but it is unclear which type he drank.
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640mg of Caffeine Per Day
According to the man, he consumed 640mg of caffeine daily for two years.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan states that "healthy adults should limit caffeine intake to 400mg per day," citing data from the Canadian Health Ministry. Therefore, this case involved over 1.5 times the recommended daily intake.
Although 640mg might not seem excessively high at first glance, continuously consuming this amount is likely to have been problematic. Most people would have noticed symptoms of caffeine toxicity, such as palpitations, within a few days and stopped drinking energy drinks. This case, therefore, seems rare.
Interestingly, there is no universally agreed-upon lifetime safe caffeine intake, as it varies greatly between individuals, and both Japan and international guidelines do not set a specific daily maximum.
The Canadian Health Ministry (HC) states that a healthy adult can safely consume up to 400mg of caffeine daily (about three cups of coffee). Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, or those planning pregnancy are advised to limit their intake to 300mg (about two cups of coffee).
Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare - Excessive Caffeine Intake Q&A
As for the lifetime acceptable daily intake (ADI) for caffeine, there are no international or Japanese guidelines due to the large individual differences in response.
That said, many coffee lovers at work drink multiple cups every day... If you consume more than four cups of coffee daily, it’s advisable to be cautious.
The Man Who Spent ¥800 on Energy Drinks Daily
Drinking four cans of energy drinks costing about ¥200 each daily would result in an expenditure of around ¥24,000 per month. Over two years, that amounts to approximately ¥576,000... Most people wouldn't spend so much on energy drinks (unless they are enthusiasts).
Whether Japanese or International Products, Don’t Overconsume
It’s dangerous to think that Japanese energy drinks are weak and therefore safe. For example, in Monster Energy, Japanese cans contain 40mg of caffeine per 100ml (142mg in a 355ml can), while UK cans contain 32mg per 100ml (160mg in a 500ml can). This makes it easier for someone drinking Japanese Monster Energy to reach a daily intake of 640mg, similar to the British case.
(Other ingredients, when checked on the nutrition labels of various countries, show that there isn’t much difference between Japan and overseas.)
Recently, Japan has seen an increase in energy drinks with high caffeine content, even in 250ml cans, so it’s important to be cautious about overconsumption.
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