Pissing Blood, Collapsing in Clubs, and Dying of Heart Attacks: The Disturbing Truth About the Energy Drink Industry
An investigation reveals the health dangers of energy drinks: teenagers consume dangerous amounts, arrive at emergency rooms with arrhythmias and high blood pressure, and influencers continue promoting risky challenges. European countries impose age restrictions, but in Israel and Germany the market remains open.
A new investigation reveals the heavy health cost of the energy drink industry. Teenagers drink several cans a day and end up in hospitals with arrhythmias and high blood pressure. In one case, a 22-year-old woman from Cologne collapsed in a nightclub and needed resuscitation after drinking six cans of energy drink. Hospitals report a steady increase in pediatric emergency visits. Despite companies' pledges not to market to children, influencers and streamers with millions of young followers continue promoting the drinks. Countries like Poland, Romania, Norway, and Croatia have already imposed age restrictions, but in Germany the market is unregulated. According to Der Spiegel, Red Bull lobbyists influence politicians. TikTok star Andy Nguyen had to stop a Monster challenge after eight days because he was pissing blood, and immediately posted a new challenge. Red Bull responded that the drink is safe and approved in 170 countries; Monster declined to comment.