South Carolina — Doctors are warning about the risks energy drinks can pose to children and teens after the 2017 death of 16-year-old Davis Cripe, who suffered a fatal heart rhythm problem after consuming an energy drink following other caffeinated beverages earlier that day. The case is now part of a broader effort by doctors to raise concerns about energy drink marketing to young people, including a sponsorship deal between Monster Energy and the Big 12 Conference.
The Brief
- Doctors are warning that the high caffeine levels in energy drinks can cause serious health problems for children and teens, including heart problems, high blood pressure, dehydration and seizures.
- A group of doctors is asking the Big 12 Conference to pause its Monster Energy sponsorship and urging the NCAA to review energy drink marketing aimed at young people.
- The doctors’ concerns include the 2017 death of Davis Cripe, a 16-year-old from South Carolina who developed a fatal heart rhythm problem after drinking an energy drink following other caffeinated drinks that day.
Doctors Warn About Energy Drinks and Kids
What We Know
Energy drinks have become a concern for doctors because of their high caffeine levels and other stimulants. Medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend that children and teens avoid energy drinks because too much caffeine can affect the heart and nervous system.
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The concern also includes young athletes, who may drink energy drinks along with other caffeinated beverages. Davis Cripe, who was 16, died in 2017 after developing an abnormal heart rhythm. A coroner said he had consumed a Mountain Dew and a latte from McDonald’s earlier that day before drinking the energy drink.
Doctors are now raising these concerns as the Big 12 Conference moves forward with a sponsorship deal with Monster Energy. The agreement includes Monster branding on football and basketball jerseys, playing areas, digital platforms and social media. A group of doctors has asked the Big 12 to pause the deal and urged the NCAA to review energy drink marketing aimed at young people.
The American Beverage Association said its members disclose caffeine amounts on product labels and do not sell or market energy drinks in K-12 schools. Monster said energy drinks have been sold worldwide for more than 30 years and that more than 100 billion have been sold and consumed globally.
Family Shares Davis Cripe’s Story
Sean and Heidi Cripe still remember the call from Davis’ high school saying their son was being taken to the emergency room. Davis was 16 and had no known heart condition.
Earlier that day in 2017, Davis had a Mountain Dew and a latte from McDonald’s before drinking an energy drink. His heart later went into an abnormal rhythm, and he died. His father, Sean Cripe, said the family had warned Davis that energy drinks were not healthy but did not know they could be deadly.
Sean hopes that sharing Davis’ story will help other parents and children understand the risks linked to too much caffeine.
Caffeine Risks for Children | Energy Drinks and Kids
Children and teens can get far more caffeine from energy drinks than from many common drinks. Depending on the product, an energy drink can contain between 80 and 300 milligrams of caffeine per serving. An 8-ounce coffee typically contains about 80 to 100 milligrams, while some sodas contain 50 milligrams or less.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ages 12 to 18 limit caffeine to 100 milligrams a day. Younger children are discouraged from consuming caffeine.
Doctors say caffeine and other stimulants can increase heart rate and nervous system activity. Dr. Tamara Hannon, an Indiana pediatrician who chairs the academy’s nutrition committee, compared the effect to running a blender until its motor becomes too hot.
Children with conditions such as high blood pressure may face greater risks, but doctors also warn that healthy children can experience serious problems after consuming too much caffeine.
Medical experts also say there is no scientifically valid evidence that caffeine can stunt a person’s growth.
Energy Drinks and Sports Marketing
The doctors involved in the effort say their concerns are not limited to Monster Energy. They are raising concerns about energy drinks more broadly and partnerships that could put these products in front of young people.
Dr. Matthew Nelson, an Idaho cardiologist involved with the effort, said children may see energy drinks promoted by universities and athletes they admire and may begin to view them as sports drinks.
The Big 12 said the energy drink category is not new to college athletics and that beverage companies are looking for ways to reach sports fans.
The NCAA said it does not have authority over conference or school sponsorship agreements. Dr. Deena Casiero, the NCAA’s chief medical officer, said the association provides schools with educational resources about caffeine and student-athlete health. She also said caffeine has been a topic of interest for an NCAA committee, which recently commissioned a cardiac advisory group.
How Parents Can Help
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says teachers and coaches can help children understand the risks of too much caffeine and explain the difference between energy drinks and sports drinks.
Sports drinks are designed to help replace water and electrolytes lost through sweating after physical activity. They are different from energy drinks.
Parents and other adults can also set an example by avoiding energy drinks around children.
Dr. Hannon encourages parents to talk with pediatricians about all the beverages their children consume during regular medical visits. Her advice to families is simple: “Rethink your drink.”
Sean Cripe also hopes that sharing his family’s experience will help children understand why energy drinks are not meant for them.
