If you’re a parent in North Texas, chances are you’ve noticed the rising popularity of energy drinks and trendy beverages like Prime and Alani Nu among teens. With colorful packaging and social media buzz, these drinks are everywhere — but how much caffeine is too much for teenagers, and what should you watch out for?

How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?

While caffeine is common in everything from soda to chocolate, there is such a thing as too much, especially for kids and teens. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), adolescents ages 12 to 18 should consume no more than 100 milligrams of caffeine per day. That’s about the amount in a small cup of coffee or one 12-ounce can of soda.

But many energy drinks go far beyond that. For example:

• Prime Energy contains 200 mg of caffeine per can—double the recommended daily limit for teens.
• Alani Nu Energy packs 200 mg of caffeine in just 12 ounces, and it's often marketed with bright colors and flavors that appeal to younger consumers.
• Other popular drinks like Celsius, Bang, or Monster often contain 150–300 mg of caffeine per serving.
• By comparison: A typical cup of coffee has 80–100 mg of caffeine, and a can of soda has about 35 mg.

On top of that, many of these drinks include added sugars, artificial sweeteners, and herbal stimulants that aren’t well-studied in children or teens.

What Can Too Much Caffeine Do?

Caffeine affects everyone a little differently, but for growing teens, the consequences of consuming too much can be more serious. High levels of caffeine can increase heart rate and blood pressure, sometimes to the point of causing discomfort or even palpitations.

It can also interfere with sleep, a key factor in your teen’s mood, school performance, and overall development. Some teens may experience increased anxiety, jitteriness, or digestive issues after having energy drinks or other highly caffeinated beverages. And because caffeine is a diuretic, it can contribute to dehydration, especially if your teen is drinking it during sports or hot weather.

In rare but serious cases, excessive caffeine intake has been linked to dangerous heart rhythm problems. A 2023 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that energy drinks were involved in over 1,400 emergency department visits among adolescents in a single year — highlighting just how real the risks can be.

What About “Hydration” or “Wellness” Drinks?

Not all trendy drinks are energy drinks, but many still come with unnecessary extras. Drinks like Prime Hydration or Liquid I.V. are marketed as electrolyte-rich options to boost performance or recovery. While they may not contain caffeine, they often contain high levels of sodium, potassium, and added sugars — ingredients that most healthy, active teens don’t actually need unless they’re engaging in extended, intense physical activity.

Some other drinks claim to have adaptogens, nootropics, or vitamins that promise better focus or less stress. These claims can be misleading, and the effects of these ingredients on adolescents haven’t been thoroughly studied.

How You Can Help Your Teen Make Better Choices

You don’t have to ban every brightly colored can in the fridge, but being informed and having honest conversations with your teen can go a long way.

Here are some ways to support healthier habits:

• Read labels together. Encourage your teen to check the caffeine content and ingredients before buying a new drink.
• Set limits. Try to keep daily caffeine intake below 100 mg for teens — and none at all for younger kids.
• Model healthy hydration. Water, low-fat milk, and unsweetened drinks should be the go-to options for everyday hydration.
• Get curious instead of critical. Ask your teen why they like certain drinks. Is it the taste, the energy boost, or the branding? Understanding their “why” helps you guide them to better choices.

If your child is consistently relying on energy drinks to feel alert or perform better, it may be a sign they’re not getting enough sleep or nutrition, and that’s something worth talking to your pediatrician about.

Bottom Line for Parents

Trendy drinks might seem harmless, but caffeine overload in teens is a real concern. Energy drinks like Alani Nu and Prime Energy are not recommended for teenagers due to their high caffeine content. One can may contain twice the safe daily limit for teens, increasing the risk of negative side effects. Help your teen make informed choices by talking openly about caffeine, reading labels together, and offering healthier alternatives.

If you have concerns about your child’s caffeine intake or notice symptoms like sleep problems or anxiety, reach out to your doctor or pediatrician for guidance.

Sources:

• American Academy of Pediatrics: Caffeine and Children
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Energy Drink Consumption
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Caffeine in Food and Beverages