# Energy Drinks: Myths vs. Reality

> Energy drinks' health myths are exaggerated, but they still offer benefits in moderation.
- Title: Energy Drinks: Myths vs. Reality · Men's Health | Shortify
- Summary: Energy drinks' health myths are exaggerated, but they still offer benefits in moderation. Energy drinks can inhibit muscle growth by up to 90% in lab studies…
- Keywords: energy drinks, caffeine, muscle growth, cancer risk, heart health, liver damage, dietitian, scientific study, muscle differentiation, acesulfame-k, heart attack, niacin
- Source: Men's Health — https://menshealth.com/nutrition/a73826498/are-energy-drinks-bad-for-you
- Author: Paul Kita
- Published: 2026-09-30T14:06:25+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: energy drinks, caffeine, muscle growth, cancer risk, heart health, liver damage, dietitian, scientific study, muscle differentiation, acesulfame-k, heart attack, niacin
## Energy Drinks Surge in Popularity
Second wave energy drinks like Celsius, GHOST, and Alani Nu are gaining popularity as better-for-you alternatives to traditional energy drinks or coffee.
## Muscle Growth Myth
A study showed mouse muscle cells exposed to energy drinks had a 90 percent reduction in markers of muscle-cell differentiation.

> In a study published in Scientific Reports, mouse muscle cells exposed to certain energy drinks in a laboratory had a more than 90 percent reduction in markers of muscle-cell differentiation, a step in the process of making and repairing muscle.
## Cancer Risk Myth
One study suggested people who consumed the most Acesulfame-K had a 13 percent higher risk of developing cancer.

> There's one study in humans suggesting that people who consumed the most Acesulfame-K had a 13 percent higher risk of developing cancer.
## Heart Health Concerns
Energy drinks can increase blood pressure and heart rate, potentially contributing to serious heart problems when consumed in excess.

> In reasonable amounts, caffeine, a mild stimulant, can be safe or even beneficial. But in excess, it can increase blood pressure and heart rate and potentially contribute to serious heart problems.
## Liver Damage Myth
Extreme doses of niacin can be toxic to the liver, but one energy drink is unlikely to cause liver failure.

> While niacin, or vitamin B3, is an important nutrient that helps our bodies metabolize food, extreme doses of niacin can be toxic to your liver.
## Dietitian Insights
Dietitians say caffeine in reasonable amounts helps train harder, but excessive consumption can hinder muscle growth and heart health.

> If you don't have the proper amount of protein and rest and repair, you will not build a mass, says Wendi A. Irlbeck, MS, RDN, LD, CISSN, owner of Nutrition with Wendi.
## Safe Consumption Tips
Dietitians recommend consulting a professional for those with chronic kidney disease or gastrointestinal problems when consuming energy drinks.

> But if you have certain conditions such as chronic kidney disease or gastrointestinal problems, work with a dietitian to find the safest option for you.
## Heart Attack Cases
Doctors reported severe heart problems in men who consumed energy drinks excessively, including a 28-year-old who had a heart attack after drinking two to five cans per day.

> A 28-year-old had a heart attack after drinking two to five cans of energy drinks per day.
## What Happens Next
Energy drinks should be consumed in moderation to avoid health risks while still benefiting from their performance-enhancing properties.

> If you take in B vitamins, that's not necessarily going to give you an instant energy boost, says Kylee Van Horn, RD, CSSD, sports dietitian at Fly Nutrition.
## Key takeaway

Energy drinks can inhibit muscle growth by up to 90% in lab studies but are safe for most people when consumed in reasonable amounts.