‘A troubling halo of health’: how Celsius became Red Bull for women

‘There’s no mention of caffeine on the front of the can – and instead of “energy drink”, Celsius uses the gentler phrase “essential energy”.’ Illustration: Jimmy Turrell/The Guardian

On Dakota Johnson’s first day on set to film her directorial debut Loser Baby, she grabbed a can of Celsius and started drinking. She said she spent much of the rest of the shoot with a Celsius in her hand. She recalled feeling exhilarated, and though she also found it hard to sleep, surely that was just inspiration from the creative process flowing through her body.

Then her costume designer let her in on a secret: Celsius is an energy drink that contains 200mg of caffeine per can. That’s why she was staying awake all night.