DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My husband has swapped out his regular morning coffee for an energy drink. Are these healthy options for getting his daily dose of caffeine? Do energy drinks have more caffeine than regular coffee? And how much caffeine is too much?
ANSWER: People love their caffeine, whether it's coffee, tea, soda or energy drinks like your husband. It's the most common stimulant in the world, and about 90% of all adults consume caffeine in some form every day. Many different caffeine options and flavors are readily available at coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores and convenience stores. Energy drinks, in particular, are packaged in bright cans and have exciting names.
Caffeine is big business as well. The total global sale of energy drink alone reached $57 billion in 2020. Energy drinks are the second-most popular dietary supplement among U.S. teens and young adults behind multivitamins.
