Larissa Nicole Rodriguez holds a can of the energy drink Alani Nu. Bing Videos
Can energy drinks cause an ‘enlarged heart’?
Teen dies after drinking too many, lawsuit claims
Scott Stump
The family of a 17-year-old cheerleader and tennis player who died from cardiomyopathy has filed a lawsuit against a distributor of the popular energy drink Alani Nu, alleging the girl’s heart condition was caused by the large amount of caffeine in the beverage.
The attorney for the family of Larissa Nicole Rodriguez, a teen from Weslaco, Texas, filed a wrongful death suit in Hidalgo County on April 8 against Glazer’s Beer and Beverage and Glazer’s Beer and Beverage of Texas, which the lawsuit states is a distributor of Alani Nu to retail locations in Hidalgo County.
“Following her consumption of Alani Nu Energy Drinks, Larissa Rodriguez suffered a fatal cardiac event. The Hidalgo County Medical Examiner determined that Larissa Rodriguez’s cause of death was cardiomyopathy caused by excessive caffeine consumption,” the filing read.
The suit, filed in Hidalgo County District Court, names Glazer’s Beer and Beverage, LLC, and Glazer’s Beer and Beverage of Texas, LLC, which it said distributed the drink.
According to the lawsuit, Alani Nu Energy Drinks contain 200 milligrams of caffeine per 12‑ounce can—about 16.67 milligrams per ounce—an amount that exceeds the caffeine concentration of most soft drinks and many competing energy drinks on a per-ounce basis.
The filing notes that this is double the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommended daily caffeine limit for children ages 12 to 17, yet the product labels include no warning about excessive caffeine intake or risks to minors.
The lawsuit also alleges that the drinks contain an undisclosed amount of taurine, which it says can intensify caffeine’s stimulant effects and has been linked to neurological and cardiovascular concerns.
Despite FDA guidance that caffeine poses heightened risks to children and that healthy adults should limit intake to 400 milligrams per day, the complaint says Alani Nu provides no maximum daily consumption guidance and no prominent warning that the product may be dangerous for children or when multiple cans are consumed.
The can carries a brief caution against use by children, people sensitive to caffeine, and certain women, but the lawsuit calls the small-print warning “inconspicuous” and “inadequate.”
The lawyer said the late teen started drinking the energy drink because of its social media marketing, which touted it as having wellness and health benefits, as well as an energy boost.
The lawyer said the 17-year-old got into drinking the energy drink because of social media -Credit:Salinas Funeral Home
“First, she got into it because of social media and other social interaction with young people. At some point, she was enamored by it,” he said.
Last year, the late teen started to drink at least one Alani Nu a day, sometimes more, the lawyer said.
Energy drink contributed to 17-year-old cheerleader’s death, says US lawsuit
The family did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment.
Benny Agosto Jr., the attorney for the Rodriguez family, claimed at a news conference on April 9 that Alani Nu is “defectively designed, marketed and had inadequate warnings about the serious cardiac risks that this product brings.” He also castigated the makers for marketing to young women by using social media influencers and advertisements.
The family is asking for damages of at least $1 million, according to the lawsuit, reviewed by TODAY.
Celsius Inc., which owns Alani Nu, said in a statement to NBC News that it is “saddened by this loss, and our thoughts are with the family. We take product safety seriously and believe consumers should have clear information about what they are drinking.”
“Alani Nu energy drinks disclose 200mg of caffeine on the can, and the label states the product is not recommended for children, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant women, or women who are nursing,” the statement said. “Our products comply with applicable federal labeling requirements, and our policy is not to market or sample to anyone under 18, consistent with those label warnings.”
Glazer’s Beer and Beverage did not immediately respond to TODAY’s or NBC News’ request for comment on the lawsuit. “The distributors are the ones who put it into the market here. They are aware of these things,” Agosto said about why the family filed the lawsuit against Glazer’s.
He added that it’s possible more defendants could be added to the lawsuit.
Agosto said the Hidalgo County medical examiner determined Rodriguez’s cause of death in October 2025 was “an enlarged heart due to stress and large amounts of caffeine.” He said that in the past year she drank at least one Alani Nu per day.
The Hidalgo County medical examiner’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment by NBC News.
“It’s not that she drank five one day and just died, it wasn’t like that,” Agosto said. “As you can see, she was a popular person, enjoyed the taste of it, enjoyed drinking it, it’s part of the social aspect of being a teenager, but nobody’s warning that that’s a danger.”
He said Rodriguez never had heart problems growing up or any other health issues. “The medical examiner did a hundred different tests, all negative, and the only finding was caffeine,” Agosto said. “And the heart swollen.”
The lawsuit stated that “Rodriguez’s cause of death was cardiomyopathy caused by excessive caffeine consumption.”
The attorney also showed an image of an invitation extended to Rodriguez to go to homecoming featuring pictures of cans of Alani Nu with the statement, “Hope you have the energy to go to hoco with me.” Agosto also displayed another photo of her in her cheerleading uniform holding a can of the beverage.
Rodriguez was an honors student who had been accepted into almost 20 universities before her life was “cut short,” according to Agosto.
“We have an active, beautiful, cheerful, sports-loving, tennis player/cheerleeader, full of life, full of love, smart, academic and with a bright future,” he said.
Energy Drinks and Cardiomyopathy
According to the lawsuit, Rodriguez died from “cardiomyopathy caused by excessive caffeine consumption.” Cardiomyopathy occurs when the heart has trouble pumping blood, which can lead to an enlarged heart, according to Mayo Clinic.
Caffeine “can increase heart rate, and chronically increased heart rates that are pretty fast can cause an enlarged heart (and) reduced heart function,” Dr. Nieca Goldberg, a cardiologist at NYU Langone Health, tells TODAY.com. Goldberg did not treat Rodriguez and has not seen the medical examiner report.
People with or without existing heart problems or family history can experience cardiomyopathy due to consuming high amounts of caffeine, Goldberg says. Energy drinks also often contain other substances that can exacerbate the effects of caffeine, she adds.
While Goldberg says she would discourage both adults and children from consuming energy drinks, she says it’s especially risky for children, who tend to have smaller bodies and faster metabolisms, which can lead to more dangerous health effects.
Anecdotally, Goldberg says she’s been seeing more young patients with energy drink habits. “I am concerned about it,” she explains. “We know that they’re not safe for all people, and we’ve known this for a really long time already.”
Typically, she says she encourages drinking water for hydration and refers patients struggling with energy levels to a sleep specialist.
“People who are drinking energy drinks (need) to understand that there are some situations where they can be harmful,” she adds.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, adults should avoid drinking more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day (about two to three cups of coffee’s worth).
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against children and teens drinking anything with sugar and caffeine, and the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend “significantly limiting sugary drinks and energy drinks” in teens and adolescents.
Family says energy drink played role in teen’s fatal heart condition – NBC New York
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Energy Drinks Every Day
Energy drinks temporarily boost alertness and energy but can stress your heart, spike blood sugar, and affect brain and metabolic function.
Short-Term Effects
Energy drinks deliver high doses of caffeine (typically 150–300 mg per 16-ounce can) along with sugar, B vitamins, taurine, and other additives. Caffeine blocks adenosine in the brain, preventing the normal fatigue signal and increasing the release of stimulating neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, which enhances alertness, attention, and mood. Within 30–60 minutes, most people experience increased heart rate and blood pressure, with systolic pressure rising about 4 mm Hg and diastolic about 6 mm Hg. Sugary energy drinks can also cause rapid spikes in blood glucose, prompting insulin release and sometimes leading to a subsequent energy crash.
Cardiovascular Impacts
Energy drinks can affect the electrical timing of the heart, including prolongation of the QTc interval, which may increase the risk of abnormal heart rhythms. Daily or excessive consumption can place chronic stress on the cardiovascular system, potentially exacerbating underlying heart conditions. Even in healthy individuals, repeated spikes in heart rate and blood pressure may have cumulative effects over time.
What Do Energy Drinks Do to Your Body? – ScienceInsights
Metabolic and Brain Effects
The combination of caffeine and sugar can temporarily improve reaction time and focus, but overuse may lead to sleep disruption, jitteriness, and dependence. High sugar content contributes to weight gain and insulin resistance if consumed regularly. Some energy drinks also contain herbal extracts like ginseng or guarana, which can amplify caffeine effects and interact unpredictably with other stimulants.
Other Systemic Effects
Regular consumption may impact digestion, hydration, and even bone health due to high caffeine and sugar intake. Caffeine is a diuretic, which can contribute to dehydration, especially if combined with exercise or alcohol. Over time, excessive intake may also affect mood, anxiety levels, and overall energy regulation. Daily Energy Drink Consumption: What Happens to Your Entire Body? | BeHealfit
Safety Considerations
Energy drinks are not recommended for children, adolescents, pregnant individuals, or people with heart conditions. Even sugar-free versions can pose risks due to high caffeine content. Safer alternatives include moderate coffee or tea consumption, balanced nutrition, exercise, and adequate sleep to naturally boost energy levels.
Are energy drinks bad for you? – Harvard Health
This clinical trial evaluates how energy drink consumption alters the microorganisms (microbiome) found in the colon in health individuals. Most patients who develop colorectal cancer are diagnosed after the age of 50. However, rates of colorectal cancer have been slowly increasing in people younger than 50.
The reason for increasing rates of colorectal cancer among younger individuals is unclear, but one possible cause is changes to the microbiome of the colon. Patients with colorectal cancer have been shown to have high amounts of bacteria that produce a chemical called hydrogen sulfide, which may contribute to the development of colorectal cancer. Energy Drinks And Colorectal Cancer | Critical Health Insights
Some energy drinks contain an ingredient called taurine, which is an amino acid that can be used as an energy source by bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide. The consumption of taurine via energy drinks may increase the number of hydrogen sulfide-producing bacteria in the colon, which may represent a risk factor for colorectal cancer. Energy Drinks Seen Fueling Cancer, But There’s a Strange Catch : ScienceAlert
In summary, while energy drinks can provide a temporary boost in alertness and performance, they can also stress the heart, spike blood sugar, disrupt sleep, and affect overall metabolic health, especially with frequent or high-dose consumption.