Energy drinks debate

Lately I spotted an interesting behaviour pattern: every time I make a small talk with some Russian gym acquaintance who’s 30+ yo, they always (literally 100% of the times) mention how energy drinks are detrimental and how I should consider quitting them immediately. Every time I elaborate, they fall into defense mode and fail to present a single sound argument to prove their point.

Here’s what the official FDA¹ says:

A typical energy drink meets daily consumption limit for adults

There’re no proven long-term side effects

There is wide variation in both how sensitive people are to the effects of caffeine and how fast they eliminate it from the body

Caffeine, like any substance added to food, must be safe under the conditions it’s expected to be used, including the amount expected to be consumed

Clearly caffeine must not affect me the same way as it does for an average person, because I don’t feel any change AT ALL - neither right after consumption, nor later during the day. I’m not a teen anymore, but the same applied to me before, when I was 15+.

Too much caffeine in children and teens can cause increased heart rate, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, anxiety, and lead to sleep problems, digestive problems and dehydration.

Does it mean that if none of these effects are seen by a teen, he is safe to use the product? Does it mean that age restriction in many countries is a forced coercive measure for a “victimless crime” that makes some citizens less happy and contented? Seems probable. I let people decide for themselves, but have to live with the fact someone have already decided for me.

My experience

I consume energy drinks without occasion (two or three times a week on average, not more than once a day), but I feel neither the benefits nor the side effects. For me energy drink is not better, not worse than a typical cola. Is it healthy? Not really. Is it detrimental/fatal? No, it’s not. At least at my consumption volumes.

Once I tried drinking them at every gym session 5 times/week for 2 month straight. Nothing happened, not a single side effect mentioned above. I’m still me, my heart rate is around 80bpm, I sleep okay and anxiety is on all-time-low.

The best haters can say is “time will tell” - which is an emotional claim not backed by anything. Sorry, but it doesn’t yet resonate, try harder.