𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

…𝒌𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒔

By Yeshi Dolma

As energy drinks continue to dominate shelves and fuel lifestyles worldwide, a growing body of international research, real-life case studies, and national policy responses are highlighting the alarming health risks associated with these beverages, particularly concerning kidney health.

From policy interventions in Europe and Central Asia to deeply personal stories in Bhutan, evidence is mounting that energy drinks, often marketed as quick fixes for fatigue and low energy, may be silently contributing to chronic illnesses, including kidney disease. Several countries have begun to regulate the sale and marketing of energy drinks in response to concerns over their long-term health impacts.

Kazakhstan implemented a policy in January 2025, banning the sale of energy drinks to individuals under 21. This regulation aims to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) among youth and address rising rates of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and kidney complications linked to high sugar and caffeine intake.
Poland has also taken action, banning the sale of energy drinks containing caffeine or taurine to individuals under 18, effective from January 1, 2024. This move seeks to mitigate the negative effects of high sugar and stimulant content, including kidney strain in adolescents.

In July 2023, Kyrgyzstan adopted a different approach by banning energy drink advertisements altogether. Health authorities cited concerns over elevated blood sugar and blood pressure, particularly among minors, as the primary justification for the ban.

Denmark enforces a caffeine limit of 320 mg per liter for energy drinks and discourages their consumption by children, while Germany has set a lower caffeine threshold of 150 mg per liter and is considering a complete ban on energy drink sales to minors. These European regulations reflect growing concern that high caffeine and sugar content may harm young consumers’ long-term health, particularly kidney function.

Academic institutions have echoed these warnings. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has published multiple articles detailing the health risks of energy drinks.

In March 2018, Harvard researchers released an article titled “Energy Drinks: Health Downsides Not Worth the Extra Pep,” which highlighted the dangers of excessive caffeine, sugar, taurine, and guarana in these drinks. The study found that these ingredients can lead to increased blood pressure, dehydration, and metabolic imbalances- conditions that accelerate kidney function decline. The article also pointed out the lack of comprehensive regulation in the energy drink industry, leaving many health risks unaddressed.

In a more recent article published on April 24, 2023, Harvard experts warned that even “natural” or “clean” energy drinks, often marketed as healthier alternatives- are not free from risks. These beverages still contain high levels of caffeine and other stimulants that can negatively affect the heart and kidneys, posing long-term health risks when consumed regularly.

A study conducted among Indonesian construction workers and published in the International Journal of Health Sciences found that regular energy drink consumers had an average estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 83.76 mL/min/1.73 m², below the normal benchmark of 90 mL/min/1.73 m². This is an early indicator of kidney damage. Key risk factors included low health literacy, pre-existing health conditions, and frequent consumption (six or more servings per week). Workers who started drinking energy drinks at a young age or had a family history of chronic illnesses were at greater risk.

Two documented case studies in the U.S. further illustrate the potential dangers of excessive energy drink consumption. A 62-year-old woman developed acute kidney injury and liver dysfunction after consuming five to six cans of sugar-free energy drinks daily. Her glomerular filtration rate (GFR) plummeted to 11 mL/min, indicating near-total kidney failure. After discontinuing the drinks and receiving treatment, her kidney function gradually improved.
In another case, a 40-year-old man consumed 100–120 ounces of Red Bull daily for 2–3 weeks. His serum creatinine levels spiked from 0.9 mg/dL to 5.5 mg/dL, indicating acute renal failure. After stopping Red Bull consumption, his kidney function returned to normal within two days and remained stable during a 10-month follow-up.

In Bhutan, personal stories are now emerging that reflect the global trend. Kidney disease is increasingly being linked to lifestyle choices, with energy drinks often appearing in many patients’ histories.

Tashi Namgay, Founder and Executive Director of the Bhutan Kidney Foundation, shared a heartfelt message: “The trend of consuming energy drinks, especially among partygoers, athletes, and others, has become quite widespread, largely due to the belief that these drinks boost energy. However, many tend to overlook the potential side effects. I sincerely urge those who regularly consume energy drinks to do so in moderation, as excessive intake can lead to chronic health issues. These problems can affect both mental and physical health, ultimately impacting overall well-being. No one should have to experience the pain of kidney disease, as I did in my younger years.”

Several Bhutanese individuals are now sharing their personal experiences of how energy drinks contributed to their declining health:

Jigme Singye, who moved to Kuwait in 2019, said, “Before I moved to Kuwait, I had never tried energy drinks. But once I arrived, I began consuming them occasionally to stay awake and energized. After two years, I was diagnosed with kidney problems, and the doctor said it was linked to hypertension. My entire lifestyle has changed since the diagnosis. I advise people to limit their intake of such products, as we are seeing an increasing number of kidney-related illnesses in Bhutan.”

Grechungla, a farmer, shared, “I used to drink two large bottles of Coke a day and up to four Power energy drinks daily. It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with kidney failure that I learned energy drinks should be consumed in moderation- ideally, no more than one a day. I believe my kidney problems were largely due to high blood pressure, which was worsened by my drink consumption.”

Peldong Wangchuk, another kidney patient said, “I used to drink energy drinks occasionally, but it wasn’t until I went to India for my studies that I was diagnosed with kidney failure. My doctors initially suspected it was related to excessive cheese consumption, but it was later confirmed to be linked to high blood pressure.”

Singye, an ex-civil servant, reflected, “I started drinking energy drinks during a remote transfer. The long journey required me to stay alert, but I never thought these drinks could contribute to kidney failure. We need to raise awareness about the risks.”

Sonam Lekzang, a high school graduate, and Kinley Sonam, a college student, also shared their experiences of regular energy drink consumption and the emerging health issues they faced, including chest pain and skin changes.
Dr. Minjur Dorji, a nephrologist at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, emphasized, “Energy drinks usually contain high sugar and additives that can lead to metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, and kidney disease. These additives can have a direct toxic effect on the kidneys, potentially leading to kidney failure.”

The rise in kidney-related illnesses linked to energy drinks highlights the urgent need for awareness campaigns and policy interventions. Experts agree that while energy drinks may provide a temporary energy boost, their long-term health costs- particularly to kidney health- are too high to ignore.

As Bhutan develops and gains greater access to global food and beverage markets, public health advocates emphasize the importance of health literacy, moderation, and healthier alternatives such as water. The voices of those affected, combined with international research and global policy responses, make one message clear: the kidneys cannot afford the energy drink trend.