Blue energy drink cans with title "Do Energy Drinks Cause Kidney Stones" over top of image

Do Energy Drinks Cause Kidney Stones?

Energy drinks are an enticing option in our sleep-deprived culture. They claim to give you quick energy in a tasty package. Are energy drinks all they are cracked up to be? Are energy drinks good for you? Specifically, do energy drinks cause kidney stones?

Read on to learn more about energy drinks, nutrition and kidney stones.

What Is In Energy Drinks?

The ingredients in energy drinks are very different brand to brand. But, most energy drinks have some common key ingredients.

Sugar

Unless you choose a sugar free option, energy drinks are packed with sugar. A lot of it.

The amount of sugar in energy drinks ranges quite a bit. The most popular energy drink brands have around 50 grams of sugar per can. That is 12 1/2 teaspoons of sugar and more sugar than a can of soda. One 12oz can of coke has 42 grams of sugar.

The amount of sugar in most energy drinks is more than you should have in an entire day. The American Heart Association recommends men limit added sugar to 36 grams per day. Women should limit added sugar to 25 grams per day. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather enjoy my sugar in the form of ice cream or cookies!

It makes sense that energy drinks are packed with sugar. Sugar is a quick source of energy. Compared to other energy sources, sugar is the most quickly absorbed, digested and delivered to cells for fuel.

But, this quick burst of energy comes with a downside. Blood sugar dives after a large sugar load. This plunge in blood sugar leaves you feeling tired and lethargic.

Drinking sugar sweetened beverages, like energy drinks, can also increase your risk of metabolic syndrome, stroke, coronary artery disease, and type 2 diabetes. (1)

Caffeine

Everyone’s favorite stimulant! Caffeine is the main ingredient in energy drinks that gives you quick energy.

The amount of caffeine in energy drinks varies a lot. Most have around 150mg of caffeine per serving. For context, here is the amount of caffeine in other common caffeinated beverages:

  • 8oz cup of coffee: 100mg of caffeine
  • 8oz black tea: 50mg
  • 12oz can caffeinated soda: 20mg

Unfortunately, energy from caffeine is also short lived. Energy levels often plummet after a large dose of caffeine, often leaving you feeling even more tired.

Serving SizeCaloriesCarbohydrate (g)Added Sugar (g)Sodium (mg)Caffeine (mg)B-Vitamins
Monster Energy Drink Original16oz can2305854370160260% B2, 250% B3, 240% B6, 500% B12
Red Bull8.4oz can110292610580100% B3, 50% B, 250% B6, 80% B12
Sugar Free Red Bull8.4oz can2030150114140% B3, 70% B5, 350% B6, 120% B12
Rockstar 16oz can250636370160100% B2, 100% B3, 100% B5, 100% B6, 100% B12
NOS High Energy16oz can2105451410160200% B6, 200% B12
5 Hour Energy2oz shot40018215150% B3, 2000% B6, 100% B9

B-Vitamins

Most energy drinks are packed with very high doses of a variety of B-vitamins. B-vitamins are a group of 8 different vitamins:

  • Thiamine (vitamin B1)
  • Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
  • Niacin (vitamin B3)
  • Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
  • Vitamin B6
  • Biotin (vitamin B7)
  • Folate (vitamin B9)
  • Cobalamin (vitamin B12)

B-vitamins are well known for their role in energy production. A molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the main source of energy in our bodies. ATP is made from the metabolism of carbohydrate, protein, and fat in a process called the Krebs Cycle. B-vitamins are critical for the Krebs cycle to work properly and to make energy!

So, getting a whole bunch of B-vitamins from energy drinks must give us energy, right? Not so fast.

Large doses of B-vitamins aren’t going to help our body make ATP (or, energy) unless we don’t have enough B-vitamins in the first place. In most places in the world, B-vitamin deficiencies are very rare. Deficiencies can happen in people who cannot absorb nutrients from food properly. Vitamin B12 deficiency is also more common in older adults. (2) However, most people are getting more than enough B-vitamins from food.

When you consume excess B-vitamins, they are simply excreted in your urine. Your body has no use or way to store them. Taking B-vitamins from energy drinks or other supplements just results in very expensive urine!

Sodium

Many energy drinks are also surprisingly high in sodium. Energy drinks have up to 400mg of sodium per can. This is 15-25% of the amount of sodium people should have in an entire day!

Sugar Free Energy Drinks

Sugar free energy drinks have similar ingredients to the regular versions except for, well, the sugar!

In place of sugar, sugar-free energy drinks contain artificial sweeteners such as sucralose, acesulfame K or aspartame.

Image of energy drink can with ingredients next to it. Text describing how each key ingredient in energy drinks can cause kidney stones. Sugar can cause kidney stones by increasing calcium levels. Sodium in energy drinks could cause kidney stones by further increasing urine calcium levels. Caffeine in energy drinks doesn't cause kidney stones, but in excess, could be harmful to your health. Large doses of B-vitamins in energy drinks do not cause kidney stones, but are usually just excreted in your urine, and do not give you more energy.

Do Energy Drinks Cause Kidney Stones?

No studies have investigated if energy drinks cause kidney stones. However, we know that sugary drinks such as regular soda, punch, sweet tea, lemonade, and most fruit juices do cause kidney stones. (3) (4)

So, because energy drinks contain so much sugar, it is a safe assumption that energy drinks can cause kidney stones.

How Do Energy Drinks Cause Kidney Stones?

Sugar

The main reason energy drinks can cause kidney stones is the sugar content. The link between sugary drinks and kidney stones is well established. (3) (4)

The link between sugary drinks and kidney stones seems to be related to higher urine calcium. (5) Sugar, especially fructose, is known to increase urine calcium. (6) High urine calcium is one of the most common causes of kidney stones. (7)

Sodium

Sodium is another possible reason why energy drinks could cause kidney stones. Eating too much sodium can also increase urine calcium. A key part of the prevention of calcium kidney stones is a low sodium diet.

Most people are eating way more sodium than they need. Adding the sodium in energy drinks on top of this may only make the problem worse. This could further increase kidney stone risk in people who are susceptible to kidney stones.

Other Health Concerns with Energy Drinks

In addition to increased kidney stones, energy drinks have other health impacts.

Most notably, energy drinks have been linked to high blood pressure and changes in heart function. (8) Although caffeine is generally recognized as safe by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), caffeine in large doses can exacerbate insomnia, nervousness, headache, fast heartrate, and seizures. (9) (10) Highly concentrated sources of caffeine, like energy drinks, make it easier to drink dangerous amounts of caffeine.

In 2011, more than 20,000 emergency room visits in the United States were attributed to energy drinks. (10) Although more research is needed, energy drinks have been implicated in some cases of death, especially in adolescents. (11) (12) (13)

Healthy Ways To Get More Energy

Unfortunately, there is no magic pill or food that will give you more energy. Instead, it is more important to focus on a general healthy dietary pattern and healthy lifestyle. Here are some tips to change your lifestyle for more energy – that will not cause kidney stones!

Eat a Balanced Diet

Other than focusing on “super foods” that claim to boost energy, it is much more effective to simply eat a healthy, well balanced diet. Boring advice, I know, but true!

Eating mostly fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and legumes will give you energy! Pay special attention to limit added sugar and excess fat.

Get Enough Sleep

I know. Easier said than done. But perhaps the best way to have more energy is to get enough sleep. Most people need about 8 hours of sleep each night.

If 8 hours seems impossible for your schedule, even an extra 30 minutes of sleep can leave you feeling better rested. Practicing good sleep hygiene can make the hours you do have in bed more restful.

Stress Reduction

Stress impacts nearly every aspect of health, and can be a pretty significant energy suck. The more stress you have, the harder it is to feel energetic and your best self!

Prioritize your mental and physical health. Try to be preventative about stress management as much as you can.

As extra motivation to reduce stress, stress is also connected with kidney stones!

Physical Activity

Lastly, regular physical activity can also help energy levels. Physical activity helps you sleep better, and can help you feel more energetic.

Happy Eating!

Melanie

13 thoughts on “Do Energy Drinks Cause Kidney Stones?”

  1. Does adding “juiced” fruits to my 3 liters of water a day (1/3- watermelon,strawberry,cherry,lemon) to 2/3 water add too much sugar?

  2. Is one or two cans a day too much?
    I used to drink a LOT of coffee but had to cut back. Now I’m tired in the morning and late afternoon so I drink a Red Bull in the morning and one in the late afternoon.

  3. is it the oxalates that are in caffeine (which is also in energy drinks, coffee, soda, etc) that prevents the “stones” from breaking down?

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      Caffeine actually doesn’t have oxalate in it. It is more the sugar in energy drinks and soda that is the problem. Coffee (assuming it doesn’t have a ton of added sugar) is actually associated with reduced stones. This article about beverages for kidney stones might be helpful!

  4. Thank you for the article. As an alternative to energy drinks, what is your opinion on taking a supplement that is pure L-Carnitine (no other ingredients) to help increase energy?

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      You are so welcome! I can’t recommend that supplement for energy as there isn’t good research to suggest it would help.

  5. But, all that water gets me up at 2am, and then it’s hard to get back to sleep. I practice the same sleep hygiene then, that I do at 10pm. I stop drinking water at 7ish. Half the time I go right back to sleep. The other half, maybe 2-3 hours later. I also take 10mg Melatonin. And lavendar, and chamomile at 10.

  6. Hi Melanie, any research in crystal light lemonade being good for kidney stones as it’s high in citrate just like lemons?

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      Hi Jason! Great question. We do recommend Crystal Light for people with low urine citrate from time to time – especially people who don’t tolerate potassium citrate supplements!

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