Amidst the daily buzz of teenage life, a closer glance at the seemingly innocent companion, caffeine, reveals unnoticed dangers for the adolescent mind and body. 

Teenagers can easily access sources of caffeine. Whether it is at home or at a coffee shop, caffeine consumption has become a routine part of many teenagers’ daily lives. In high school hallways, it is a common sight to witness students rushing to their classes, a Celsius, Starbucks beverage or Panera Charged Lemonade in hand. However, the rare student holding a water bottle may be better suited in the high-pressure environments of high school. 

As high schoolers begin incorporating caffeine into their daily lives to power through demanding schedules, a concerning pattern emerges: the unconscious build-up of tolerance. Initially, the energizing effects of caffeine offer a “needed” boost, but with time the adolescent body becomes accustomed, requiring higher doses to achieve these same results. The escalating reliance on this stimulant not only contributes to increased consumption, but also feeds into many negative symptoms. High schoolers may grapple with unintended consequences on their physical and mental well-being such as disrupted sleep patterns, heightened anxiety and potential digestive issues.

With a Panera Bread in close proximity to Madison, many students find it a great place to study outside of school. However, there have been recent concerns with a specific Panera menu item: The Charged Lemonade.

According to the Food and Drug Association, most “healthy adults” can safely consume up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per day, equivalent to about four or five cups of regular coffee, depending on the brand and roast. The large, 30-ounce charged lemonade contains nearly that amount, with 390 mg of caffeine, while the regular, 20-ounce size contains a lower, yet still impactful 260 mg of caffeine. 

This October, a college student with a heart condition at the University of Pennsylvania died from drinking a Charged Lemonade. This prompted her parents to file a lawsuit claiming that the company “failed to properly warn” customers about potential risks of the item. They felt the Charged Lemonade was misleading, being marketed as a “clean” drink. A “clean” drink means that the beverage emphasizes natural and simple ingredients, and the high caffeine levels and additives in the Charged Lemonade counters this claim. Amanda Holpuch from the New York Times stated that the large size has more caffeine than a 12-ounce Red Bull and a 16-ounce Monster Energy Drink combined. This story has circulated its way through TikTok and other social media platforms, drawing massive attention to Panera Bread platform.

A second death from the consumption of the Charged Lemonade occurred earlier this month. It led to a second lawsuit against Panera that was filed on December 4. Dennis Brown, a 46 year-old from Flemming, Florida died from cardiac arrest en route home from his local Panera, where he drank three Charged Lemonades. Brown’s family claimed that he was unaware that the drink contained caffeine, demonstrated by his consistent consumption in the days leading up to his death. 

The Panera in Vienna has recently moved the Charged Lemonade dispensers behind the counter instead of putting them out for diners to fill their own cups just as they do for soda refills. According to a survey of 140 Madison, 36% don’t think Panera should be permitted to sell Charged Lemonade.

Mary Walrath-Holdridge, a writer for USA Today, shares a comment provided by Panera in which the company argues that, based on deep investigation, “His unfortunate passing was not caused by one of the company’s products.” 

Another well-known beverage among teens is Celsius. In her blog, “Balanced Nutritionist,” certified dietician Jamie N. expressed that this popular energy drink has a “stacked ingredient list” which claims many positive health benefits. She mentions the bold assertion the front of the can makes, claiming Celsius provides,“essential energy, accelerates metabolism, and burns body fat” which is a confident assertion to make. For most healthy individuals, the 100 to 300 mg range of caffeine is okay in moderation. For example, most Starbucks drinks contain around 310 mg of caffeine, a fact often overlooked. However, for caffeine sensitive people, especially those with heart conditions, it is probably best to abstain from drinking Celsius or other energy drinks because of the possible risks that come along with them. 

“When I used to drink Celsius before my track races, I thought that it would give me energy that would help me perform better, Maddie Folley (’25) said. “Instead, I developed so much anxiety and became so nervous that I performed worse than when I didn’t drink one.”

It is unrealistic to encourage teens to completely eliminate caffeine from their diets because it is widely available and a socially accepted stimulant. Additionally, teens often face academic pressures, extracurricular activities and irregular sleep patterns which makes moderate caffeine consumption seem like a practical choice to manage their energy levels. However, educating about safe consumption and the potential dangers of high caffeine intake could play an instrumental role changing the mentality of teens and in decreasing its usage. It is completely valid to crave vitality after a bad night of sleep, but creating sustainable, healthy solutions such as eating a balanced breakfast might give a natural boost and provide positive long-term effects. This concept will be more beneficial than getting stuck in a habitual cycle of reliance on energy drinks.