A family physician, Dr. Olufunmilayo Ogunsanya, has cautioned Nigerians about the dangers of excessive energy drink consumption, warning that it poses serious health risks and could be fatal.
Dr. Olufunmilayo Ogunsanya, popularly known as #OurFavOnlineDoc on X, said most energy drinks are packed with glucose and caffeine, which provide a temporary boost but may trigger severe medical complications.
“Generally, energy drinks are pumped with glucose and caffeine, among other things. The high glucose gives you energy, and the high caffeine is a stimulant that keeps you alert and energised,” he said in a post.
The physician noted that high caffeine intake can worsen stomach ulcers, cause abdominal pain, and overstimulate the heart. He listed possible side effects such as irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, chest pain, and even collapse.
“This could be far worse if you already have unknown heart problems,” he added.
Ogunsanya further warned against combining energy drinks with alcohol, describing the practice as especially dangerous. “Energy drinks are not ‘harmless fun’. When you take them with alcohol, you are on the fast highway to ending your life,” he said.
He advised Nigerians to avoid the products entirely or limit intake to no more than one can per day.
