By Grateful Ogunjebe
The pop of a can. The rush of sweetness. The instant surge of focus. For millions of Nigerians, from students cramming for exams to drivers powering through long shifts, energy drinks have become the unofficial fuel of modern life.
But behind that familiar buzz lies a growing concern. Health experts warn that what feels like “borrowed energy” often comes with a heavy repayment in the form of fatigue, anxiety, heart strain, and long-term organ damage.
When sports coach Esther Olanrewaju first tried an energy drink, she was amazed at how alert it made her feel. “I took one during exams so I could read all night,” she said. “It worked. I didn’t feel sleepy at all.”
Yet what came next caught her off guard. Hours later, her body wanted rest, but her mind wouldn’t switch off. “I was turning on the bed, wide awake till morning,” she recalled. “That was when I realised it wasn’t just energy. It was something stronger.
Doctors say the marketing appeal of energy drinks often hides their darker side.
- Dr Baseera Mbawaya, a medical officer, explained that with every can, people flood their system with sugar and caffeine, which can lead to addiction, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even kidney failure.
- Dr Nimah Rabiu described them as “a silent trigger for bigger diseases”, noting that one can can contain the sugar equivalent of four full meals, causing dangerous spikes in blood sugar and blood pressure.
A human hand holds an energy drink can, in the background with radial manga speed lines.
For therapist Stephen Favour, the energy rush turned out to be deceptive. “They give what I call fake energy,” he said. “You feel strong for a while, but then comes the crash, tiredness, anxiety, brain fog. Sometimes my heart races for no reason. It’s not worth it.”
He says what makes them dangerous isn’t just the caffeine. It’s the dependency. “One can has up to 16 cubes of sugar, and some people take three daily. That’s not a drink anymore; that’s a lifestyle risk.”
Stephen now warns his clients about relying on stimulants to mask exhaustion. “When your body says rest, rest. Don’t replace sleep with a can,” he said.
Mariam Sulaimon, a public health major at Kwara State University, KWASU, noted that energy drinks have become part of youth culture, especially among students who stay up late reading or attending social events. She cautioned that most young people are unaware of the high levels of caffeine, sugar, and artificial additives in these drinks, which can lead to sleep disorders, dehydration, rapid heartbeat, and mental health challenges such as anxiety and mood swings.
Abdulrahman Yusuf, another public health major from KWASU, expressed concern that many youths do not know the safe limits for energy drink consumption. He warned against using them as quick fixes for tiredness or mixing them with alcohol; a combination he described as dangerous and deceptive.
Yusuf called for stronger health education on campuses, urging students to maintain energy naturally through balanced diets, hydration, and adequate rest rather than depending on artificial boosters.
Lagos resident Jesutofunmi David said, “Energy drinks give a quick boost when I need to stay alert or focused, especially during long days or late nights. But the crash that follows reminds me they’re only a temporary fix.”
A student of Anchor University, Lagos, Samuel Seyi, stated that he feels strong after taking an energy drink but experiences tiredness and dizziness afterward.
Recent studies show that energy drink consumption is widespread among Nigerian youths, particularly students and athletes:
A 2024 survey of 359 young people aged 10–29 found that 59.6% had consumed energy drinks, with 43.5% doing so during study sessions and 35% using them daily.
A study of undergraduates in Kano reported a lifetime prevalence of 67% and a 30-day current-use rate of 23.9%.
Research among medical students in southeastern Nigeria revealed that 81.5% had consumed energy drinks, mainly for alertness, refreshment, and stress relief.
Among football club members in Lagos, 76.3% were energy-drink users, with 37.1% admitting to mixing them with alcohol.
“The body always pays for borrowed strength,” said Dr Baseera. “You may not feel it today, but over time, the price becomes clear.”
Different nutritionists, over time, have recommended simple alternatives: fruits, water with lime, green tea, and proper rest.
Dr Nimah emphasised that real energy comes from nourishment and balance, not chemicals in a can.
Experts are calling for stricter regulation of marketing and clearer product labels to protect consumers.
Public awareness could help people make informed choices before a generation becomes addicted to the rush.
In the end, the message is simple: real strength doesn’t come from a can but from care, rest, and respect for the body’s natural rhythm.
