Are Celsius Drinks Bad For You? Experts Weigh In on TikTokers' Concerns

You are what you . . . drink? In some ways, energy drinks seem too good to be true, with alleged benefits like increased metabolism and boosted productivity. Recently, however, certain energy drink brands have experienced a fall from grace. Celsius energy drinks in particular have faced a difficult uphill battle, battling allegations brought forth by folks on social media. While we know not to trust everything we see online, some TikTokers allege that Celsius energy drinks can lead to heart issues, and cause spikes in blood pressure. But is there any truth to these claims?

We already know that caffeine overload can lead to heart palpitations, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and insomnia, says emergency medicine specialist Joe Whittington, MD (a TikTok creator in his own right). "While these effects can cause just mild symptoms in some, in certain populations such as individuals with heart arrhythmias, high blood pressure, heart disease, or sleep disorders, the effects can be outright dangerous," he says.

Beyond all the troubling videos shared on social media, Celsius was also sued in November 2022 for stating its drinks contain "no preservatives," even though the ingredients include citric acid (a common preservative). The company claimed the citric acid was only used for flavoring, but still decided to settle the lawsuit. This, in combination with the TikTok claims, might explain the enduring distrust in Celsius. But are Celsius drinks really that bad for you? Or is the brand being unfairly targeted?

Before you cross Celsius drinks off your grocery list, we asked experts to share their thoughts on the energy drinks, including whether or not they're bad for you. Ahead, we broke down everything from the ingredients to the potential side effects — read on to find out more.

Experts Featured in This Article:

Joe Whittington, MD, is an emergency medicine specialist.

Kathleen Meehan, MS, RD, is an anti-diet dietitian and certified intuitive eating counselor.

Celsius Drink Ingredients

To start us off, here's a list of ingredients you'll find in a standard Celsius:

The beverage is also labeled as vegan-certified, kosher, gluten-free, and soy-free. While the ingredients alone don't raise any major red flags, Dr. Whittington says the true safety of these ingredients depends on their dosage and individual tolerance. "When combined in an energy drink, the overall effect on a person can be different from consuming each ingredient individually," Dr. Whittington says. The presence of multiple stimulating ingredients like caffeine, guarana seed extract, and green tea extract can amplify the potential for adverse effects like anxiety, increased heart rate, and nervousness, he explains.

Another thing to consider for any energy drink: "The FDA's oversight into energy drinks primarily focuses on ensuring accurate labeling," Dr. Whittingon says. The agency does not conduct extensive pre-market testing or approval for dietary supplements or energy drinks, meaning it's the primary responsibility of manufacturers to ensure the safety of their products and to comply with all relevant regulations.

Celsius Side Effects

There's a lot of fear-mongering when it comes to Celsius drinks. Here's what to know about the actual side effects, according to experts.

Caffeine Content

One of the biggest concerns about Celsius drinks has to do with the caffeine content. The Celsius website says that, "Celsius is not recommended for people sensitive to caffeine, children under the age of 18, or women who are pregnant or nursing." But does that mean the amount of caffeine in Celsius drinks is dangerous?

Generally speaking, your daily caffeine intake should stay within 400mg, says Kathleen Meehan MS, RD, a certified intuitive eating counselor. "According to the Celsius label, the beverage appears to fall within this range," Meehan says. To this point, the standard Celsius drink contains 200mg of caffeine, according to the brand's website, while other iterations of the drink (like Celsius Heat) bump the caffeine content up to 300mg. For those with caffeine sensitivity, that amount can still feel like too much, especially all at once, but limitations vary from person to person.

"Some individuals are highly sensitive to caffeine and can experience adverse effects even with small amounts of less than 100mg," Dr. Whittington says. "It's essential for individuals who know or suspect they are sensitive to caffeine to pay close attention to their body's response when consuming products containing caffeine." If you know you're sensitive to caffeine, he recommends reducing caffeine intake or eliminating it altogether, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Signs of caffeine overload may include:

Caffeine Dependency

Dr. Whittington also invites those who regularly drink Celsius to consider the consequences of relying on caffeine. "Drinks with such high caffeine content can lead to dependency and addiction, causing individuals to consume more energy drinks to maintain the same level of alertness," he says. This is especially true for younger people who may not understand the risks.

Meehan adds that people often opt for drinks like Celsius when they want to feel more energized, which may actually be related to nutrition or a larger medical issue. "Energy levels are often impacted by restricting calories or eating low-carb, so I am always interested in a person's pattern of eating," Meehan tells PS. "I'm especially wary if someone relies on Celsius drinks to replace meals or provide energy when they really need more food." Running low on energy may signal the need for a high-protein snack, rather than an energy drink.

Is Celsius Bad For You?

Not inherently. Energy drinks in general increase your risk of caffeine overload and caffeine dependency. But is Celsius so unlike all the other trendy energy drink brands gracing your FYP? Those who want to enjoy the drink should "stay aware of the potential risks and make informed decisions about their beverage choices to safeguard their health and well-being," Dr. Whittington says. This is particularly important in the case of caffeine, which is at the heart of most of the concerns. "Moderate caffeine consumption is generally considered safe, and may be beneficial for most healthy adults, but high caffeine intake can be problematic for some individuals," Dr. Whittington reiterates.

Most notably, Celsius drinks won't have many favorable side effects for individuals with underlying heart conditions, sleep disorders, and anxiety or panic disorders, he says. But in general, the key is to be aware of your own tolerance and personal health factors. And if all else fails — if you find you're having a negative reaction to the beverage, stop drinking it.

— Additional reporting by Chandler Plante

Amara Amaryah is a travel and wellness essayist and writer. Her words have been published in PS, Well+Good, Condé Nast Traveler, Time Out, Travel Noire, AMAKA studio, Here Magazine, and more.

Chandler Plante (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.