The Most Dangerous Energy Drinks Ever Made

At just 2 ounces, this energy "shot" contains 200 mg of caffeine per bottle — nearly twice as much as some 16-ounce energy drinks. (For context, an 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains roughly 100 mg). Drinking this much caffeine quickly can raise your heart rate massively, and is probably why the company lists a serving size as half a bottle. But let's be honest, when faced with a bag of chips or a bottle of soda, who is really consuming a single serving? The even more powerful 5-Hour Energy Extra Strength contains 230 mg of caffeine. 

5-Hour Energy also has 20,833% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin B12, 2,353% of B6, and 188% of niacin, another B vitamin, per serving. B vitamins are often included in energy drinks for their effect on brain function and energy levels. However, high levels of B vitamins can cause adverse effects like gastrointestinal stress, insomnia, high blood pressure, and even skin rashes.

Based on this information, it is perhaps not surprising that 5-Hour Energy came under fire from the FDA in 2013, after 33 hospitalizations and 13 deaths were tenuously linked to the energy "shot." CBS reports that the causes of the hospitalizations included heart attacks, convulsions, and even one case of spontaneous abortion. It seems nothing came of this investigation, so presumably the link wasn't very strong.

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