How Can We Make Energy Drinks Safer?
March is Caffeine Awareness Month, meaning it’s the perfect time to talk about energy drinks and safety. In this live chat with the Food Safety Foundation, Caffeine Scientist GreenEyedGuide shares 3 ways to make energy drinks safer. This live chat is full of tips every caffeine drinker needs to know.
Ready? Let’s go!

New to this blog? Hi there! I'm Caffeine Scientist, Author, and Speaker GreenEyedGuide.
I earned my degrees in food science and biochemistry. I use my science background to help people like me – people who depend on caffeine to get them through the day. I’ve juggled multiple jobs while going to school full-time. I’ve worked the night shift in a bar. And I’ve endured the sleep-deprivation that comes with being a new parent.
Whether it’s your work, your kids, or your midterms stealing your sleep, I can help.
For over 10 years, I’ve been a resource – a GUIDE – for those who want realistic, science-based answers to their questions about caffeine and energy drinks. That’s why I wrote the books, “Are You a Monster or a Rock Star: A Guide to Energy Drinks” and “How to Get Sh*t Done When You Feel Like Sh*t”.
But enough about me, let’s get to the good stuff!
3 Ways to Make Energy Drinks Safer - Live Chat with GreenEyedGuide and the Food Safety Foundation
In this live chat, In this live chat, GreenEyedGuide discusses energy drinks and caffeine trends with the Food Safety Foundation. This chat is perfect for anyone who enjoys caffeine every day, whether it’s a cup of coffee or an energy drink. Browse the time stamps below for product shout-outs, caffeine trends, and more tips.
TIMESTAMPS – clicking here will play the video from this timestamp in YouTube
5:10 Caffeine is like putting on pants
5:40 What does GreenEyedGuide do? How does GreenEyedGuide help caffeine drinkers?
6:20 Caffeine and Burnout/Emotional Exhaustion
7:10 Energy Drinks raise your blood pressure, but only if you drink 32 oz and more than 300 mg of caffeine
8:00 HOW TO MAKE ENERGY DRINKS SAFER TIP #1 – caffeine limits per day and per serving
*includes a discussion of the American Heart Association study on energy drinks and changes to heart arrhythmia (QTc) and blood pressure
11:20 HOW TO MAKE ENERGY DRINKS SAFER TIP #2 – thinking of energy drinks like cereal
*Product Shout Outs:
11:45 – the energy drink coffee hybrids, Stabucks Tripleshot and Java Monster
12:00 energy drinks fueled by tea, Marquis and Vibal Energy Tea
12:15 clean energy drinks, LIFEAID FocusAid and Kill Cliff Ignite
12:30 the stereotypical energy drinks, Bang and Red Bull
12:40 POP QUIZ – which of all these drinks is “the most dangerous” in terms of caffeine content?
15:25 HOW TO MAKE ENERGY DRINKS SAFER TIP #3 – the 5 Levels of Fatigue *Includes a discussion of caffeine withdrawal, building caffeine tolerance, and dependence
16:50 How to Get Sh*t Done When You Feel Like Sh*t
17:40 How to cut back on caffeine
19:20 Sneaky tricks using the caffeine placebo effect
21:00 FDA regulations regarding caffeine labeling
22:00 Why it’s not accurate to say, “Energy Drinks are not regulated by the FDA”
22:50 Why the US FDA should regulate energy drinks the same way Canada does
26:10 Mixing energy drinks and alcohol – how much you can mix and still be safe
28:00 Caffeine trends in food, drinks, and exercise supplements
30:20 Tips for Product Developers, Quality Assurance, and Food Safety personnel regarding caffeine, energy drinks, and popular ingredients like Curcumin .