"I Can't Walk"... Claims Raised That Drinking Three Cans a Day of Energy Drinks Is to Blame

"Drank Up to Three Cans a Day"
Excessive Energy Drink Consumption
Pancreas, Liver, and Spleen Damage... Aftereffects Include Leg Paralysis

It has come to light that a man in his 20s from Russia has suffered severe aftereffects, including organ failure and eventual loss of mobility, after consuming excessive amounts of energy drinks over several years. His family claims that the long-term abuse of energy drinks is the cause.

A man in his 20s from Russia suffering from aftereffects due to excessive energy drink consumption over several years. Facebook

Recently, Russian media outlet Ura News reported that "Artem, a 22-year-old gamer living in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug in northern Russia, drank energy drinks for eight years to stay up all night gaming, which led to pancreatic disease and ultimately left him unable to use his legs."

It is reported that Artem became addicted to computer games as a teenager and began drinking energy drinks to play late into the night. His mother, Yekaterina, explained that at first Artem drank only one can a day, but over time this increased to three cans, and he often consumed them on an empty stomach.

Artem's health issues began to appear around the age of 16. Due to the continued consumption of energy drinks, various problems started to develop throughout his body. In 2024, his symptoms rapidly worsened, and there came a day when he was unable to stand up at all.

Yekaterina said, "His pancreas began to necrotize as it burned out. His liver and spleen were damaged, and the psychological shock was so severe that he lost his voice. After that, his legs became paralyzed. Suddenly, he couldn't get up at all."

Artem is currently hospitalized in a medical facility in Saint Petersburg, receiving treatment. The medical team is providing intensive care to help him regain his ability to walk. The rehabilitation period is expected to take at least six months to one year. However, his pancreatic condition remains severe, making his prognosis uncertain.

Energy drinks contain high amounts of sugar and caffeine, and excessive long-term consumption can cause various health problems. One 500ml can of an energy drink contains as much sugar as 14 packets of 4g sugar and as much caffeine as about five 330ml cans of Coca-Cola. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that adults consume no more than 400mg of caffeine per day. Overconsumption of energy drinks can lead to increased heart rate, insomnia, headaches, dehydration, dizziness, high blood pressure, and gastrointestinal issues.

In response, the British government restricts the sale of energy drinks to those under the age of 16. The regulation prohibits the sale of energy drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per liter to minors under 16. In Portugal, a bill banning the sale of energy drinks to minors is under discussion, and similar regulations are being considered in Spain, Germany, Slovenia, and Hungary.