A popular drink that raises blood pressure faster than salt

When it comes to lowering blood pressure through diet, there is a hyperfocus on sodium. It’s worth taking this advice with more than a grain of salt: The American Heart Association notes that cutting just 1,000 milligrams of sodium from your daily diet can significantly improve blood pressure.

However, according to cardiologists and registered dietitians, salty foods aren’t the only culprit when it comes to high blood pressure.

“Salt is only part of the story,” notes Michelle D. Reger, DCN, RDN, LDN, FANDMajor in Clinical Nutrition at Berry Street. “Certain drinks…can also raise your blood pressure. Ingredients like caffeine or certain herbal extracts tighten your blood vessels and make your heart beat faster by the minute.”

Identifying which foods and beverages raise blood pressure allows you to proactively manage your health. Reger, another RD, and two cardiologists agree: A simple drink can raise blood pressure even faster than salt.

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This common drink raises blood pressure faster than salt

“Energy drinks can cause a rapid increase in blood pressure because of how they stimulate the cardiovascular system,” he says. Michelle Rautenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDNA preventive cardiology dietitian and certified diabetes educator for EntirelyNourished.com.

Not to shock you further, but there is enough data to back up the idea that energy drinks can raise blood pressure, including in people without high blood pressure.

Unfortunately, caffeine—aka the main reason people usually reach for energy drinks too Because this drink can raise your blood pressure.

“Caffeine triggers the release of epinephrine – adrenaline – which can cause a spike in blood pressure, usually peaking within an hour,” explains Dr. Randy Gould, DOA cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology in NYC and contributor to labfinder.com.

However, look at the ingredients label. Energy drinks contain other ingredients that may increase the risk of high blood pressure, starting with guarana, a plant extract.

“Guarana is essentially an additional source of caffeine,” Reger explains. “When it’s included, the total stimulant load is higher than the label might suggest, which can lead to an even bigger bump in blood pressure.”

He also flags bitter orange ingredients in energy drinks as a driver of high blood pressure. “Bitter orange—or synephrine—is another stimulant that can mimic adrenaline,” she says. “Studies show that it can cause small but meaningful increases in blood pressure and heart rate.”

Related: Many people don’t realize this common daily habit is raising their blood pressure

Energy drinks can cause your blood pressure to rise

Understanding the signs that energy drinks are raising your blood pressure can help you protect your short- and long-term health.

Dr. Gould says that if energy drinks contribute to an increase in your blood pressure, you may experience:

• Palpitations (like a pounding or racing heart)

“If you experience these symptoms, stop consuming energy drinks immediately, increase your water intake to stay hydrated and try to rest,” Dr. Gould suggests.

However, if symptoms are severe or persist, seek medical attention, advice Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, Board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at Saddleback Medical Center.

Importantly, you may not know if energy drinks raise your blood pressure.

“Many people experience a ‘silent spike,'” cautions Routhenstein. “This is especially true for caffeine consumers or people with caffeine tolerance. However, it’s important to note that blood pressure can still rise, putting extra stress on the heart and arteries over time, even if you feel fine.”

Related: Cardiologists implore you to never skip one thing when checking your blood pressure at home.

How much caffeine is in energy drinks?

It’s important to know how much caffeine is in your energy drink, as it can raise your blood pressure. Unfortunately, “caffeine content in energy drinks can vary greatly by brand and size,” Reger says. In general, though, she reports that:

• A typical 8.4-ounce energy drink contains about 80 milligrams (mg) of caffeine.

• A typical 16 oz serving contains 160 mg of caffeine.

That said, Reger notes that, “some brands are much higher—up to 300-plus mg. [of caffeine] in a 16-ounce can.”

To put things in perspective, he points to FDA guidance that 400 mg of caffeine daily is generally considered safe for most healthy adults. That’s about as much as you’ll get from two to three 12-ounce cups of coffee. “This means that a single large energy drink can easily deliver half of your recommended daily dose of caffeine in one shot.”

Gulp.

Related: Have high blood pressure? A cardiologist says, don’t combine these 2 foods

Wait—do I have to give up energy drinks forever?

It depends on your overall health and how energy drinks affect your blood pressure.

“While occasional energy drink consumption is unlikely to have long-term consequences, consuming energy drinks daily or several times a day may potentially increase the risk of clinical hypertension and abnormal heart rhythms,” Dr. Chen says.

However, he does If you are living with high blood pressure suggest eliminating energy drinks, explaining, “In these people, caffeine – if consumed in excess – can potentially cause serious complications such as heart attack or stroke. [irregular heartbeats].”

Reger adds that if you regularly experience high blood pressure symptoms after one, it’s time to cut back on energy drinks (and talk to a provider). If you’re not sure, it may be worth investing in a home blood pressure monitor.

Related: The Surprising Morning Drink That Boosts Focus Better Than Coffee

Salt (and other nutritional facts) is still important in blood pressure management

Energy drinks can raise blood pressure faster than sodium, but that doesn’t mean health care experts want to shake your salt shaker like a Polaroid picture. “Sodium directly raises blood pressure by promoting fluid retention and increasing blood volume,” Ruthenstein says. “Unlike energy drinks, which cause quick, short-term spikes, sodium’s effect accumulates over time.”

She adds that chronic high salt intake can contribute to and damage the inner lining of blood vessels, making it harder for your body to regulate blood flow. The American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams (ideally 1,500 milligrams) per day.

The rest of your diet is also important. “Sweet drinks like soda, juice, and tea can contribute to weight gain and can raise blood pressure and/or glucose levels,” Dr. Gould says. “Foods high in saturated and trans fats can also raise blood pressure.”

A cardiologist or registered dietitian can give you personalized advice on how to align your diet with your blood pressure goals.

Next:

Related: Cardiologists are imploring people with high blood pressure to stop doing this one thing ASAP

Sources:

• Kicking the salt habit to lower high blood pressure. American Heart Association.

• Michelle D. Reger, DCN, RDN, LDN, FAND, Chief of Clinical Nutrition at Berry Street

• Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, a preventive cardiology dietitian and certified diabetes educator at EntirelyNourished.com

• Effects of energy drinks on the cardiovascular system. World Journal of Cardiology.

• Effects of high volume energy drink consumption on electrocardiographic and blood pressure parameters: a randomized trial. Journal of the American Heart Association.

• Chronic consumption of a commercial energy drink reduces blood pressure in normotensive wild-type mice. Frontiers in Nutrition.

• Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at Saddleback Medical Center

• Dr. Randy Gould, DO, cardiologist at Manhattan Cardiology in NYC and contributor to labfinder.com

• Safety and efficacy of Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extract and p-synephrine: a systematic review and meta-analysis. nutrients.

This story was originally published by Parade on December 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the Health & Wellness section. Add Parade as a favorite source by clicking here.