Medical experts have issued warnings about the dangers of mixing alcohol with energy drinks, emphasizing the potential health risks associated with this practice. This behavior is particularly prevalent among young people in society. Professor Tanimola Akande, a Public Health expert at the University of Ilorin, noted that individuals who combine alcohol with energy drinks are more likely to engage in unwanted or unprotected sex compared to those who do not mix their beverages. He stated, “Mixing alcohol with an energy drink is a dangerous practice that is on the increase in our society.”
Prof. Akande explained that energy drinks typically contain caffeine, plant-based stimulants, simple sugars, and various additives. The combination of alcohol and caffeine can mask the depressant effects of alcohol, leading drinkers to feel more alert than they actually are. Consequently, this may result in increased alcohol consumption, causing individuals to become more impaired than they realize, which heightens the risk of alcohol-related harms. He warned that the consumption of energy drinks mixed with alcohol can obscure signs of impairment and elevate the likelihood of injury.
Additionally, Dr. Ibrahim Kuranga-Suleiman, a consultant family physician and Head of the Family Medicine Department at the University of Ilorin, cautioned against mixing energy drinks with any alcoholic beverages. He pointed out that energy drinks contain sugar, calories, and caffeine, which can pose significant health risks when combined with alcohol. “You will be doing yourself a lot of harm mixing energy drinks with alcohol or any other drinks. You will become addicted, and when that happens, it will become a medical issue,” he added.
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