Finals week at Bowling Green State University (BGSU)—from April 27 to May 1–heralds late-night study sessions and early exams. Many students turn to caffeine to recoup from later bedtimes and maintain focus.
Yet, does the prevalence of caffeine on college campuses represent more than just an energy kick?
FLRT energy drink—a “woman-focused,” vibrant beverage line from Monster Energy—was released in BGSU markets in March 2026. A 12-ounce can has 200 mg of caffeine, 40 more mg of caffeine than a standard 16-ounce Monster Energy drink.
Launched in April 2026, Starbucks released energy refreshers, offering a boost of up to 125 mg of caffeine in their classic flavors.
In March 2026, Panera Bread, which is located right outside campus, released an amended Energy Refresher, with now only 42 mg of caffeine per drink. Panera Bread’s 2023 Charged Lemonades contained up to 390 mg of caffeine and were discontinued after a lawsuit, where a college student with a pre-existing heart condition died after unknowingly consuming the copious amount of caffeine.
Hitting the press on April 9, Alani Nu energy drinks is currently experiencing a lawsuit; a 17-year-old cheerleader died from an enlarged heart in 2025, “caused by stress and a large amount of caffeine” from Alani drinks, according to FOX10.
With many energy drinks marketed as “high-quality nutritional supplements” (Alani Nu), the “ultimate energizing pick-me-up” (Starbucks Energy Refreshers), or “unexpectedly addictive” (FLRT Energy Drink), how health-focused are energy drinks?
Rechelle Bischoff, an adjunct faculty member in BGSU’s Food and Nutrition Department and campus dietitian, shared her insights.
“A reasonable amount of caffeine for a healthy adult is no more than 400 mg per day and less than 100 mg per day for those 12 to 18 years of age,” Bischoff explained. “42 mg per [Panera Bread Energy] Refresher is actually less than a standard 8-ounce cup of regular coffee…Now, the added sugar content of the beverages could be less beneficial in regard to overall health.”
While certain brands offer zero-sugar options, others do not. Bischoff suggests a guideline for these sugary consumptions.
“A reasonable amount of added sugar is less than 10% of daily calories,” Bischoff continues. “So, if a person is eating 2,000 calories per day, no more than 200 calories should come from added sugars, which equates to 50 grams of added sugar.”
For students seeking more information about the food they are consuming, Bischoff encourages contacting a reliable source: a registered dietitian, like herself.
“The chain foodservice establishments are required by law to disclose ingredients and nutrition information, so it is their responsibility to have that information readily available. It is up to the consumer whether they look at that information,” Bischoff notes. “I will say the general population does not have a great deal of nutrition knowledge to know the ins and outs of the dietary guidelines…for proper nutrition information and guidance on intakes, registered dietitians are the best source.”
Bischoff explores a broader perspective on nutrition before students grab an overly caffeinated energy drink.
“If someone feels as if they need to reach for extra caffeine to get them through the day, it may be beneficial to look at their overall diet, sleep patterns, physical activity and nutritional status in regards to laboratory values to understand where they might need some improvement,” Bischoff said.
Discover the resources and the nutrition information for the food you consume on campus: https://dineoncampus.com/bgsu/nutrition-info
