High Caffeine Intake Turns Deadly for Teen
Written by Eunseo Whaong
A tragic story from South Carolina has sparked new debates about how safe caffeine really is for young people.
Davis Allen Cripe, a 16-year-old high school student, collapsed in class after drinking three different caffeinated beverages in less than two hours: a McDonald’s latte, a large Mountain Dew, and an energy drink. He died shortly after, and doctors ruled the cause as a “caffeine-induced cardiac event.”
Not an Overdose—But Still Deadly
Coroner Gary Watts explained that the total amount of caffeine was not technically an “overdose.” Instead, the problem was the speed and combination of drinks taken over a short time.
Davis had no known heart problems, and his autopsy showed no hidden conditions. Watts emphasized that this was a rare but very real reaction, saying people should treat caffeine with the same caution as alcohol or cigarettes.
How Much Caffeine Is Considered Safe?
A McDonald’s latte: about 142mg of caffeine
A 20-ounce Mountain Dew: about 90mg
A 16-ounce energy drink: up to 240mg
Together, Davis consumed nearly 500mg in under two hours. For adults, both the FDA and European Food Safety Authority suggest 400mg per day is generally safe. But for teens, there’s no clear safe limit—and the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly discourages caffeine use in kids and teens.
Other Cases Highlighting the Risks
In 2011, a 14-year-old girl named Anais Fournier, who had a heart condition, died after drinking two cans of Monster energy drink (about 480mg of caffeine).
In 2015, two students in the UK accidentally received the caffeine equivalent of 300 cups of coffee in a lab experiment and nearly died.
These cases remain rare, but they show how dangerous caffeine can be when conditions line up the wrong way.
Why Caffeine Can Be Risky
Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the heart and nervous system. In sensitive people or those with hidden conditions, it can trigger irregular heartbeats, dizziness, nausea, or even seizures. The World Health Organization recognizes caffeine dependence as a disorder, and health agencies warn that high doses can cause high blood pressure, irritability, and sleep problems.
Takeaway for Teens
For most people, caffeine just means a little boost of energy. But tragedies like Davis’s remind us that more is not better. Energy drinks, in particular, pack high doses that the teen body may not handle well. Experts agree: moderation is key, and young people should be especially cautious.
