When it comes to lowering blood pressure through diet, there is a hyperemphasis 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, salty foods are not the only culprits when it comes to high blood pressure, according to cardiologists and registered dietitians.
“Salt is only part of the story,” he notes Michele D. Rager, DCN, RDN, LDN, FANDhead of clinical nutrition at Berry Street. “Some drinks … can also raise blood pressure. Ingredients like caffeine or certain herbal extracts can constrict your blood vessels and make your heart beat faster within minutes.”
Recognizing the foods and drinks that raise your blood pressure allows you to proactively manage your health. Rager, another RD, and two cardiologists agree: A regular 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 rapid increases in blood pressure due to the way their ingredients stimulate the cardiovascular system,” says Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDNa preventive cardiology dietitian and certified diabetes educator for EntirelyNourished.com.
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Not to shock you further, but there is considerable data to support the idea that energy drinks can raise blood pressure, including in people without high blood pressure.
Unfortunately, caffeine—AKA the main reason people usually turn to an energy drink—is also the reason why this drink can raise your blood pressure.
“Caffeine triggers the release of epinephrine—adrenaline—which can cause a rise in blood pressure, which usually peaks within an hour,” he explains. Dr. Randy Gould, DOcardiologist at Manhattan Cardiology in NYC and contributor to labfinder.com.
However, take a look at the ingredient label. Energy drinks contain other ingredients that can increase the risk of high blood pressure, starting with guarana, an extract from the plant.
“Guarana is essentially an added source of caffeine,” explains Rager. “When included, the total stimulant load is greater than what the label may suggest, which can lead to an even greater increase in blood pressure.”
She also points to the bitter orange content in energy drinks as a factor in raising blood pressure. “Bitter orange—or synephrine—is another stimulant that can mimic adrenaline,” she says. “Studies show it can cause small but significant increases in blood pressure and heart rate.”
Related: Most people don’t realize that this common daily habit raises their blood pressure
Signs an energy drink has raised your blood pressure
Understanding the signs that an energy drink is raising your blood pressure can help protect your health in the short term and even the long term.
Dr. Gould says you may experience the following if an energy drink has contributed to a rise in blood pressure:
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Heart palpitations (feeling like your heart is racing or fluttering)
“If you develop these symptoms, stop drinking the energy drink immediately, increase your water intake to stay hydrated, and try to relax,” suggests Dr. Gould.
However, if symptoms are severe or persist, seek medical attention, he advises Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at Saddleback Medical Center.
Importantly, you may not know if energy drinks have raised your blood pressure.
“Many people experience a ‘silent bit,'” cautions Routhenstein. “This is especially true for regular caffeine users or people with caffeine tolerance. However, it’s important to remember that blood pressure can still rise, putting extra strain on the heart and arteries over time, even if you feel fine.”
Related: Cardiologists implore you to never skip a 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 because it can raise blood pressure. Unfortunately, “the caffeine content of energy drinks can vary greatly by brand and can size,” says Rager. Overall, however, she reports that:
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A typical 8.4-ounce energy drink contains about 80 milligrams (mg) of caffeine.
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A typical 16-ounce can contains about 160 mg of caffeine.
That said, Rager notes that “Some brands go much higher—up to 300 mg [of caffeine] in a 16-ounce can”.
To put things into perspective, she points to FDA guidance that states up to 400 mg of caffeine daily is usually considered safe for most healthy adults. That’s what you’ll get from about two to three 12-ounce cups of coffee. “That means a single large energy drink can easily deliver half of nearly all of your daily suggested caffeine intake in a single shot.”
Sip.
Related: Do You Have High Blood Pressure? Avoid combining these 2 foods, cardiologists say
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 consumption of energy drinks is unlikely to have long-term consequences, consumption of energy drinks daily or several times a day could lead to clinical hypertension and increased risk of abnormal heart rhythms,” says Dr. Chen.
However, he do what suggests eliminating energy drinks if you live with high blood pressure, explaining, “In these people, caffeine—if consumed in excess—can lead to serious cardiovascular complications, such as stroke or [irregular heartbeats].”
Rager adds that it’s probably time to cut back on energy drinks (and even talk to a provider) if you regularly experience high blood pressure symptoms after having one. 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 information) still matters in managing blood pressure
Energy drinks can raise blood pressure faster than sodium, but that doesn’t mean health experts want you to shake off the salt like a Polaroid. “Sodium directly raises blood pressure by promoting fluid retention and increasing blood volume,” says Routhenstein. “Unlike energy drinks, which cause quick, short-term increases, the effects of sodium accumulate over time.”
She adds that chronic overconsumption of salt 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 per day (ideally, 1,500 milligrams).
The rest of your diet matters too. “Sweetened beverages such as sodas, juices, and teas can contribute to weight gain and lead to elevated blood pressure and/or glucose levels,” explains Dr. Gould. “Foods that are 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.
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Related: Cardiologists implore people with high blood pressure to stop doing this as soon as possible
Sources:
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Kicking the salt habit to lower high blood pressure. American Heart Association.
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Michele D. Rager, DCN, RDN, LDN, FAND, chief of clinical nutrition at Berry Street
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Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, Preventive Cardiology Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator at EntirelyNourished.com
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The effects of energy drinks on the cardiovascular system. World Journal of Cardiology.
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Impact of high-volume energy drink consumption on electrocardiographic and blood pressure parameters: a randomized trial. Journal of the American Heart Association.
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Chronic consumption of a commercial energy drink reduces blood pressure in normotensive wild-type mice. Frontiers in Nutrition.
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Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at Saddleback Medical Center
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Dr. Randy Gould, DO, cardiologist at Manhattan Cardiology in New York and contributor to labfinder.com
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Safety and efficacy of Citrus aurantium (Bitter Orange) extracts 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 Health & Wellness. Add Parade as a favorite source by clicking here.