Dietitian Pablo Ojeda has warned shoppers that energy drinks are the single worst product available on supermarket shelves, pointing to heavy caffeine concentrations and high levels of concealed sugar.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper ABC, Ojeda said that if he were ever asked to name the worst item sold in a supermarket, he would select energy drinks without any hesitation.
Ojeda pointed out that a single 500-millilitre can of an energy drink contains a quantity of caffeine equivalent to more than two cups of coffee. He added that the same individual can contains 15 sugar cubes, a detail that many consumers remain completely unaware of when making purchases.
The doctor warned that product packaging often obscures the true amount of sugar inside. Because nutrition labels typically list the sugar content per 100 millilitres rather than for the entire container, buyers must multiply that printed figure by five to determine the actual amount present in a 500-millilitre drink.
Dehydration risks in hot weather
Ojeda also challenged the widespread belief that consuming cold energy drinks helps people cool down during hot weather. He explained that while the beverages may initially satisfy a person's immediate desire for fluid, they can lead to dehydration over the medium term, leaving the drinker feeling thirsty again within an hour.
Energy drinks are widely sold in supermarkets, convenience stores, and gas stations worldwide, frequently marketed to young adults as fast solutions for fatigue and mental alertness. However, health organizations and nutritionists routinely raise concerns over high caffeine and sugar intake, noting that heavy consumption can cause rapid heart rate, sleep disruption, and sharp spikes in blood glucose levels.
Probiotics and healthier beverage choices
The warning regarding supermarket products follows recommendations from dietitian Adiana Castro, who previously compiled a list of beverages that assist in slowing down the aging process. Among her top recommendations, Castro highlighted kefir, explaining that its probiotic content helps improve overall gut health.
Kefir is a traditional fermented milk drink produced using starter cultures of bacteria and yeast, widely valued in modern nutrition for supporting microbiome diversity. Health professionals often recommend fermented probiotic foods as nutrient-dense alternatives to ultra-processed supermarket drinks, citing their role in aiding digestion and reducing systemic inflammation.
