16 like 4 dislike
in General Factchecking by Newbie (430 points)
Celsius and other caffeinated drinks can lead to brain fog and fatigue.
by Novice (740 points)
0 0
While you do make a good point about the misleading title, and it is commendable that you sought out the referenced sources from the article--I think your fact check could be improved if you 1. link the sources you are claiming are reputable and 2. seek out another source or study that is not linked from the original source to check for verification, and then link those. While it seems like you understand the point of the article and its downfalls, to further verify the information you are reading I think a bit more research is necessary.
by Newbie (220 points)
0 0
While there has been studies that caffeine can cause brain fog, the claim that specifically Celsius causes brain fog can be awfully misleading. I was unable to find any information on the internet connecting brain fog to celsius, but it is a known fact that caffeine can contribute to brain fog. So while this claim could lean towards the truth, it is overall false and misleading.
by Novice (650 points)
0 0
I Agree that tolerance plays a big role! People metabolize caffeine differently, which makes it hard to predict brain fog effects for everyone. Some feel wired after a small amount, while others need much more. This variation in tolerance and metabolism shows why caffeine’s impact on focus and fatigue can’t be generalized without considering individual factors like age and daily habits.
by Newbie (290 points)
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The answer itself was great and descriptive, but the claim itself was very broad and misleading. The article seems to talk more about caffeine as opposed to celsius specifically as that is just an example of a caffeinated beverage.
by Newbie (220 points)
edited by
0 0
You make a strong point about the misleading title. you acknowledged the reference to articles however lacked the actual source providing.  Providing direct links to the sources would strengthen the argument, as it allows others to easily verify the information. Additionally, seeking out an independent source or study not linked in the original article would add even more credibility.

59 Answers

10 like 0 dislike
by Novice (840 points)
selected by
 
Best answer

The article claims that Celsius and other caffeinated drinks can lead to brain fog and fatigue after restless nights and sleep deprivation. 

Throughout the article, different sites are linked to provide more in depth explanations of causes and effects of caffeine. Dr. Dennis Lipton explains "people with brain fog may not realize how bad they feel until they treat it and suddenly feel- and think- better." That being said, the intake of caffeinated drinks isn’t the leading cause of brain fog and fatigue, but could be factored in restless nights and deprivation of sleep. However, these symptoms are not detrimental and can be treated. According to Lipton, "treatment can be as easy as going to bed earlier, sleeping with oxygen (for sleep apnea), consuming less alcohol and caffeine,". Given that, it is shown that brain fog and fatigue is a result of many different aspects, not just caffeine. Caffeine is just a product that many who struggle with chronic fatigue syndrome (CSF), insomnia, etc use to combat symptoms. Another aspect that is interesting is from Christopher Drake et al article that agrees with the notion "caffeine taken 6 hours before bedtime has important disruptive effects on sleep and provides empirical support for sleep hygiene recommendations to refrain from substantial caffeine use for a minimum of 6 hours prior to bedtime." This may be a fact in which many people don't take into account. Those that are struggling with constant fatigue and drowsiness may use caffeine more frequently and past the time slot recommended. With that, they don't receive proper sleep and will continue this vicious cycle. 

The heading of this article is made to hook people's attention and get them to click, but is misleading. Although caffeine doesn’t directly result in brain fog and other symptoms stated in this article, it can take a toll on people's sleep schedules and habits. The lack of sleep can cause symptoms of brain fog, fatigue, dehydration, and others, but isn’t the actual cause. 

https://www.vailhealth.org/news/could-it-be-brain-fog

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3805807 

Exaggerated/ Misleading
by Newbie (260 points)
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I really liked how you approached the fact-checking process with such thoroughness and critical thinking. Your analysis of the claims about caffeine and its effects on brain fog and fatigue was impressive. By using credible sources like Dr. Dennis Lipton and Christopher Drake, you added significant depth to your argument. You effectively highlighted the complexities of caffeine's impact on sleep and cognitive function, making your analysis both informative and balanced.
ago by Newbie (220 points)
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The mention of Dr. Lipton’s perspective on how brain fog can often go unnoticed until it's alleviated is a helpful reminder that we may not always recognize how poorly we’re feeling until we make changes to our routines. Your conclusion about the article’s potentially misleading headline is thoughtful and well-argued. While caffeine might play a role in sleep disruptions, the primary cause of fatigue is often more complex, involving factors like sleep deprivation and overall health habits.
ago by Newbie (380 points)
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Great job on providing a really thought-out and explanatory factcheck. I looked a bit into both of the sources you provided, Vail Health, and PMC of the National Library of Medicine, and both are very credible and provide great explanations to the claim. Also, your citing of Dr. Lipton and Christopher Drake further proves your claims and also added depth to the argument by providing multiple perspectives and quotes. I like that you noted the complexities of caffeine's impact on cognitive function, because it can truly go unnoticed until we feel the worst of the side effects, such as headache and fatigue. Overall you factchecked this really well by providing great sources and quotes, good job!
ago by Novice (620 points)
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You did a good job providing a well thought out fact check. The sources you used are credible and provide good evidence for your claim. You also did a good job integrating quotes form the sources you read showing that you put the time to research the topic and are now well educated on the topic. Your further analysis on caffeine and its effects on brain fog and the fact that brain fog is not always detected pushed your claim further while also making it stronger. Amazing work!
ago by Novice (700 points)
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Thank you Eevie for your response to this claim, right off the bat I can tell your response is very thought over and covers a lot. I like how you brought scientific resoning into your response, which becasue this claim is in the realm of scinece adding this in gives your factchekc more credability. Your qutoes form the article the person used when you are factchecking I found increased your depth of response, I did this for my factcheck this time around and I found it helpful for my understanidng. The two sources at the end when I look seem ok for the subject, althouh I would look at more indepth soruces that brouden your understanding instead of kinda restating what you think. Great job!
2 like 0 dislike
by Novice (960 points)

The article claims that energy drinks such as Celsius, gives the consumer brain fog and fatigue in mornings. 

The site claims "Vail Health", "does not recommend following an overall nutritious diet because blood sugar swings can cause inconsistent brain fuel, thus resulting in brain fog."

The linked Vail Health site reads "Brain fog is fairly common, but it’s not normal; it’s actually a symptom of other problems, which can be as simple as not sleeping well or as serious as low or high blood sugar in a person with diabetes." This site is a .ORG site which makes it more trustworthy, and I found one mention of caffeine on this site; "Many times, treatment can be as easy as going to bed earlier, sleeping with oxygen (for sleep apnea), consuming less alcohol and caffeine, eating healthy food regularly and even drinking more water. Studies have shown dehydration contributes to poor brain function (kids who drank a few cups of water before a cognitive test did better than the control group), and in the High Country, it’s easy to become dehydrated."

Throughout the article, there were claims that caffeine consumption effects sleep by a lot, which then causes brain fog due to the lack of sleep, which is true, but the site's headline is clearly clickbait trying to get people to click and read the article, even stop consuming coffee and energy related drinks. But the linked evidential sites claimed from their studies that brain fog comes from lack of sleep and dehydration, and not directly from consumption of coffee or energy related drinks. 

Exaggerated/ Misleading
by Apprentice (1.0k points)
1 0
I appreciate how in-depth you went into trustworthy ".org" sites and a quote about a study that found evidence that this claim is true, it gives your claim a solid background. Claiming the title is clickbait, however, goes against all the credibility you gave your claim considering you reference sites that proved the new title true. I would also suggest looking at a second source not just the source provided.
by Newbie (360 points)
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Great job factchecking! You were very thorough in your research of the claim. One detail that could have furthered your fact checking is looking into specific details/statistics mentioned in the article. For instance, the article states that around 1 million Americans are affected by brain fog- Is this statistic true? Though you do mention how many of the sources they quote are reliable because of their .org status- does anything else make them reliable? Are the sources scientific or particularly knowledgable regarding celsius or brain fog? Overall, a couple details would benefit your fact-checks!
by Newbie (340 points)
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I like the lengths that you went to to ensure that the sources used were reliable. It really makes be believe you're claims as you were really thorough with your research. I liked how you pointed out that causation does not equal causation as there are other factors that may cause brain fog for an individual.
by Novice (780 points)
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I really appreciate how in depth you went with your answer. It really makes me believe and trust that what you're saying is reliable and true. I really appreciate how you mentioned that there are other factors that go into brain fog. I do wish you linked the sources at the end of your answer so it would be easier to see where you got the information from.
by Apprentice (1.3k points)
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This factcheck is very detailed however, I wish there was a link to the more trustworthy .org site you mention.
by Apprentice (1.1k points)
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Really appreciate your research on this topic i wish there was further research on this topic since as a college student i find it very interesting that Celsius can have such big effects on you will be doing some further research of my own!
by Novice (660 points)
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I appreciate your use of direct quotes from a credible source instead of just listing a source with no context. I found this to be a beneficial and insightful response. Also, adding a non-profit health organization was a good choice to include.
by (150 points)
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I enjoyed reading your factcheck, it was very detailed to what causes brain fog and that while caffeine does have ties to brain fog and lack of sleep, the title was clickbait. your use of source was also very beneficial for the information provided and used well throughout the factcheck.
by Newbie (380 points)
0 0
This is a good fact check! You did a great job showing how the headline doesn't really match what the sources say. I like that you checked out the Vail Health site and you pointed out it's a .org, so it's reliable. You explained the link between caffeine, sleep and  hydration really well too which makes the fact check feel more balanced.
2 like 0 dislike
by Newbie (340 points)

In the article quoted for this claim, the conclusion of the study proves that the claim to be true but that the headline is clickbait. In the article it states that caffeine does have an effect on brain fog proven as well as ability to sleep and anxiety from studies done Vail Health. "Vail Health does recommend following an overall nutritious diet because blood sugar swings can cause inconsistent brain fuel, thus resulting in brain fog". Cleveland Clinic came to a similar conclusion, "The more caffeine you consume, the more likely you are to experience negative side effects, including neurologic and cardiac issues and even death". Clearly caffeine has negative side effects but nowhere in any of these studies does it specifically say anything about Celsius, which means that this headline is clickbait.

Exaggerated/ Misleading
by Newbie (320 points)
0 0
Something I appreciate about this comment is the last sentence concluding and summarizing the ideas of the claim and your fact check. It makes it very easy to understand what all the evidence you found means regarding the claim.
by Newbie (440 points)
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This fact-check is very good because you linked all of your sources in an organized and easy to read way. I agree with your statement because brain fog is more linked to a person's overall health, not just their caffeine intake.
by Newbie (490 points)
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I like how your fact-check is directly in a sense debunking the claim made by the user since it gets straight to the point of what was said. The quotes taken from some of the articles are also helpful in understanding what you are referring to.
by Novice (670 points)
0 0
Thank your for pointing out the way that the article contradicts itself, this is a very helpful response! Additionally, your use of the Cleveland Clinic article as a different source to back up the same claim adds validity to your response, great job :)
2 like 0 dislike
by Novice (810 points)
The linked article talks about the effects of caffeine on the brain, including the brain fog that can come from drinking too much of it. This is technically true, though not directly. The article linked Vail Health's article on brain fog, which states that brain fog could be caused by something "as simple as not sleeping well, or as serious as low or high blood sugar in a person with diabetes." Lack of good sleep can be caused by ingesting caffeine, so to say that caffeine causes brain fog is not wrong, though it eliminates the other factors that effect the brain's ability to focus.

The writer of the original Live Strong article is a full time professional journalist who has a college education at the University of Maryland. The reviewer of the article is a registered dietition with experience in this topic. Both of these people seem qualified to speak on this topic, which aids in the articles credibility and reliability. Both sources that they cite (Vail Health and the Cleveland Clinic) are .org websites, which points to the fact that they're reliable, as well. In addition, other journalists/articles agree that, based on what we know, caffeine causes dehydration and sleepiness, which causes brain fog.

Though caffeine doesn't directly cause brain fog, it causes sleeplessness and dehydration, which is what causes brain fog. Drinking large amounts of Celsius would give a person brain fog because it would cause dehydration and limit their ability to sleep properly, which are both large factors in the creation of brain fog. And while not all brain fog can be linked to caffeine, there's a good chance that caffeine usage will indirectly cause brain fog.
True
by Novice (690 points)
0 0
I think your first paragraph makes a very good point. Often, we can look at something and see that it is technically true but also not take any time to think about the fact that there could be, as you say, "other factors" affecting the problem. When doing research, it is important to focus on all the factors. That way, we can try to see if there are any deeper areas to the problem at hand.
by Apprentice (1.3k points)
0 0
I appreciate your insight into the author of the article, it gives weight to the credibility of the article. The first paragraph also does a good job pointing out the fine details of the article that expose the clickbaity title of the article.
by Novice (790 points)
0 0
I agree with your fact check and also believe that this claim is true. It's great how you used multiple reliable sources to back up the idea that caffeine can have negative affects on human health. You also did a good job describing how it can be a contributing factor of brain fog.

It's also good that you highlighted that although the claim is ultimately true, it is slightly exaggerated/misleading. Celsius is not the only direct cause of brain fog and to say so would be incorrect. As you stated, Vail Health argues that brain fog can be caused by something as simple as low blood sugar or lack of sleep.
0 like 0 dislike
by Newbie (300 points)

The article that was linked talks about what brain fog is and some of the things that could attribute to it, like energy drinks such as Celsius.  In this article it also links a Vital Health page which is a more credible site, since it's a .org.  

In the Vital Health article it says, "Many times, treatment can be as easy as going to bed earlier, sleeping with oxygen (for sleep apnea), consuming less alcohol and caffeine, eating healthy food regularly and even drinking more water. Studies have shown dehydration contributes to poor brain function (kids who drank a few cups of water before a cognitive test did better than the control group), and in the High Country, it’s easy to become dehydrated."  So, the article does say that caffeine may be a cause in brain fog, however it does not say that Celsius is the main thing that causes it. 

While caffeine is most likely a cause in brain fog, another organization didn't even recognize it as an option.  Listing, "A lack of sleep, autoimmune conditions like lupus, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia, diabetes and low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, neurodivergent conditions like ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, hormonal changes like during pregnancy or menopause, poor nutrition, stress."

Brain Fog: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Caffeine is a cause in messing up your sleep and thus leading to brain fog, however this article is misleading in placing the blame on Celsius and caffeine alone.

Exaggerated/ Misleading
by Newbie (490 points)
0 0
I completely agree with your fact-check! This is a great way tp explain how the article linked is misleading and that the author's references are legitimate but don't refer to the main claim of celsius. Why not just refer to caffeine like you mentioned? Overall your fact check gives an understanding of what the majority are thinking when reading this article.
0 like 0 dislike
by Newbie (320 points)

The article on caffeine and brain fog raises some interesting points, but the main claim in the title is misleading. While it suggests a direct causal relationship between caffeine and brain fog, the complexities of this topic warrant a more nuanced discussion. The article accurately notes that caffeine can disrupt sleep patterns, citing research from the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine that shows caffeine consumed up to six hours before bedtime can significantly affect sleep quality, leading to increased fatigue and cognitive issues. However, the title implies that caffeine is the sole cause of brain fog, which oversimplifies the issue. The connection between brain fog and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is mentioned, but it’s crucial to highlight that brain fog is not a clinically recognized condition on its own, it is a symptom associated with various health issues, including CFS. This condition currently lacks a cause or treatment, making it misleading to solely attribute brain fog to caffeine consumption. 

by Apprentice (1.5k points)
0 0
Your answer is well-written and provides a detailed analysis of the linked article—well done! However, I think you could strengthen your argument by including perspectives from outside sources. Even though you dive deeply into the claims of the linked article, finding other articles or studies that support your analytical thoughts could make your point of view more credible. By only picking apart the linked article, your stance feels like it's lacking some evidence because it doesn't provide outside input from other experts.
by Novice (530 points)
0 0
Your fact-check makes a very important point about the misleading claim in the title. This is a very good response, but the only thing I'd say to improve is emphasizing that brain fog is a system connected to many health conditions, not just caffeine. Adding one extra simple source that could focus on stress and nutrition would provide a more balanced view and can allow readers to understand the unfortunate complexities about brain fog.
by Novice (920 points)
0 0
Your answer helped me grasp the confusion of the article and title. I have always felt like Celcius's give me really bad brain fog and almost has the opposite effect that caffeine normally has on people. Your response was well written and helped me understand that other factors come into caffeine giving you brain fog.
by Newbie (240 points)
0 0
You raise an excellent point that while the paper acknowledges caffeine as a possible cause of brain fog, it does not specifically blame energy drinks or Celsius for the problem. Rather, it highlights a wider variety of elements that can all have a big impact on cognitive performance, like lack of sleep, hydration, and diet. I think that it's critical to acknowledge that there are other potential causes of brain fog, not only caffeine, and that the inclusion of reliable sources like Vital Health lends credibility to the conversation. Making lifestyle adjustments like getting better sleep, drinking more water, and eating a balanced diet can frequently help reduce brain fog, as the article emphasizes. However, it's important to take into account all potential contributing factors rather than concentrating only on a single one
ago by Newbie (410 points)
0 0
Your response effectively critiques the article because it balances acknowledgment of its valid points with a clear identification of its shortcomings.
ago by (140 points)
0 0
I love how you bring up the complexities within this claim and the article. your answer is well thought out and gives a good point. I think if you looked at some more sources other then the one therefor we would get more opinions and reasoning of why this drink specifically causes the feeling of brain fog. I would have liked to learn more about the various other conditions connected to CFS and how they work together to cause this effect along side drinking Celsius.
0 like 0 dislike
by Newbie (350 points)
edited by
This article is misleading. While this article states that caffeine can lead to less sleep, which is supported by other trustworthy sources such as the NIH, it doesn't prove that caffeine directly leads to brain fog. Sleep-deprivation can lead to both "brain fog" and fatigue, but the article also explains how people can treat those symptoms by getting more "oxygen intake, drinking less caffeine", and other healthy habits before bed. The source also never actually mentions Celsius by name, and also doesn't explain if energy drinks are worse for your health than other caffeine products. There has been no evidence of safe use of Celsius causing health problems. According to Drink Reviews, Celsius has much more caffeine that an average can of redbull, which can put the average consumer at more risk if they don't know the ingredients.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6230475/
by Apprentice (1.2k points)
0 0
I agree! This is a good fact check that examines the issues with the original claim. I think you could have benefitted from using a second source to further triangulate your data, but I like that you used a good .gov source for your response. I also think it is important to consider the quantity of caffeine that is considered unsafe or no longer healthy.
0 like 0 dislike
by Newbie (360 points)

This article claims that Celsius and other caffeinated drinks can lead to brain fog and fatigue.

This article provides links to other articles, which provide more factual information on this topic. They claim that while caffeine itself is not the direct cause of brain fog, it can contribute to sleep deprivation, which in turn can lead to symptoms of brain fog and fatigue. Dr. Dennis Lipton notes that brain fog can be alleviated by improving sleep quality and reducing caffeine intake. The articles links also state that research indicates that caffeine can disrupt sleep if consumed too close to bedtime. A study by Christopher Drake found that caffeine taken six hours before bedtime can significantly disrupt sleep.

Brain fog and fatigue are multifaceted issues with various contributing factors, including stress, poor diet, and lack of exercise. Caffeine is just an additive factor that can worsen these conditions.

The claim that Celsius and other caffeinated drinks directly cause brain fog and fatigue is misleading. While caffeine can contribute to sleep disruption, which may lead to brain fog and fatigue, it is not the sole cause. Improving sleep hygiene and reducing caffeine intake can help mitigate these symptoms. Therefore, the claim is partially true but is exaggerated/misleading and lacks context regarding the multifactorial nature of brain fog and fatigue.

The Balanced Nutritionist

NeuroLaunch

Exaggerated/ Misleading
by Novice (680 points)
0 0
This is a great fact check. I like the way you walked through the steps on how people could associate Celsius with brain fog and fatigue. I also appreciate the way the you broke down the article that way linked in the claim.
by Novice (830 points)
0 0
I like your analysis about how this claim can be exaggerated and confusing. Citing sources from a licensed doctor's perspective is great. I like how you discussed that its' caffeine itself and sleep deprivation can be the leading cause of the brain fog. Acknowledging that there may be other things affecting the brain fog or contributing to it is also amazing! Good job!
by Novice (880 points)
0 0
This was a well rounded factcheck. You broke down what the article actually stated, and went through the links. the links you added lead to credible sources, and your statements are well thought out. It would be interesting to cite a source that includes a direct link from sleep deprivation to brain fog.
0 like 1 dislike
by Novice (750 points)
I think expanding on your claim in the description box could be useful and beneficial to those before clicking on the article that you provided to provide a better understanding and strong stance to your claim that Celsius and or caffeinated drinks can lead to brain fog.

this could include talking about your opinion on Celsius and caffeinated drinks whether or not you have had them or not as well as maybe why you found this claim interesting or why you choose it to engage your readers as well as where you found this article and if its reliable or why we should look more into it as well as maybe including an article about what brain fog is and the effects it personally can cause on a person besides caffeinated drinks being involved.
by Apprentice (1.6k points)
0 0
This is a great point on the formatting of the original post, but I'm wondering if you have something to contribute to the fact checking in this thread. For instance, you might be able to link a source about what brain fog is and its common causes.
0 like 0 dislike
by Newbie (320 points)
edited by

In this article, Dylan Roche claims that caffeine is causing brain fog, but more accurately it affects other parts of your life that will have negative effects on your concentration and memory. Dylan Roche is a well-known author and journalist, and the site Live Strong is focused on setting examples of healthier lifestyles. Taking into consideration the purpose of this website, it makes sense if the effects of caffeine, specifically Celsius and coffee which already have negative reputations, were exaggerated to make a point. Roche mentions the limited stimulation but lasting effect caffeine has on your body, and how that can affect your sleep. An article published in the National Library of Health corroborates this argument, saying "The consumption of caffeine in response to insufficient sleep may impair the onset and maintenance of subsequent sleep". Although it's proven true, the study still doesn't legitimize the claim that caffeine causes brain fog, just that it can affect your sleep and in turn, the lack of sleep may make it hard to concentrate. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36870101/ 

Exaggerated/ Misleading
by Novice (950 points)
0 0
This fact check does a good job of supporting Roche’s argument with a credible source from the National Library of Health, which improves its validity. This connection between caffeine’s impact on sleep and potential cognitive effects adds additional reliability to the claim. However, you could be clearer of the fact that the study links caffeine to sleep disruption, not directly to brain fog, making the argument slightly overstated.

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