Celsius causes brain fog

Question

Celsius and other caffeinated drinks can lead to brain fog and fatigue.

Comments

The article you linked was really good it discusses how caffeine, including drinks like Celsius, can contribute to brain fog and fatigue the article highlights the Euphoria you feel when you drink caffeine and how It gives an initial boost in energy and focus, but it has many negative side effects like shakes, headaches, fatigue, migraines, etc. But one thing to also consider besides the caffeine aspect of it is how much other additives are in Celsius and how that also affects the brain

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I definitely can see why not just Celsius but all other caffeine drinks can cause brain fog because it gives you energy and then if you have them every day you become reliant on them to give you energy. I liked the source you provided as well because of the information and evidence it gave. I also found another source which backed up the claim.

Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.668514/full

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The website used to support this claim is not the best. While the source used supports the idea that caffeine can induce brain fog, there is no mention at all of energy drinks or the Celsius brand. Looking to more reliable websites that actually focus on the Celcius energy drinks, like https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10535526/ and https://olhscurrent.org/24637/opinion/the-adverse-effects-of-those-who-drink-celsius/ the information does seem to support the idea that the drink may cause brain fog. A dietician at Healthnews claims that 300mg of caffeine creates a pressing risk of neurological side effects. Because each can of Celsius contains 200mg of caffeine, consuming one or two cans a day can have serious adverse effects on brain health. The National Library of Medicine also claims that energy drinks "show a significant prevalence of adverse effects, particularly on the cardiovascular and neurovegetative systems." With the support of these two sources, this claim seems to be truthful, however, they did not provide grounds such as these when making the claim, thus making it much less effective.

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The resource link to the Livestrong.com article that the student provided has a lot of scientific information and links to trusted clinics and health organizations to support the statements made in the article. There are many proven statements that back up the claim that caffeinated drinks can lead to brain fog and fatigue, as well as much more helpful information like how to reduce brain fog and other effects from caffeine. I decided also to do my own research and found a simple statement from the National Library of Medicine: “It is noted that caffeine can affect the attention system.” Brain fog is a part of the attention system. The student’s statement is reliable.

Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3198027/

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Although a lot of caffeine induced drinks and caffeine in general can cause brain-fog, I think that the claim "celsius causes brain-fog" is a bit dramaticized. The article that was linked talked a lot about how caffeine can cause brian-fog but also never specifically named the brand Celsius.
https://olhscurrent.org/24637/opinion/the-adverse-effects-of-those-who-drink-celsius/
However, this website that I found stays more specific to the claim and talks about Celsius directly and how it might cause brain fog. Each can of celsius has about 300mg of caffeine and drinking multiple a day can definitely have side effects. In the original article it talks mainly about coffee and its side effects and symptoms of caffeine compared to a lot of energy drinks. But it does talk about how there a lot of the same ingredients used in both. Overall I think the claim that Celsius causes brain fog is slightly misleading, it does include caffeine which can cause brain-fog if ingested extremely frequently and at high amounts.

Answer 1

This article included many great points, and had a lot of great resources that were pretty up to date. Some aren't very recent which can cause a loss in credibility for the sources used. Although going into this article thinking it had to do with Celsius, there was nothing in this article about the specific brand or even energy drinks. It's very misleading. This is a source that could be used, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10535526/ , the information in this article is about energy drinks and their negative effects. This article is also from 2024, so it's credible and up to date. 

Answer 2

This article makes some misleading claims, especially when it suggests that caffeine directly causes brain fog because of dehydration and withdrawal. While it’s true that too much caffeine or suddenly stopping can have negative effects, the article ignores the fact that caffeine actually helps with focus and alertness. According to an NIH study, caffeine improves cognitive function and attention, making it more of a brain booster than a cause of fogginess. The article also exaggerates caffeine’s impact on dehydration, even though research shows that its diuretic effects are pretty mild for regular drinkers. By focusing mostly on the negatives and leaving out important context, the article gives an exaggerated and one-sided view of caffeine’s effects on the brain.

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

Answer 3

On the original claim, the LiveStrong.com article titled "Caffeine and Brain Fog" is referenced a primary source backing the claim the claim regarding the energy drink, Celsius's ability to cause brain fog. 

After opening the article in another browser, I noticed directly under the title, that its content reported to have been reviewed by Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes (Pfau), MS, RD, CSSD. With a quick google search, I was able to navigate to the "About" page of Rise Up Nutrition LLC, in which Cortes's the founder. On this page, she's credited to have a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from UMass Amherst, as well as a Master of Science in Sports Nutrition at Florida State University. The biography goes on to share that, "[for] 4 years [Cortes] also worked as the tactical dietitian for Air Force Special Operations and continues to support the US military through various contracts" (Rise Up Nutrition LLC). Therefore, given her previous experience in the field of Science and Nutrition, I feel comfortable that the information included in "Caffeine and Brain Fog" leans more towards accuracy than complete falsehood. 

However, after reading the provided LiveStrong.com article on News Detective, I found that its contents focuses primarily on the general effects of caffeine consumption in promoting brain fog, but never mentions the connection to brain fog and Celsius. Curious, I scrolled to the bottom of the piece to the reference section, containing 7 reputable sources such as the Journal of Human Dietetics and the American Psychological Association. However, when I opened all 7 references, and did a key word search for "Celsius," there were zero uses/references across the board. 

Finally, I took to Google and searched: "Does the energy drink Celsius cause brain fog?" and cross referenced two of the most reliable sources provided. In both Cleveland Clinic's "Are Energy Drinks Bad for You?" and an article from the NIH titled "Energy Drinks and the Neuropsychological Impact of Caffeine" the previous trend holds true. The general negative effects associated with both basic as well as overconsumption of energy drinks, but again, never mentions Celsius explicitly. 

Therefore, I believe instead that the following claim would be true: "Overconsumption of caffeinated beverages have been linked to brain fog." However, in reference to the original claim, I would definitely refer to it as exaggerated and/or misleading.   

Answer 4

This claim is misleading and exaggerated. While some people might feel jittery or experience a crash if they consume too much caffeine, that doesn’t mean Celsius directly causes brain fog. In fact, according to an NIH study, caffeine is actually linked to improved cognitive function, better attention, and increased alertness. Since Celsius contains caffeine, along with other ingredients like taurine and B vitamins, it’s more likely to enhance focus rather than cause mental fog. The idea that Celsius leads to brain fog might come from people who drink it in excess or rely on it too much for energy, which could lead to tolerance or withdrawal effects. However, that’s not the same as saying the drink itself causes brain fog. The article makes it seem like Celsius is a direct cause of mental fogginess, but it ignores the fact that moderate caffeine consumption generally helps with brain function rather than hurting it.

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

Answer 5

The source listed has provided much relevant factual information tying caffeine consumption to brain fogginess.  The headline claimed that Celsius specifically caused brain fog, and this statement is scientifically backed by that presentation of facts proclaiming that more caffeine caused brain fogginess.  Celcius contains 200mg of caffeine on average so we can make a confident connection between the claim and the facts.

Answer 6

The article for this claim has very understandable facts on why Celsius can cause brain fog. With that being said some ingredients in the Celsius energy drinks may cause cognitive symptoms in some people. At  200 mg of caffeine per can Celsius contains caffeine which can enhance alertness. Too much can cause anxiety, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating, also known as brain fog. Fluctuations in blood sugar levels from energy drinks have been linked to neuro inflammation, which can impair cognitive function. Even individual sensitivity to caffeine and other ingredients varies which means that not everyone will experience these effects. In conclusion there is no definitive proof that Celsius directly causes brain fog. Certain people react to different intakes of caffeine differently than others.

Link- https://www.celsius.com/essential-facts/

Link- https://neuropraxisrehab.com/how-energy-drinks-impact-brain-injury-recovery/#:~:text=Energy%20drinks%20can%20also%20impact,in%20a%20conversation%20or%20meeting.

Answer 7

This article claims that coffee and other caffeinated beverages can cause brain fog, chronic fatigue, and trouble sleeping. Although, caffeine has been proven to contribute to brain fog this claim seems a bit misleading considering that excess caffeine consumption is not the only factor that can lead to brain fog. Cleveland Clinic states that poor nutrition, stress, and even autoimmune conditions can also lead to brain fog. Caffeine is not solely responsible. 

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/brain-fog

This particular claim focuses more on Celsius energy drinks, which I know have been recalled in the past. In 2023 Canada recalled these drinks due to their amount of caffeine. "...these products do not meet Canada's food safety standards because of their caffeine levels" (DeAngelis). Although, Celsius drinks were not recalled in the United States, it is still important that we recognize the concerns that others are having about things that we are potentially consuming. 

https://www.eatingwell.com/celsius-energy-drinks-recalled-in-canada-caffeine-8411184

It is also important to note that everybody is going to handle caffeine differently. Some people can handle multiple caffeinated beverages per day and be completely fine, but some people may have a bad reaction after just a small amount. Celsius could be harmful to its consumers, but so could an excess amount of any other caffeinated beverage. The same goes for causes of brain fog. A large amount of caffeine has the potential to cause brain fog and other issues, but there is not a guarantee that it will. 

Answer 8

This article's research claims that people that consume high levels of caffeine can experience hallucinations and similar effects. They stated that, "Caffeine use can lead to caffeine-intoxication, symptoms of which are nervousness, irritability, anxiety, muscle-twitching, insomnia, headaches, palpitations (Jones and Fernyhough, 2009)". As we know energy drinks contain a large amount of caffeine so this evidence lines up with the claim.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3198027/

Answer 9

The article provided does not specifically mention Celsius, but instead discusses how caffeine consumption can contribute to brain fog and fatigue. While caffeine initially boosts energy and focus, it can also lead to side effects that might make some people feel more fatigued in the long run. These effects aren’t unique to a brand but are common with many caffeinated drinks, including energy drinks, coffee, and even tea.

One article I found on this topic explained that the benefits and risks of caffeine are directly related to the amount that you consume. Within moderation, caffeine can improve alertness and short-term memory. It truly depends on each individual whether caffeine will improve or impair their life.

It is also important to consider that brain fog and fatigue don't just come from caffeine but also from the other ingredients typically found in energy drinks. Certain artificial sweeteners, as well as preservatives used in sugar-free or low-calorie drinks, have been linked to problems in gut health, which can impact cognitive function or mental clarity and negatively impact moods.

Additionally, stimulants used in energy drinks can compound the effects of caffeine, leading to a crash. High doses of these stimulants can contribute to feelings of irritability, exhaustion, and brain fog. Dehydration is also an important factor when it comes to considering the impacts of brain fog. Opting for drinks with fewer additives and staying properly hydrated can help improve mental clarity and overall well-being.

https://www.endeavorhealth.org/articles/caffeine-brain-health

Answer 10

Caffeine affects some people differently and their bodies break it down in different speeds. The type of caffeine being ingested also makes a difference. The statement that celcius and caffeine lead to brain fog and fatigue is misleading for these reasons in addition to the fact that "brain fog" is not an exact medical term which makes it an issue in diagnosis. There are researched downsides to caffeine but not all include those two symptoms. Caffeine impacts our nervous system and cortisol which could be a problem for individuals with anxiety, panic disorders, or attention disorders because it can induce their symptoms or make it harder for them to focus, but for others they may not have these problems when indulging in caffeine. There are many factors to take into consideration when discussing this topic, which is why it is misleading to make that statement as a generalization.

reference : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3198027/