A 28-year-old teacher from Florida, Katie Donnell, tragically passed away due to a heart attack caused by her addiction to energy drinks. Described as a “workout queen,” Donnell consumed up to three energy drinks a day, in addition to coffee and caffeine supplements to boost her gym sessions. Her mother, Lori Barranon, blames the beverages for her daughter’s untimely death, highlighting their harmful and potentially deadly effects.
In August 2021, Donnell collapsed during a gathering with friends, ultimately suffering a heart attack. Despite being placed in a medically induced coma, her condition deteriorated, leading her family to make the difficult decision to remove life support after ten days. Barranon expressed shock at the extent of her daughter’s energy drink consumption, revealing that she would regularly buy multiple cans and always have one in hand.
The excessive intake of caffeine, a common ingredient in energy drinks, can impact the heart by elevating blood pressure and potentially causing arrhythmia. Although the specific brand of energy drink Donnell consumed was not disclosed, some can contain up to 200 mg of caffeine per serving. The Mayo Clinic advises that up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is considered safe, but Barranon believes her daughter’s health issues, including severe anxiety, were directly linked to her excessive caffeine consumption.
Barranon is now advocating for awareness of the dangers associated with energy drinks and calls for their regulation or even prohibition to prevent others from experiencing the devastating loss she has endured.
“It is extremely detrimental and life-threatening, impacting my entire family. I urge parents to guide their children and monitor their actions. I thought I was immune,” she stated. “I caution everyone I encounter who consumes energy drinks about the immediate consequences it can have.” For more stories, subscribe to PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter for the latest updates on celebrity news and engaging human interest stories.
