MIAMI // A coffee, a caffeinated soda and an energy drink proved a deadly combination for an American teenager who died within two hours of consuming them.
The death of Davis Allen Cripe, on April 26, triggered warnings from health experts of the risks of overdose and consuming caffeine too quickly.
Cripe died of a “caffeine-induced cardiac event causing a probable arrhythmia,” a coroner’s office in South Carolina said in a statement.
Two hours before he collapsed, Cripe drank a cafe latte, a large Diet Mountain Dew and an energy drink.
Richland County coroner Gary Watts said such occurrences are “highly unusual”.
"It was mainly due to the time period that he ingested a rapid amount of caffeine that affected his heart," Mr Watts told The Post and Courier, adding that Cripe had collapsed just 15 minutes after taking the energy drink.
The US Food and Drug Administration recommends that adults consume no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day, which is equivalent to four or five cups of coffee.
“While adults should be mindful of their caffeine consumption, it’s important for parents to know the risks of children and adolescents consuming caffeine,” Jill Michels of the Palmetto Poison Center said.
“Take the time to talk with your children about the dangers of caffeinated drinks.”
The boy’s father on Monday said his son was very careful about drugs and alcohol.
“It wasn’t a car crash that took his life. Instead, it was an energy drink,” Sean Cripe said.
While energy drinks account for just a small segment of the non-alcoholic beverages industry, they are very popular with young people.
Health experts have expressed concern about the drinks’ high caffeine content, which can cause arrhythmia and raise blood pressure in young people.
Energy drinks can contain up to 240 milligrams of caffeine, according to a 2012 Consumer Reports study.
* Agence France-Presse
