The Energy Drink Crash Effect Explained

The term “crash” used in 5-Hour Energy advertising to describe what happens after drinking a canned energy drink containing sugar refers to a reduction in energy levels below baseline as a result of sugar. Baseline energy levels are those present immediately before ingestion of an energy drink. These are graphs taken from a clinical trial studying the effects of 5-Hour Energy shots and two competing energy drinks.

5-Hour Energy contains no sugar but the competing drinks studied did. Those consuming the competing drinks containing sugar experienced a much higher rate of reduction in energy levels below baseline (i.e. below the level present immediately before the drink was consumed). Sugar in the range of 20mg or more per serving can induce elevation in blood glucose levels. Elevated blood glucose levels can, in turn, increase insulin production. Insulin suppresses blood glucose levels and may produce a “crash” effect, which is a reduction in energy levels below baseline.