Doctors issue chilling warning to anyone who has energy drinks after cheerleader's shock death

Doctors are sounding the alarm over energy drink consumption after a cheerleader tragically passed away.

Larissa Nicole Rodriguez, a high school student in Weslaco, Texas, sadly died in October 2025.

Hidalgo County medical examiner determined that the 17-year-old's cause of death "was an enlarged heart due to stress and large amounts of caffeine," NBC News reported.

Rodriguez's Family Files A Lawsuit

A lawsuit filed last week claims Rodriguez, who her family says had no pre-existing heart conditions or heart-related problems, drank "one or more Alani Nu Energy Drinks", which contain 200mg of caffeine per 12-fluid-ounce can in the US, in "the days leading up to" her death.

The Texas cheerleader's family has now launched a wrongful death lawsuit targeting a distributor of the popular beverage.

Per USA Today, the filing names Glazer’s Beer and Beverage and Glazer’s Beer and Beverage of Texas, a distributor of Alani Nu energy drinks. They are seeking $1 million in damages, per court records.

Speaking at a press conference, Benny Agosto Jr., the family's lawyer, said the distributor was being sued because they are "the ones that receive it, distribute it and put it all over the place, and they also fail to give any warnings." He also added that more defendants could be added to the lawsuit.

In addition to this, Agosto Jr. claimed that the beverage "had inadequate warnings about the serious cardiac risks that this product brings," and said that the teen began consuming them after being influenced by social media promoting their wellness and health benefits alongside an energy boost.

"First, she got into it because of social media and other social interaction with young people. At some point, she was enamored by it," he said.

Guidance from the Food and Drug Administration states that adults should not consume more than 400mg of caffeine a day, while excessive caffeine in children could cause "increased heart rate, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, anxiety, and lead to sleep problems."

Health Professionals Speak Out

Doctors say the dangers tied to heavy caffeine consumption can be severe, especially for younger people.

"If you consume very high amounts of caffeine, you can have an instant arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat, which can actually be life-threatening because your heart could actually stop pumping blood," Dr Jeremy Liff, a neurologist based in New York, told the Daily Mail.

Caffeine accelerates the heart’s rhythm, placing pressure on the organ and disrupting its electrical signals. This can lead to poor blood flow to vital organs and, in extreme cases, trigger a sudden heart attack, even in individuals without prior conditions.

"In the long term, drinking that much caffeine can cause you to have high blood pressure at an age which is way too young," Liff said.

He explained that caffeine stimulates adrenaline release, which blocks receptors responsible for keeping arteries open, raising blood pressure, and increasing strain on the heart.

"Those are extremely grave consequences that could happen immediately," Liff added.

Family Remembers Teen As Company Speaks Out

Rodriguez’s family described her as "full of life, full of love, smart, academic, and with a bright future," and said she enjoyed tennis and was an active cheerleader.

"Her life was cut short," the lawyer said at the news conference, surrounded by her loved ones and other relatives.

Celsius Inc., the company behind Alani Nu, said in a statement that it was "saddened by this loss," and that it takes "product safety seriously and believes consumers should have clear information about what they are drinking".

"Alani Nu energy drinks disclose 200mg of caffeine on the can, and the label states the product is not recommended for children, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant women, or women who are nursing.

"Our products comply with applicable federal labeling requirements, and our policy is not to market or sample to anyone under 18, consistent with those label warnings," they added.

Our thoughts are with Rodriguez's family and friends at this time.

Featured image credit: Salinas Funeral Home