Unusual Russia

Teen in Astrakhan Suffers Severe Health Damage After a Year of Daily Energy Drinks and Vaping

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A 19-year-old from Russia’s Astrakhan Region has been classified with a Category III disability after consuming energy drinks and using vapes every day for nearly a year. The teen reportedly drank three to four cans of energy drinks daily in hopes of boosting his chances of winning a luxury car in an online giveaway. Participants were encouraged to register as many receipts from energy drink purchases as possible.

Before this, the young man led an athletic lifestyle and had plans to apply to the FSB Academy in St. Petersburg. A routine medical checkup before the academic year showed no health issues. But during exam season, under high stress, he began using e-cigarettes and drinking energy drinks more frequently. After entering the contest, his consumption escalated to daily high doses.

Over time, his health quickly deteriorated. He experienced rapid weight loss and persistent fatigue. Medical tests revealed that his blood sugar had spiked to nearly four times the normal level — around 19 mmol/L instead of the standard 5–6. Doctors diagnosed him with type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes, along with severe dysfunction of the thyroid and pancreas, conditions that automatically qualified him for disability status.

According to physicians, a combination of chronic stress, irregular eating habits, and excessive use of energy drinks likely triggered a major breakdown in his body’s systems. Because of his diagnosis, the teen had to abandon his plans to enter the academy and stop all athletic training.

He is now learning to manage his condition by monitoring glucose levels, administering insulin, following a strict diet, and undergoing regular specialist checkups.

Unfortunately, this tragic story comes at a time when energy-drink consumption in Russia is growing rapidly. According to recent data, the share of Russians who drink energy drinks rose from 16.6% in 2013 to 22.8% in 2023. Sales of energy drinks in the country more than doubled between 2019 and 2023, from 498 million liters to 1,096 million liters. Experts warn that regular, excessive consumption of such drinks — especially among youth — can lead to serious health problems, including cardiovascular disorders, metabolic issues, and other chronic conditions. This case should serve as a stark warning about how dangerous the “energy-drink culture” is becoming in Russia, especially for vulnerable young people seeking quick energy boosts or social recognition.