Energy Drinks in the Middle School

2/5/2026

Working in a Middle School, we are often exposed to the newest TikTok trends, fashion choices, and things that are seemingly decided as “cool” for an entire generation. One of the latest of these “cool trends” is Alani drinks. If you haven’t heard of them, they are an energy drink that boasts different flavors, appealing cans, and are part of many TikTok challenges. But, what they are at their core is an energy drink that actually prints on their can “not recommended for children”.

Energy drinks are beverages that often contain high levels of caffeine, sugar, and stimulants such as guarana and taurine. While marketed to boost alertness and energy, they can pose health risks—especially for children and young adolescents.

Why We Are Concerned

Students are bringing energy drinks, such as Alani, and sharing those with their friends
Up to 30–50% of adolescents report drinking energy drinks at some point.
Research indicates that young people who consume energy drinks tend to report higher anxiety levels and lower overall well-being compared with peers who do not consume them.
Research indicates that middle school children who consume energy drinks may be significantly more likely to exhibit hyperactivity and inattention compared with peers who do not.
National surveys have found that teens often use energy drinks to compensate for lack of sleep or for a boost during sports and school activities, rather than addressing underlying health or lifestyle factors.

Potential Health Effects

Energy drinks can contribute to:

Sleep disturbances and insomnia
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Anxiety, jitteriness, and mood changes
Difficulty with concentration and school performance

These effects are linked to high caffeine doses and other stimulants common in these beverages. Health experts generally advise that children should avoid energy drinks due to these risks.

Recommendations for Families

Limit or eliminate access to energy drinks at home.
Encourage healthier alternatives such as water, herbal beverages, fruits, and balanced meals.
Promote good sleep habits—adequate rest is one of the most effective ways to maintain energy throughout the day.
Discuss appropriate boundaries—while energy drinks may be okay in your home, explain why this isn’t a drink that your child should share with other children without parental permission.
Model healthy beverage choices and talk with your child about how energy drinks differ from water and other safe options.

Our Role as a Middle School

As a school team, we are:

Providing education about healthy lifestyle choices, including the risks of energy drink consumption to students during advisory.
Eliminating the usage of energy drinks and remaining a water-only building. Energy drinks, and all other drinks that are not water, must be thrown away once they enter the building.
Encouraging students to ask questions and make informed decisions with their parents.
Partnering with families to support students’ overall well-being.

*The Middle School Outside Food Policy has been updated in the Middle School Supplement Handbook. Please refer to page 10 to review it.

Back

Trinity School of Midland

3500 West Wadley Avenue, Midland Texas 79707 - Email: info@trinitymidland.org - Phone: (432) 697-3281 - Fax: (432) 697-7403 -