Lawsuit Alleges Popular Energy Drink Led to Teen’s Fatal Heart Condition
Courtesy of Alani Website
The family of a 17-year-old Texas cheerleader has filed a lawsuit against a distributor of popular energy drink Alani Nu, alleging the teenager died from an enlarged heart caused by ingesting large amounts of caffeine.
Larissa Nicole Rodriguez, a high school student in Weslaco, Texas, died in October 2025. Her family is suing Glazer’s Beer and Beverage and Glazer’s Beer and Beverage of Texas, a distributor of Alani Nu energy drinks
According to Benny Agosto Jr, the family’s attorney, Rodriguez drank Alani Nu energy drinks often, and they
“Ingesting high amounts of caffeine can be dangerous due to the physiological responses, such as increased heart rate—caffeine doesn’t just increase our energy, it affects our body system as a whole,” said Professor Deanna Edwards, professor of Health Education and Kinesiology at Hampton University
In a press conference, the family’s attorney, Benny Agosto Jr., said it was suing the distributor of the drink Rodriguez drank often 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,” according to USA Today.
The wrongful death suit, which was filed in Hidalgo County District Court, alleges there were inadequate warnings about the cardiac risks and seeks more than $1 million in damages.
According to the lawsuit, Rodriguez had no pre-existing heart conditions or heart-related problems.
“The situation is two fold, because while the drink company has a responsibility to provide warning labels on the can, and as a parent you assume the responsibility as well if you were supplying her the money to buy the drinks,” Professor Edwards continued.
Glazer’s Beer and Beverage has a distribution network that extends beyond Texas to Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that adults consume no more than 400mg of caffeine a day. 400mg roughly equates to four 8oz cups of brewed coffee or 6-8 shots of expresso. At Starbucks, 400mg amounts to two grandes, which are 16 oz cups.
“Personally, I only drink coffee every other week, because I started drinking chai tea as an alternative. [Hearing this story] does make me more conscious of how much caffeine I consume,” said first-year psychology major, Samarah Weaver
Alani Nu energy drinks have labeling informing consumers that drinks are 12oz with 200mg of caffeine. Per FDA standards one or two cans a day is the maximum recommended consumption for an adult.
The FDA says that, “Too much caffeine in children and teens can cause increased heart rate, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, anxiety, and lead to sleep problems, digestive problems and dehydration.”
Signs of too much caffeine may include increased heart rate, insomnia, jitters, and headaches. Don’t ignore the signs. Take breaks regularly and incorporate healthier caffeinated options such as green tea and matcha into habit. High amounts of caffeine can also cause heart palpitations, high blood pressure, anxiety, nausea.
