Mixing energy drinks and alcohol could be a dangerous concoction

Combining caffeinated energy drinks such as Monster or Red Bull with alcohol could be more dangerous than consuming either separately, according to a recent study conducted by Dennis Thombs, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Science. In Thombs’ research, bar patrons near a college campus were asked a series of questions after exiting several establishments, and their breath alcohol level was tested.

Bar patrons who reported consuming energy drinks mixed with alcohol were three times more likely to exceed the legal limit for driving and four times more likely to intend to drive a vehicle after leaving a bar. Furthermore, analysis indicated that patrons who consumed alcohol mixed with energy drinks, on average, exited a bar later in the evening, engaged in drinking for a longer period of time, consumed more total drinks and more grams of ethanol, compared to patrons who did not consume energy dinks that night or who consumed energy drinks and alcohol at different times in the same night (not mixed together).

Thombs and his findings were part of a segment televised on Canadian TV’s investigative program "16:9" this weekend.

Recent News

Img 0143
  • Community
|Jun 23, 2025

TCOM’s Dr. David Mason and Dr. Sajid Surve elected to the American Academy of Osteopathy Board of Governors

Two of the 12 newly elected board of governors of the American Academy of Osteopathy are from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. David Mason, DO, MBA, CPPS, FACOFP, and Sajid Surve, DO, FAOCPMR, FAAO, were both elected to s...
Siddarth Vyas
  • Community
|Jun 18, 2025

From finance to medicine: UNTHSC graduate charts bold new course

Siddarth Vyas was working as a corporate financial analyst when he decided to shift his focus — and his future — toward health care. This transition started with “significant reflection” and a long journey that included volunteering, shadowing and completing the prerequisite courses f...
Image
  • Our People
|Jun 18, 2025

Changing the flight plan: UNTHSC student redirects from aviation to health care

Taylor Harden was in a high-flying profession when she decided to reroute to a new destination. Her successful landing into health care moved her from an exciting career in aviation and travel into the business of healing and improving the lives of others. Harden recently completed the online Bac...
Eun-Young Mun
  • Our People
|Jun 16, 2025

Dr. Eun-Young Mun receives national award for advancing prevention science

  Eun-Young Mun, Ph.D., a regents professor and associate dean for Research and Innovation at The University of North Texas Health Science Center of Fort Worth’s College of Public Health, has received the Nan Tobler Award at the 33rd annual meeting of the Society for Prevention Researc...