Founded by billionaire philanthropist Carl DeSantis back in April of 2004, Celsius, a popular beverage company, has taken the Western market by storm by advertising their product as the “magic bullet” of energy drinks, providing a “healthier” alternative to traditional energy drinks by including no artificial products.

In today’s day and age, it has become apparent that there is an increasing number of health-conscious people worldwide. Celsius is a drink that resonates well with this growth, as the brand markets itself as a healthier alternative to traditional energy drinks by being free of artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, and sweeteners. The carbonated beverage claims several health benefits such as boosting one’s metabolism, promoting weight loss, and containing essential energy one’s body needs. 

Although there is no actual proof of these claims being factual, and several sources have attempted to debunk the claims, doing so has made little-to-no-difference in deterring people, particularly teens – and students at West Chicago Community High School – from enjoying the beverage. 

The drink has also been well received by the fitness community, averaging a reported annual revenue of $653.60 million in sales as of 2022, effectively turning the small business into a 12.35 billion-dollar company.

“You also must know your customer,” CEO, John Fieldly said in an interview earlier this past year with the Investor’s Business Daily.

After outsourcing distribution to PepsiCo in 2022, Celsius experienced mainstream success.  The athletic beverage has seen rising in popularity as local businesses and supermarkets  stock their shelves with the trendy product. 

Although stock percentages and yearly annual income rates have skyrocketed over the past decade, some individuals report mixed reviews regarding taste and effectiveness of what is being advertised by the company. Some claim that the beverage has greatly improved and benefited their life. 

“I’ve had it quite a bit, and it certainly gives you what it should. It’s supposed to be cleaner than all the other ones,” sophomore Andrew Ruszczak said.

Other consumers argue that the information provided on the can is a marketing scandal, and a waste of money.

“I don’t like it, it tastes like the metallic part of the can. There’s no flavor to it, and it’s overrated,” sophomore Mattew Gomez said.

Taste and health benefits aside, the drink may pose potential risk for the consumer. The average recommended dose of caffeine per day for teenagers is no more than 100 milligrams for, and Celsius contains 200 milligrams per 12 oz. can: many students report drinking 1-2 of these beverages a day, and exceeding their daily caffeine intake can lead to health problems further in life. 

Yet, the beverage’s popularity with Gen Z is notable, and perhaps due to Celsius’ large array of fun-sounding and tasting flavors such as Fantasy Vibe, Oasis Vibe, or Sparkling Watermelon, all names and tastes a younger audience gravitates toward. 

For most adolescents, social media tends to strongly influence pathways that can create negative effects to one’s well-being. Celsius, being a trending beverage, and one that is heavily represented on social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter) is a prime example of something that can damage its impressionable young audience.

Another key detail that is not talked about Celsius is the expensive price of the product itself. Celsius on average costs $2.50 per can, and $24 when purchased in bulk. If one were to consume such a product on a daily basis, it would equal out to about $700 yearly, with bulk pricing. The average Illinois teen earns just $15.83 an hour. Needless to say, Celsius is not likely to provide financial stability for its young consumers, nor is it likely to provide those perceived health benefits when abused by an uneducated Gen Z audience.

“For most healthy individuals (healthy adults, not kids), Celsius is likely okay in moderation,” Registered Dietitian Jamie Neven said in an article earlier this past year.