Do energy drinks help patrons sober up?

Energy drinks do not help patrons sober up. The primary active ingredient in energy drinks is caffeine, which is a stimulant. While caffeine can temporarily increase alertness and may counteract some effects of alcohol intoxication, it does not reduce blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or the impairing effects of alcohol on the body. When a person consumes alcohol, their liver processes it at a constant rate, and no amount of caffeine or other substances can speed up this metabolic process.

Moreover, the combination of energy drinks and alcohol can potentially mask some of the signs of intoxication, leading individuals to underestimate their level of impairment. This can result in risky behaviors, such as driving under the influence, as individuals may feel more awake and alert than they actually are. Therefore, rather than sobering someone up, energy drinks can create a false sense of sobriety without mitigating the impacts of alcohol consumption.