The family of a 17-year-old Texas cheerleader has filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging that a popular energy drink caused her death. The suit claims that the ingestion of large amounts of caffeine from Alani Nu products led to an enlarged heart, resulting in the death of Larissa Nicole Rodriguez, a college-bound student from Welasco, Texas, in October.
The lawsuit, filed in Hidalgo County District Court, seeks more than $1 million in damages. According to Benny Agosto Jr., the attorney representing the family, the Hidalgo County medical examiner determined the cause of death was an enlarged heart resulting from stress and high levels of caffeine. This Texas teen’s death linked to caffeine in Alani Nu energy drink highlights growing concerns over the marketing of high-stimulant beverages to minors.
Rodriguez was an active student, a cheerleader and a tennis player with no prior history of heart conditions. Agosto stated that toxicology reports were negative for alcohol and other drugs, concluding that caffeine was the only substance present in her system. The family alleges that the product lacked sufficient warnings regarding the cardiac risks associated with high caffeine intake, particularly for adolescents.
The Role of Social Media and Wellness Marketing
A central component of the family’s allegation is the way Alani Nu is marketed. Agosto explained that Rodriguez was drawn to the drink through social media posts that framed the product as a “wellness” and “lifestyle” beverage rather than a high-stimulant energy drink. This perceived health image, combined with the influence of peers and digital creators, led the teenager to incorporate the drink into her daily routine.
The influence of the brand became deeply embedded in her social life. Agosto noted that Rodriguez eventually began posting about the product in a manner similar to social media influencers. In one instance, a homecoming invitation for the student featured an image of the drink with the message, “Hope you have the energy to go to homecoming with me.”
Over the final year of her life, Rodriguez began consuming at least one Alani Nu per day, often during school hours or athletic activities. The lawsuit argues that this targeted marketing to young women and minors created a false sense of safety, masking the potential dangers of the drink’s high caffeine concentration.
Caffeine Concentrations and Health Guidelines
The Alani Nu energy drink contains 200 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce can. This concentration is significantly higher than several other market competitors. For context, a standard 8.4-ounce can of Red Bull contains 80 mg, and a 17-ounce can of Monster contains 160 mg.
Medical and regulatory guidelines suggest that such levels may be excessive for adolescents. According to the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, the FDA recommends that children and teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 consume less than 100 mg of caffeine per day. A single can of Alani Nu provides double that recommended daily limit.
| Product | Serving Size | Caffeine Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alani Nu | 12 oz | 200 mg |
| Monster | 17 oz | 160 mg |
| Red Bull | 8.4 oz | 80 mg |
| FDA Teen Limit | Daily Max | < 100 mg |
Legal Targets and Corporate Response
The current lawsuit targets the distributors, Glazer’s Beer and Beverage and Glazer’s Beer and Beverage of Texas, rather than the manufacturer. Agosto stated that the distributors were targeted because they are responsible for the widespread placement of the product and, in the family’s view, failed to provide adequate warnings at the point of distribution. However, he indicated that as the discovery process continues, additional defendants—potentially including the parent company—may be added to the suit.
Alani Nu is owned by Celsius Inc., which acquired the brand in April 2025 for $1.8 billion. In a statement, Celsius expressed sadness over the loss and emphasized that their products comply with federal labeling requirements. The company noted that Alani Nu cans disclose the 200 mg caffeine content and explicitly state that the product is not recommended for children, pregnant women, or those sensitive to caffeine.
This is not the first time Alani Nu has faced regulatory scrutiny regarding its labeling. In 2023, the Government of Canada issued a recall for the product, citing non-compliance related to caffeine content and labeling issues.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal or medical advice.
The family’s primary goal, according to Agosto, is to implement industry-wide changes to protect other children from similar tragedies. The legal process is currently in the early stages, with the next phase focusing on the discovery of internal company communications and distribution practices. Further filings in the Hidalgo County District Court are expected as the family explores the addition of Celsius Inc. As a defendant.
We invite readers to share their perspectives on energy drink regulations and adolescent health in the comments below.
