Every single time we go grocery shopping, we’ve never realized or bothered to look at what we are putting inside our bodies. Even though you might believe it’s pointless, or a waste of time, it could actually end up saving your life. Isn’t everything in the store safe to eat and drink? But unfortunately it’s totally the opposite. Not everything is meant to be consumed by everyone.
On October 20, 2025 in Weslaco, Texas, 17 year old Larissa Nicole Rodriguez passed away from an enlarged heart resulting from drinking numerous Alani energy drinks daily. Larissa attended Weslaco High School as a high school senior, and was loved by many people. She was involved in cheerleading, National Honor Society, and a student council president.
One Alani energy drink contains 200 milligrams (mg) of caffeine, which is over the recommended limit for the ages of 12 to 17. Less than 100 milligrams of caffeine is the amount these ages should consume per day. Alani energy drinks are only for adults, ages 18 or up. On the label, it specifically says that it is not suggested for children, pregnant women, and etc.
Larissa’s mother, Jennifer Rodriguez, said, “There’s nothing on there that says, hey if you drink this you’re gonna be over stimulating your heart.”
Before, Larissa was completely healthy with no family history of heart conditions or any related to the heart. There was no alcohol at all found inside her body when the medical examiner tested, but instead caffeine.
Alani Nu and Texas distributor Glazer’s Beer and Beverage LLC has a lawsuit filed against them by Larissa’s parents in Hidalgo County District Court on April 8, 2026. The parents are seeking $1 million dollars and allegedly believe their daughter’s death was caused by Alani energy drinks.
Benny Agosto Jr, the family’s attorney said, ¨It’s not that she drank five one day and just died. It wasn’t like that. It was because, as you can see, she was a popular person, enjoyed the taste of it, enjoyed drinking it. It’s part of the social aspect of being a teenager. ¨
