What are the side effects of drinking boost every day?

October 23, 2025 •

4 min read

While often marketed as a beneficial nutritional supplement, consuming Boost daily can lead to unintended health consequences, particularly if not under a doctor's supervision. According to the manufacturer, Boost nutritional drinks are intended to supplement a balanced diet, not replace it, with a general guideline of no more than two bottles per day. Understanding what are the side effects of drinking Boost every day is crucial for your overall health.

Quick Summary

Daily consumption of Boost nutritional drinks can cause digestive discomfort, unwanted weight gain due to high sugar and calorie content, and potential nutrient overload. More serious cardiovascular and neurological issues may arise if consuming caffeinated energy drinks mistakenly labeled as 'Boost'.

Key Points

Digestive Upset: Daily Boost intake can initially cause side effects like constipation, bloating, and diarrhea, though these often subside.
Risk of Weight Gain: Many Boost drinks are high in calories and sugar, which can lead to unintentional weight gain if consumed daily by those without a weight-gain goal.
High Sugar Impact: Regular intake of the sugar in Boost can lead to chronic blood sugar spikes and potentially increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Nutrient Overload: Over-supplementing with a daily nutritional drink can lead to an unhealthy excess of certain vitamins and minerals, some of which can be toxic at high levels.
Cardiovascular Risks (Energy Drinks): If confusing Boost with high-caffeine energy drinks, daily consumption can cause serious cardiovascular issues like irregular heartbeats and high blood pressure.
Best Used as a Supplement: Boost is designed to supplement, not replace, a balanced diet; medical consultation is advised for daily use.
Potential for Anxiety and Insomnia: High caffeine from energy drinks mistaken for Boost can trigger neurological symptoms like anxiety and restlessness, and disturb sleep patterns.

What Differentiates Nutritional Drinks from Energy Drinks?

Many people confuse the Nestlé brand nutritional drink, Boost, with generic energy drinks, which can have very different side effects. It's crucial to distinguish between the two based on their primary ingredients and intended use. Boost nutritional supplements are designed to provide extra calories and nutrients for individuals with inadequate intake, often due to medical conditions or poor appetite. In contrast, energy drinks typically rely on high levels of caffeine, sugar, and stimulants to provide a temporary jolt of energy, which can have a more pronounced impact on the heart and nervous system.

Gastrointestinal and Metabolic Side Effects of Daily Boost

Consistent, daily intake of nutritional supplements like Boost, especially without medical necessity, can lead to several gastrointestinal and metabolic issues. While often designed to be easily digestible, some individuals may still experience adverse effects.

Digestive Discomfort: Some people experience side effects like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and nausea when they first start drinking Boost regularly. While these issues often subside, daily consumption might prolong or exacerbate them for sensitive individuals.
Weight Gain: Many Boost products are calorie-dense to assist with weight gain or maintenance for people struggling with malnutrition. However, for a healthy adult, adding 240 or more calories per day from a Boost drink can lead to unwanted weight gain over time, especially if not counterbalanced by physical activity.
High Sugar Content: A single Boost Original drink contains a significant amount of sugar. This can cause regular blood sugar spikes, which over time can contribute to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, particularly for those who are already at risk.
Nutrient Overload: While Boost provides many essential vitamins and minerals, excessively supplementing a balanced diet can lead to nutrient overload. Over-consuming certain fat-soluble vitamins, like A and E, can be dangerous as they accumulate in the body. For example, some products contain high levels of Vitamin K, which can interfere with blood-thinning medications like Warfarin.

The Dangers of Misidentified 'Boost' Energy Drinks

If someone mistakes an energy drink for a nutritional supplement, the daily side effects can be much more severe due to the stimulant content, primarily caffeine.

Cardiovascular Problems: The high levels of caffeine and other stimulants found in many energy drinks can significantly increase heart rate and blood pressure. This can lead to palpitations, irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), and in rare, serious cases, heart attacks or cardiac arrest.
Neurological Issues: Daily intake of high-caffeine energy drinks can result in anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and jitters. Chronic consumption can also contribute to headaches, anxiety disorders, and depression.
Dental Erosion: The low pH and high sugar content of many energy drinks can severely erode tooth enamel over time, increasing the risk of cavities and sensitivity.
Dehydration: High caffeine intake can have a diuretic effect, increasing urination and potentially leading to dehydration, especially if not accompanied by sufficient water intake.

Comparison Table: Nutritional Boost vs. High-Caffeine Energy Drink


Aspect	Boost (Nutritional Drink)	High-Caffeine Energy Drink
Primary Goal	To supplement a diet with calories, protein, and nutrients.	To provide a temporary spike in energy and alertness.
Main Concerns (Daily)	Weight gain, high sugar, digestive issues, nutrient overload.	Heart palpitations, high blood pressure, anxiety, sleep disruption.
Key Ingredients	Protein concentrate, milk, sugar, corn syrup, vitamins.	High caffeine, sugar/artificial sweeteners, taurine, guarana.
Cardiovascular Risk	Low risk for healthy adults; caution with pre-existing conditions.	High risk due to stimulant content; affects heart rate and pressure.
Digestive Impact	Mild issues like bloating or constipation are possible.	High sugar can cause diarrhea and metabolic issues.

Who Should Avoid Daily Boost?

While generally safe in moderation for most healthy adults, certain individuals should exercise caution or avoid daily Boost intake entirely unless advised by a healthcare professional.

Individuals with Controlled Calorie Intake: Those on specific diets for weight management or other health reasons should be mindful of the added calories from Boost.
People with Diabetes: The sugar content can affect blood sugar levels, making it a poor choice for daily intake without medical oversight.
People with Lactose Intolerance or Galactosemia: While many varieties are lactose-free, they are not suitable for individuals with galactosemia.
Individuals on Certain Medications: The high Vitamin K content in some formulas can interact with blood-thinning drugs.
Children and Adolescents: The high sugar content and supplement nature make daily nutritional drinks an unnecessary addition for most children with a balanced diet.

Conclusion

For most healthy individuals, drinking Boost every day is likely unnecessary and can introduce an excessive amount of calories and sugar into the diet, potentially leading to weight gain and blood sugar issues. The risk is magnified if one mistakenly consumes a high-caffeine energy drink daily, which can pose serious threats to cardiovascular and mental health. Nutritional drinks like Boost are best used as intended: a supplement for those with specific dietary needs, and their daily consumption should be discussed with a healthcare provider. Whole, unprocessed foods remain the best source of daily nutrition for a healthy body. For those seeking more energy, healthier alternatives like a balanced diet, proper hydration, and regular exercise are far more beneficial and sustainable.

For more detailed information on making informed dietary decisions, visit the Harvard Health Blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, drinking Boost every day can cause weight gain because many versions are high in calories and sugar. Unless you are specifically advised by a doctor to use it for weight gain, the extra calories can lead to weight increase.

Boost nutritional drinks, such as Boost Original, typically do not contain caffeine. However, confusion can arise with caffeinated 'energy drinks' also referred to as 'boosts', so it is essential to check the label for ingredients like caffeine, taurine, or guarana.

For most healthy people, it is generally not advisable to drink Boost every day. A balanced diet of whole foods is usually sufficient, and relying on daily nutritional drinks can lead to excessive calorie, sugar, and nutrient intake.

Common digestive side effects associated with regular consumption of Boost can include bloating, constipation, nausea, and diarrhea, particularly for new users.

Yes, some Boost products have high levels of Vitamin K, which can interfere with the effectiveness of blood-thinning medications such as Warfarin. You should consult a doctor before starting daily intake if you are on medication.

According to the manufacturer, a general guideline for adults is up to two bottles of Boost Original per day to supplement a healthy diet. However, your specific needs should always be discussed with a healthcare provider.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children and teenagers should avoid energy drinks entirely due to potential heart and brain risks from caffeine. Boost nutritional drinks are also high in sugar and calories, making them generally unnecessary for children who have a healthy, balanced diet.