Background Energy drinks have been linked to an increase in emergency room visits and deaths. We aim to determine the impact of energy drinks on electrocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters in young healthy volunteers. Methods and Results A randomized, double‐masked, placebo‐controlled, crossover study was conducted in healthy volunteers. Participants consumed 32 oz of either energy drink A, energy drink B, or placebo within 60 minutes on 3 study days with a 6‐day washout period in between. The primary end point of QT c interval and secondary end points of QT interval, PR interval, QRS duration, heart rate, and brachial and central blood pressures were measured at baseline, and every 30 minutes for 240 minutes. A repeated‐measures 2‐way analysis of variance was performed with the main effects of intervention, time, and an interaction of intervention and time. Thirty‐four participants were included (age 22.1±3.0 years). The interaction term of intervention and time was statistically significant for Bazett's corrected QT interval, Fridericia's corrected QT interval, QT , PR , QRS duration, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, central systolic blood pressure, and central diastolic blood pressure (all P <0.001). The maximum change from baseline in Bazett's corrected QT interval for drinks A, B, and placebo were +17.9±13.9, +19.6±15.8, and +11.9±11.1 ms, respectively ( P =0.005 for ANOVA ) ( P =0.04 and <0.01, respectively compared with placebo). Peripheral and central systolic and diastolic blood pressure were statistically significantly different compared with placebo (all P <0.001). Conclusion Energy drinks significantly prolong the QT c interval and raise blood pressure. Clinical Trial Registration URL : http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT 03196908.

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Our study findings support the feasibility of this initiative as well as produced significant outcomes in terms of quantified research productivity and student mentoring.

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O n December 30, 2003, the US Food and Drug Administration alerted consumers and manufacturers that ephedra-containing substances were no longer considered safe and would be banned in the next 60 days. 1 Ephedracontaining substances have been used to promote weight loss and enhance athletic performance but have been associated with numerous reports of arrhythmic events, sudden death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. 2,3 Several companies have responded to the public's concerns regarding the safety of ephedra by offering new "ephedra-free" formulations such as Xenadrine EFX. These formulations typically contain an ephedra-like alkaloid, synephrine (phenylephrine), and large quantities of caffeine, as well as many other ingredients. Some of these compounds have pronounced sympathomimetic effects similar to ephedra. 4 Although the adverse effects of ephedra ingestion have been well documented, to our knowl