A Randomized Trial of Cardiovascular Responses to Energy Drink Consumption in Healthy Adults

Abstract

Author Contributions: Drs Sammon and Trinh had full access to all of the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

Energy Drinks and Their Impact on the Cardiovascular System: Potential Mechanisms

“…This controversial observation could be due to differences between the EDs in terms of the amounts of caffeine (;114 compared with 240 mg) and sugar (;39 compared with ;62 g) (i.e., 355 mL of a sugared Red Bull used in our study compared with 480 mL of a sugared Rockstar ED). However, taking into account that we observed a gradual blood pressure increase with peak responses between 80 and 100 min postconsumption (17), it is possible that peak blood pressure responses in the study by Svatikova et al (21) could not be reached within the 30-min measurement period. Thus, unless the assessment of cardiovascular responses to EDs is conducted over periods of $60 min, there is a high risk of 1) false-negative results and 2) the possibility of underestimating their real cardiovascular impact (39,40).…”

“…The potential importance of the volume of the ED ingested on the cardiovascular system may also be underscored by the observation that the increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressures in response to 355 mL of Red Bull in our study (17) were ;2 mm Hg less than those reported in the study by Steinke et al (30) in response to 500 mL of an ED with a composition similar to that of Red Bull. This contention is further substantiated by findings from Svatikova et al (21) in which 480 mL of a Rockstar ED, containing 240 mg caffeine and ;62 g sugar, substantially elevated blood pressure 30 min after ingestion. Furthermore, Passmore et al (41), in their investigation in healthy male subjects of cardiovascular and renal effects of increasing oral doses of caffeine, observed a linear dose-response relation for systolic blood pressure, a finding that is in agreement with the aforementioned studies in which increasing volume loads, and therefore increasing amounts of caffeine, affected blood pressure.…”

“…In contrast to the aforementioned studies, a recent study that investigated cardiovascular responses to a 480-mL Rockstar ED (240 mg caffeine and ;62 g of sugar) observed significantly elevated blood pressure values 30 min after ingestion (21). This controversial observation could be due to differences between the EDs in terms of the amounts of caffeine (;114 compared with 240 mg) and sugar (;39 compared with ;62 g) (i.e., 355 mL of a sugared Red Bull used in our study compared with 480 mL of a sugared Rockstar ED).…”

“…In agreement with the findings of our study (19) on the predominantly myocardial effects of sugar-sweetened EDs are the following: 1) a report that the consumption of a sugarsweetened Monster ED (Monster Beverage; 2.0 mg caffeine/kg and 0.65 g sugar/kg) significantly elevated heart rate after 60 min compared with the placebo control (20), 2) a study in which blood pressure and heart rate responses to a sugarsweetened ED (Rockstar, Rockstar, Inc.; 240 mg caffeine and ;62 g sugar) resulted in significantly elevated blood pressure values (systolic blood pressure: +6.6 mm Hg; diastolic blood pressure: +4.2 mm Hg) compared with a sugarmatched placebo (21), and 3) findings from current studies evaluating the impact of sugar-free caffeinated energy shots [5-h Energy; 200 mg and 215 mg caffeine] on cardiovascular variables that showed that blood pressure variables significantly increased whereas heart rate did not change (22,23). Moreover, repeated intakes of an ED [8.3 oz of a Red Bull ED (Red Bull GmbH) 4 times over 24 h; 1 oz = 30 mL] increased blood pressure variables when compared with a water drink with equivalent amounts of caffeine (8 oz water with 80 mg caffeine) (24).…”

Adverse effects of caffeinated energy drinks among youth and young adults in Canada: a Web-based survey

“…For example, trials have shown acute cardiovascular effects of energy drinks, particularly among those at higher risk for such events. 17,18 Case reports have linked energy drink consumption with serious adverse events, such as stroke, 19 seizures [20][21][22] and serious cardiac effects. [23][24][25][26][27] Data from emergency department visits have also identified adverse outcomes associated with energy drinks.…”