Effect of Red Bull energy drink on cardiovascular and renal function

Abstract

Energy drink consumption has been anecdotally linked to the development of adverse cardiovascular effects in consumers, although clinical trials to support this link are lacking. The effects of Red Bull energy drink on cardiovascular and neurologic functions were examined in college-aged students enrolled at Winona State University. In a double-blind experiment where normal calorie and low calorie Red Bull were compared to normal and low calorie placebos, no changes in overall cardiovascular function nor blood glucose (mg/dL) were recorded in any participant (n = 68) throughout a 2-h test period. However, in the second experiment, nine male and twelve female participants subjected to a cold pressor test (CPT) before and after Red Bull consumption showed a significant increase in blood sugar levels pre- and post Red Bull consumption. There was a significant increase in diastolic blood pressure of the male volunteers immediately after submersion of the hand in the 5 degrees C water for the CPT. Under the influence of Red Bull, the increase in diastolic pressure for the male participants during the CPT was negated. There were no significant changes in the blood pressure of the female participants for the CPT with or without Red Bull. Finally, the CPT was used to evaluate pain threshold and pain tolerance before and after Red Bull consumption. Red Bull consumption was associated with a significant increase in pain tolerance in all participants. These findings suggest that Red Bull consumption ameliorates changes in blood pressure during stressful experiences and increases the participants' pain tolerance.

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

“…Differential acute cardiovascular responses across the various studies could also result from differences in the volume of the ED ingested, thereby reflecting differences in the water load, as well as in the amount of active ingredients consumed (Table 2). Indeed, the 30% lesser volume of the EDs used in the study by Ragsdale et al (31) and Hajsadeghi et al (38) than that used in our study (250 compared with 355 mL) could have contributed to the lack of a significant increase in blood pressure measured over 120 min. Furthermore, although in the study by Worthley et al (32) 250 mL of a sugar-free ED was found to elevate mean blood pressure at 60 min postconsumption, the increase in mean blood pressure (;3.5 mm Hg) was less than that observed at the same time point in our study with 355 mL of Red Bull (;5 mm Hg at 60 min postconsumption) (17).…”

“…Similarly, by using a mercury sphygmomanometer to assess blood pressure variables, Hajsadeghi et al (38) investigated the cardiovascular impact of 250 mL of an ED in young healthy subjects and showed no significant changes in blood pressure at 30 min and at 120 min postconsumption. In light of our findings that both systolic and diastolic blood pressures peak at 80-100 min postconsumption, one cannot disregard the possibility that an increase in blood pressure at 60 min postconsumption of the ED in the study by Ragsdale et al (31) and at 120 min postconsumption in the study by Hajsadeghi et al (38) may have been detected as a significant increase if blood pressure had been measured continuously over the 120-min test period.…”

“…It is possible that such infrequent measurements may lack the degree of accuracy required to detect significant, modest changes in blood pressure. For example, in a double-blind experiment, Ragsdale et al (31) randomly assigned 68 participants to consume either 250 mL of an ED or a control drink, but they reported no changes in blood pressure over a 120-min postconsumption period with blood pressure assessed by arm cuff only at 0, 60, and 120 min postconsumption. Similarly, by using a mercury sphygmomanometer to assess blood pressure variables, Hajsadeghi et al (38) investigated the cardiovascular impact of 250 mL of an ED in young healthy subjects and showed no significant changes in blood pressure at 30 min and at 120 min postconsumption.…”

Energy Drink Consumption : Beneficial and Adverse Health Effects

“…(22) Acute caffeine intake decreases insulin sensitivity, (23) which could explain the rise in blood glucose levels after energy drink consumption documented in some studies. (24) Beaudoin et al demonstrated that caffeine intake reduces insulin sensitivity in a dose dependent manner, with 5.8% increase in insulin for each mg/kg increase in caffeine. (25) A case has been reported of a woman that presented with jaundice, abdominal pain and highly elevated liver enzymes following energy drink overconsumption.…”

Efectos de las bebidas con cafeína en la calidad de sueño en alumnos de Medicina en Puebla.

“…Sobre la actividad cardiovascular, en una prueba de estrés por agua caliente, aminora los cambios en la presión sanguínea e incrementa la tolerancia al dolor (Ragsdale, Gronli, Batool, Haight, Mehaffey, McMahon, Nalli, Mannello, Sell, McCann, Kastello, Hooks y Wilson, 2010).…”