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

Abstract

Globally, the popularity of energy drinks is steadily increasing. Scientific interest in their effects on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems in humans is also expanding and with it comes a growing number of case reports of adverse events associated with energy drinks. The vast majority of studies carried out in the general population report effects on blood pressure and heart rate. However, inconsistencies in the current literature render it difficult to draw firm conclusions with regard to the effects of energy drinks on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular variables. These inconsistencies are due, in part, to differences in methodologies, volume of drink ingested, and duration of postconsumption measurements, as well as subject variables during the test. Recent well-controlled, randomized crossover studies that used continuous beat-to-beat measurements provide evidence that cardiovascular responses to the ingestion of energy drinks are best explained by the actions of caffeine and sugar, with little influence from other ingredients. However, a role for other active constituents, such as taurine and glucuronolactone, cannot be ruled out. This article reviews the potentially adverse hemodynamic effects of energy drinks, particularly on blood pressure and heart rate, and discusses the mechanisms by which their active ingredients may interact to adversely affect the cardiovascular system. Research areas and gaps in the literature are discussed with particular reference to the use of energy drinks among high-risk individuals. Adv Nutr 2016;7:950-60.

Prevalence and Perceived benefits of energy drink Consumption in medical students

“…5 Some of the reported toxic effects of caffeine drinks are increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, cardiac seizures associated with tachycardia and systolic hypertension & severe dehydration. 9 In our survey, 91 students said that their families approved of their consuming these drinks. The Responsibility lies in Parents, educators, and health professionals to discourage the use of energy drinks.…”

“…6 Energy drink consumption decreases insulin sensitivity 8 and raises mean arterial blood pressure. 9 High consumption of caffeine-containing energy drinks is found to be associated with chronic daily headaches 10 , neural, gastrointestinal, renal and cardiovascular dysfunctions. 11 It suggests that there is some association between the cognition-regulatory effects of caffeine and glucose when used in unison.…”

Assessment of Antioxidant Properties of Classic Energy Drinks in Comparison with Fruit Energy Drinks

“…EDs contain large amounts of sugar (mainly saccharose), which could contribute to overweight and obesity. Furthermore, excessive consumption of EDs may be associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, due to the synergistic effect of glucose and caffeine [12,13]. Previous studies showed that consumption of energy drinks (EDs) rich in caffeine and sugar may have an adverse effect on human health, mainly by raising arterial blood pressure and blood glucose level; in the long-term, it increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes [8,[44][45][46].…”

“…Moderate caffeine intake should also not affect bone mineral density (BMD) [11]. Furthermore, excessive consumption of energy drinks due to the interaction of caffeine and sugar causes adverse changes in cardiovascular system [12,13].…”

Heart damage vs liver damage due to energy drinks consumption in Holtzman rats

“…El consumo de BE produce numerosos efectos adversos: elevan el riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares, gastrointestinales, neurológicas, renales y endocrinas. Entre los principales órganos afectados se encuentran el corazón e hígado (1,5,6,7).…”