Energy Drinks Induce Acute Cardiovascular and Metabolic Changes Pointing to Potential Risks for Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

BackgroundCase reports suggest a link between energy drinks (EDs) and adverse events, including deaths.ObjectivesWe examined cardiovascular and metabolic effects of EDs and mixtures providing relevant ingredients of EDs compared to a similarly composed control product (CP) without these components.MethodsThis randomized, crossover trial comprised 38 adults (19 women, mean BMI 23 kg/m2, mean age 22 y). We examined effects of a single administration of a commercial ED, the CP, and the CP supplemented with major ED-ingredients at the same concentrations as in the ED. The study products were administered at 2 volumes, 750 or 1000 mL.ResultsBoth volumes of the study products were acceptably tolerated with no dose-dependent effects on blood pressure (BP, primary outcome), heart rate, heart rate corrected duration of QT-segment in electrocardiography (QTc interval), and glucose metabolism. After ED consumption, 11% of the participants reported symptoms, in contrast to 0–3% caused by other study products. After 1 h, administration of an ED caused an increase in systolic BP (116.9 ± 10.4 to 120.7 ± 10.7 mmHg, mean ± SD, P < 0.01) and a QTc prolongation (393.3 ± 20.6 to 400.8 ± 24.1 ms, P < 0.01). Also caffeine, but not taurine or glucuronolactone, caused an increase in BP, but no QTc prolongation. The BP effects were most pronounced after 1 h and returned to normal after a few hours. All study products caused a decrease in serum glucose and an increase in insulin concentrations after 1 h compared to baseline values, corresponding to an elevation in the HOMA-IR (ED + 4.0, other products + 1.0–2.8, all P < 0.001).ConclusionA single high-volume intake of ED caused adverse changes in BP, QTc, and insulin sensitivity in young, healthy individuals. These effects of EDs cannot be easily attributed to the single components caffeine, taurine, or glucuronolactone. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01421979.

Red Bull Increases Heart Rate at Near Sea Level and Pulmonary Shunt Fraction at High Altitude in a Porcine Model

“…The increased heart rate after Red Bull ingestion is in line with previous work performed in man [2][3][4][5]7,11,13,22]. We observed a larger increase of heart rate as we chose a threefold higher amount of Red Bull compared to studies conducted in adults.…”

“…Moreover, such an increased heart rate has been shown during a mental arithmetic task in 20 young healthy adults [7]. A current randomized, crossover trial subjecting 38 healthy adults to several caffeinated energy drinks showed an increased mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), QTc interval and heart rate [13]. These findings are supported by other studies [4,5,11].…”

Involvement of Cardiorespiratory Capacity on the Acute Effects of Caffeine on Autonomic Recovery

“…A study by Magkos et al [14] emphasized that the physiological changes triggered by the combination of caffeine and exercise may be unfavorable without familiarity of the cardiovascular parameters and the individuals’ characteristics. These findings suggest that depending on physical activity intensity, caffeine may become a contributing factor for harmful cardiovascular complications following exercise in subjects with cardiovascular diseases [15].…”

“…As recognized above, caffeine supplementation in different populations is one of the ergogenic strategies investigated in the scientific research literature [3,7,11,15]. Considering that caffeine is consumed widely [16], detailed information regarding its impact on health is necessarily investigated, especially for its use in exercise.…”

Energy Drinks and Sports Performance, Cardiovascular Risk, and Genetic Associations; Future Prospects

“…The association between performance and the consumption of energy drinks has been demonstrated in American football and soccer [12][13][14], athletics [15][16][17], volleyball [18], and handball [19], amongst others. Although there is comprehensive evidence of the positive association between the consumption of these drinks and improved sporting performance, there are risks in terms of the potential for cardiovascular problems due to hypertension, altered sleep patterns in adolescents, aggravation of mental illnesses, physiological dependence and an increased possibility of subsequent addiction [20,21], while their potential for toxicity can result in tachycardia, arrhythmia, vomiting, convulsions and even death [22]. The adverse effects of energy drink intake may occur in healthy people, but some people may be particularly prone to complications.…”