Synergistic effect of energy drinks and overweight/obesity on cardiac autonomic testing using the Valsalva maneuver in university students

Abstract

BACKGROUNDObesity and caffeine consumption may lead to autonomic disturbances that can result in a wide range of cardiovascular disorders.OBJECTIVESTo determine autonomic disturbances produced by the synergistic effects of overweight or obesity (OW/OB) and energy drinks.DESIGNCross-sectional, analytical.SETTINGPhysiology department at a university in Saudi Arabia.SUBJECTS AND METHODSUniversity students, 18–22 years of age, of normal weight (NW) and OW/OB were recruited by convenience sampling. Autonomic testing by the Valsalva ratio (VR) along with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, and mean arterial blood pressure were measured at baseline (0 minute) and 60 minutes after energy drink consumption.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)Autonomic disturbance, hemodynamic changes.RESULTSIn 50 (27 males and 23 females) subjects, 21 NW and 29 OW/OB, a significant decrease in VR was observed in OW/OB subjects and in NW and OW/OB females at 60 minutes after energy drink consumption. Values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and mean arterial blood pressure were also significantly higher in OW/OB and in females as compared to NW and males. BMI was negatively correlated with VR and diastolic blood pressure at 60 minutes.CONCLUSIONObesity and energy drinks alter autonomic functions. In some individuals, OW/OB may augment these effects.LIMITATIONSDue to time and resource restraints, only the acute effects of energy drinks were examined.

Energy drinks: pros and cons

“…These changes sometimes necessitated hospitalization and were enhanced by overweight or obesity. 20,21 EDs alter electrolytes and result in repolarization abnormalities leading to arrhythmias and sudden death. Two cases of fatal ventricular arrhythmias were recently reported in young individuals following ED consumption.…”

Effect of energy drink consumption on baroreceptor sensitivity in young normal weight and overweight/obese males

“…Though alteration in autonomic balance has been reported in overweight/obese individuals as well as in consumers of energy drinks, there are hardly any investigations studying the effects of energy drink consumption on BRS in overweight/obese. 11 , 12 …”

“…Though alteration in autonomic balance has been reported in overweight/obese individuals as well as in consumers of energy drinks, there are hardly any investigations studying the effects of energy drink consumption on BRS in overweight/obese. 11,12 We hypothesized that the individuals spontaneous BRS will be less in young overweight/ obese compared to normal weight individuals at baseline, and the consumption of ED will have a greater depressant effect on BRS in overweight/ obese compared to normal weight.…”