Drinking a 32-ounce energy drink may cause more significant changes to heart function and blood pressure compared to drinking a different beverage with the same amount of caffeine (320mg). This was found in a recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sees a caffeine dosage of less than 400mg as safe. Still, energy drinks often contain more than just caffeine, as they include mixtures of energy-boosting chemicals. With over 500 kinds of energy drinks in the market, we’re seeing more emergency room visits and even deaths tied to these beverages, raising questions about how safe they are.
The study came about due to the high consumption of energy drinks amongst military personnel. Researcher Emily A. Fletcher noted that almost 15% of military personnel drink three cans a day while deployed, which exceeds the volume used in this study.
Fletcher and her team categorized eighteen young adults into two groups. The first group had a 32-ounce energy drink, and the second group had a control drink with 320mg of caffeine. After a six-day break, the participants switched their drinks.
The researchers observed the heart activity of the participants using an electrocardiogram and checked their blood pressure at various times after consuming the drinks. They discovered that compared to the caffeinated control group, the energy drink group had significant changes in their heart function and blood pressure within just two hours.
The findings revealed that energy drinks trigger a measurable impact on the heart. For instance, medications that influence heart function by just 6 milliseconds carry warnings on their labels. Yet, the study found an effect on heart function of 10 milliseconds after consuming the energy drink. This could lead to an abnormal heartbeat, which could be life-threatening in some instances.
The study also showed that unlike the control group whose blood pressure levels began to normalize after six hours, participants who had the energy drink still had mildly elevated blood pressure. This implies that other ingredients in energy drinks, not just caffeine, could affect blood pressure levels – a hypothesis that requires more research.
According to Fletcher, people with high blood pressure, heart issues, or other health problems should err on the side of caution when consuming energy drinks, given these initial findings. Fletcher also emphasized that this was a small study and more research is needed to confirm these results.
