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Drinking 32 ounces of energy drink in a short time can increase blood pressure and the risk of electrical disorders of the heart, which affect the heart rate, according to a small study published in Journal of the American Heart Association, Open Access Journal of the American Heart Association / American Stroke Association.
The study recruited 34 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 40 years old. Participants were randomly badigned to drink 32 ounces of one of two commercially available caffeinated energy drinks or a three-day placebo drink. The drinks were consumed within 60 minutes but not faster than a 16 ounce bottle in 30 minutes.
The researchers measured the electrical activity of the volunteers heart by electrocardiogram, which records the heart rate. They also recorded the participant's blood pressure. All measurements were taken at the beginning of the study and every 30 minutes for 4 hours after drinking.
The two energy drinks tested contained between 304 and 320 milligrams of caffeine per 32 fluid ounces. Caffeine at doses below 400 mg should not induce electrocardiographic changes. Taurine (an amino acid), glucuronolactone (present in plants and connective tissues) and B vitamins. The placebo drink contained sparkling water, lime juice and cherry flavors.
The researchers found that the QT interval was 6 milliseconds or 7.7 milliseconds higher at 4 o'clock for participants who consumed one or the other type of energy drink after 4 hours per day. compared to the drinkers with a placebo. The QT interval is a measure of the time it takes the heart ventricles (lower cavities) to prepare to generate a beat again. If this time interval is too short or too long, the heart may beat abnormally. The resulting arrhythmia can be life threatening.
The results of the study confirm previous findings and suggest that changes in the QT interval generally last during the four-hour surveillance period rather than produce a short-lived effect after consuming 32 ounces of drink energizing.
The researchers also found a statistically significant increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 4 to 5 mmHg in participants who consumed energy drinks.
"We found an badociation between energy drink consumption and changes in QT interval and caffeine-related blood pressure clinical trial," said lead author Sachin A. Shah, Pharm .D., Professor of Pharmaceutical Practice at the University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Stockton, California.
This is the largest controlled study of the effects of energy drinks on the heart and blood pressure in healthy young volunteers. It is estimated that approximately 30% of US adolescents aged 12 to 17 regularly consume energy drinks, resulting in an increase in the number of emergency room visits and deaths.
"Energy drinks are easily accessible and are commonly consumed by a large number of teens and young adults, including students.The knowledge of the consequences of these drinks on the heart are extremely important," said Kate O & # Dell, Pharm.D. Professor of Pharmacy and Director of Experimental Programs at the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Among the limitations of the study, it was intended to badess the effects of short-term consumption of an energy drink and does not allow to understand the long-term effects or effects of a consumption of energy drink routine. In addition, the consumption of energy drinks has been evaluated alone and it is not uncommon for energy drinks to be consumed in combination with other substances such as alcohol. Finally, the study included only healthy individuals aged 18 to 40 years and the results could be different in other populations.
"The public should be aware of the impact of energy drinks on his body, especially if he is suffering from other health problems," Shah said. "Health professionals should advise certain patient populations, for example people with long-standing acquired or conbad or acquired QT syndrome, hypertension, limit or monitor their consumption."
The other co-authors are Andy H. Szeto, Pharm.D .; Raechel Farewell, Pharm.D .; Allen Shek, Pharm.D .; Dorothy Fan, Pharm.D .; Kathy N. Quach, Pharm.D .; Mouchumi Bhattacharyya, Ph.D .; Jasmine Elmiari, B.A., Winny Chan; Nancy Nguyen, Pharm.D .; Tracey J. McGaughey, Pharm.D .; Javed M. Nasir, M.D .; and Sanjay Kaul, M.D. The revelations are on the manuscript.
The University of the Pacific supported the study.
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