[ad_1]
Years of research have identified various serious health risks badociated with the consumption of two energy drinks, such as liver damage, increased blood pressure, dental erosion, etc.
RELATED: How dangerous are energy drinks? Study links serious heart problems
Despite the warnings, energy drinks are still among the most used dietary supplements in the United States. In fact, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, "nearly one-third of adolescents aged 12 to 17 regularly drink".
New research to be presented at the American Heart Association summit in Chicago next week suggests that the consumption of a single drink can have negative effects on the function of the blood vessels.
For the study, scientists at the McGovern Medical School in Houston examined 44 young, healthy, non-smoking, 20-year-old medical students. They tested baseline endothelial function (or blood vessel function) and then tested again 90 minutes after participants consumed a 24-ounce energy drink. Endothelial function is a powerful indicator of cardiovascular risk.
RELATED: Energy drinks pose serious and frightening risks to health
The researchers also recorded dilation induced by arterial flow with the help of an ultrasound that reveals the overall health of the blood vessels before and after the 90-minute mark.
What they found was an acute impairment of vascular function after a single drink. Initially, vessel dilatation averaged 5.1% in diameter. After 90 minutes and a drink later, the diameter of the vessel dilation fell to 2.8%.
According to lead researcher John Higgins, this reduction can limit blood flow and oxygen delivery.
RELATED: Coroner: Overdose of caffeine-related drink, coffee and energy drink resulted in death of South African teenager
"It's more work for the heart and less oxygen for the heart. This could explain why children have had heart failure after an energy drink, "he told HealthDay.
The effects of this reduction may ultimately lead to an increased risk of high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke or rheumatic heart disease, in addition to other vascular diseases.
Although the study is small and only examines the acute effects of energy drinks, Higgins and his colleagues believe that the combination of caffeine, taurine, sugar and other components is causing the negative effects.
»RELATED: What is the Coffee Death Wish? 'The strongest coffee in the world' soars in space
As the American Heart Association has already noted, "added sugars do not contain any nutrients, but many extra calories can lead to excess weight or even obesity, which reduces heart health."
And while caffeine has also been badociated with health benefits, the recommended daily limit is 400 milligrams for adults. However, some energy drinks contain more than 200 milligrams per ounce, including so-called "energy projectiles".
»RELATED: The truth about the dangers of dietary supplements
Nevertheless, industry groups argue that their drinks are safe.
"Traditional energy drinks contain about half the caffeine from a cup of coffee of similar size, and have been widely studied and confirmed to be safe for use by government authorities," said William Dermody Word of the American Beverage Association, in response to the "Nothing in this preliminary research contradicts this well-established fact."
Researchers are expected to present their results as preliminary until they are published in a peer-reviewed journal on Monday, November 12th.
Source link
