Lovers of energy drinks beware! your next can of that substance may just be your last and right now scientist do not have an antidote for this. It happens that every time you take a gulp of this overhyped deadly substance it increases your blood pressure.
A study by researchers at University of the Pacific has revealed that drinking 900ml (32 ounces) of an energy drink can increase your blood pressure, and even lead to heart rhythm abnormalities
They’re consumed by millions of people every day, but a new study might make you rethink reaching for an energy drink.
Professor Kate O’Dell, a co-author of the study, said: “Energy drinks are readily accessible and commonly consumed by a large number of teens and young adults, including college students. Understanding how these drinks affect the heart is extremely important.”
In the study, 34 participants were randomly assigned to drink either 900ml (32 ounces) of an energy drink or a placebo drink on three separate days.
The drinks were consumed within a 60-minute period but no faster than 450ml (16 ounces) in 30 minutes.
Before and after each drink was consumed, participants had an ECG that recorded the way their heart was beating, as well as a blood pressure reading.
While the energy drinks did contain caffeine, this was in levels that aren’t expected to induce any heart changes. Other key ingredients included taurine, glucuronolactone, and B-vitamins.
The results revealed that participants who consumed the energy drink had irregular QT intervals – the measurement of time it takes for the lower chambers of the heart to prepare to beat again.
Their blood pressure was also significantly higher than those who had consumed the placebo drink.
Professor Sachin Shah, who led the study, said: ”We found an association between consuming energy drinks and changes in QT intervals and blood pressure that cannot be attributed to caffeine. We urgently need to investigate the particular ingredient or combination of ingredients in different types of energy drinks that might explain the findings seen in our clinical trial.”
Based on the findings, the researchers are urging the public to be more aware of the dangers of energy drinks.
Professor Shah added: “The public should be aware of the impact of energy drinks on their body especially if they have other underlying health conditions.
“Healthcare professionals should advise certain patient populations, for example, people with underlying congenital or acquired long QT syndrome or high blood pressure, to limit or monitor their consumption.”