AHA: Energy Drinks May Be Tied to Heart, BP Abnormalities
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that consuming 32 oz of an energy drink–the equivalent of 1 to 4 beverage cans, depending on the brand–in a short amount of time may be associated with increased blood pressure (BP) and electrical disturbances in the heart.1
In the United States, energy drink consumption is becoming especially common among military personnel and adolescents aged 12 to 17 years–likely due to claims from beverage makers that energy drinks can help enhance performance and cognition.
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“Energy drinks are readily accessible and commonly consumed by a large number of teens and young adults, including college students,” said study coauthor Kate O’Dell, PharmD, professor of pharmacy and director of experiential programs at the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, in a press release. “Understanding how these drinks affect the heart is extremely important.”2
Sachin A. Shah, PharmD, professor of pharmacy practice at University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in California, and colleagues performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 34 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 40 years. Participants were randomly assigned to consume 32 oz of energy drink A, energy drink B, or placebo within a 60-minute period, and were monitored for 4 hours. Each energy drink contained 304 to 320 mg of caffeine per 32 fl oz. Drinks were consumed on 3 study days, with a 6-day washout period between days.
The primary endpoint was defined as QTc interval—a measure on an electrocardiogram. Secondary endpoints were QT interval, PR interval, QRS duration, heart rate, and brachial and central BPs. Endpoints were measured at baseline, and every 30 minutes over a period of 240 minutes.
Ultimately, the findings from the study indicated that consumption of either energy drink was associated with statistically significant increases in QTc interval (6.0 or 7.7 milliseconds higher) and peripheral and central systolic and diastolic BP (4 to 5 mm Hg higher) at 4 hours compared with placebo.
“We found an association between consuming energy drinks and changes in QT intervals and blood pressure that cannot be attributed to caffeine,” said Dr Shah in a press release. “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.”2
With these and similar findings in mind, health care providers can advise patients who consume energy drinks not to consume a large amount in a short period of time, Dr Shah told Nutrition411 via email. Providers can also encourage patients to try other beverage options instead, he said.
"Water, coconut water, or brewed coffee can be reasonable alternatives, but too much of anything can be bad, too," Dr Shah told Nutrition411. "For those with health conditions or on any medications, consulting with a doctor or pharmacist is a good idea."
—Christina Vogt
References:
1. Shah SA, Szeto AH, Farewell R, et al. Impact of high volume energy drinks consumption on electrocardiographic and blood pressure parameters: a randomized trial [Published online May 29, 2019]. J Am Heart Assoc. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.118.011318.
2. Energy drinks may increase risk of heart function abnormalities and blood pressure changes [press release]. Dallas, TX. American Heart Association. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/energy-drinks-may-increase-risk-of-heart-function-abnormalities-and-blood-pressure-changes?preview=e98b. May 29, 2019. Accessed on May 29, 2019.