Energy drinks hit right in the heart
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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Regular consumption of so-called energy drinks negatively affects blood pressure and increases the likelihood of arrhythmias . To assess the adverse effects of such drinks, American scientists conducted a study led by Sachin A. Shah, a pharmaceutical professor at the University of the Pacific. The results of the project work were presented on the pages of the official website of the American Association of Cardiology.
The experiment involved 34 healthy participants whose average age ranged from 18 to 40 years. Volunteers were randomly offered almost a full liter of drink per day (32 ounces): one got an energy-rich caffeinated drink (two varieties), and the other got a drink that was similar in taste, but without an energy component (placebo). The subjects drank the offered drinks for 3 consecutive days, one liter per day. One bottle of energy was drunk in about half an hour. Next, the researchers measured the blood pressure of the participants, and also assessed the activity of cardiac activity using electrocardiography. All measurements were carried out at the beginning of the experiment, as well as every half hour for 4 hours from the time of consumption of each drink.
In the composition of energy drinks, from 304 to 320 mg of caffeine per 1 liter was present (more precisely - 32 ounces). It is believed that the amount of caffeine less than 400 mg should not cause any changes in the electrocardiogram. In addition to caffeine, the composition of energy drinks was represented by such popular components as the amino acid taurine, B-group vitamins, glucuronolactone (one of the ingredients of plant materials and connective tissues). In pseudo-energetics (false energy drinks, placebo) there was soda, lime juice and cherry flavor, and caffeine and other stimulants were absent.
Experts recorded in subjects who consumed real energy drinks that the QT interval was extended by 6-7.7 milliseconds for four hours after taking the drink. In placebo volunteers, no such change was found.
Disturbed electrocardiogram readings indicate the beginning of a malfunction on the part of cardiac activity. As a result, arrhythmia can develop, which already poses a serious danger not only to health, but also to the lives of patients. In addition, scientists identified a statistically significant increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure by about 5 mmHg in subjects after taking power engineers.
Details of the study are described on the page of the American Association of Cardiology - newsroom.heart.org/news/energy-drinks-may-increase-risk-of-heart-function-abnormalities-and-blood-pressure-changes?preview=c1ff