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Medical energy drinks can lead to serious damage to heart health
Many young people like to consume so-called energy drinks. Researchers have now found that consuming energy drinks can increase blood pressure. In addition, such drinks also seem to have a negative effect on the heart rhythm.
Researchers at the David Grant Medical Center found in their study that consuming energy drinks can lead to various health problems. The drinks can cause blood pressure to rise and heart irregularities to occur. The experts published the results of their study in the medical journal "Journal of the American Heart Association".
The consumption of energy drinks can cause health problems in the heart. Especially young people should therefore exercise caution when drinking such drinks. (Image: beermedia.de/fotolia.com) Energy drinks contain a variety of other ingredients in addition to caffeine
So-called energy drinks can contain up to 320 mg of caffeine. This amount is equivalent to about four cups of coffee. In addition, such drinks usually contain a lot of sugar, several B vitamins and a variety of other ingredients, explain the authors. It is this combination of ingredients that can lead to serious problems. The consumption of energy drinks, for example, can cause irregularities in the heart rhythm, which are the basis of many heart diseases.
Safety of mixed ingredients in energy drinks often unchecked
The ingredients of energy drinks are often referred to as proprietary blends. Each manufacturer mixes his own special version of the ingredients, which are then usually not checked for their safety, the researchers explain.
Subjects were medically monitored 24 hours after consumption
The study was relatively small. It included only 18 male and female subjects. These were completely healthy at the beginning of the investigation, say the scientists. The drink the participants consumed was a commercial energy drink. The blood pressure of the subjects was medically monitored by the experts. In addition, an ECG was performed. This measure controlled the electrical activity of the heart for 24 hours after consuming the drink, the authors add.
During the monitoring period, irregularities occurred in the heart
During this 24-hour period, the researchers observed that heart irregularities occurred. These changes did not occur when consumers consumed caffeine alone, the researchers said.
Energy drink increases blood pressure and leads to the release of stress hormones
Another study has already shown that even a 12 ounce (340 grams) energy drink can increase blood pressure. As a result, so-called stress hormones are released, which can also lead to health problems in adolescents with a healthy heart, say the scientists.
More and more problems with energy drinks among teenagers
Over the past three years, more than 5,000 health issues have been reported due to the consumption of energy drinks, the researchers say. Half of these cases affected children and adolescents. Therefore, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that energy drinks should not be included in the diet of children and adolescents.
Consumers should be wary of consuming energy drinks
Most people assume that consuming energy drinks can not cause any health problems. Such drinks are considered by those affected just as a great caffeine drink, explain the doctors. The problem, however, are the additional ingredients. In other words, when it comes to energy drinks, people should be extremely careful with their consumption. It's never clear which ingredients - other than caffeine - are exactly contained in energy drinks, warn the authors. (As)