Red Bull & Co. affect brain blood supply?

Researcher: Red Bull and Co. interfere with blood supply in the brain

04/29/2014

In advertising, it is said that Red Bull lend wings. But as researchers from Freiburg think, such energy drinks cause more the opposite. According to the medical experts, the energy drinks should negatively affect the blood supply to the brain.

Energy drinks strain the heart
Advertising promises that Red Bull gives wings. However, doctors at the University of Freiburg think that this, as well as other energy drinks, tends to do the opposite. The so-called energy drinks strain the heart and reduce the flow rate of the blood in the main artery of the brain. According to a report of the researchers „NZZ on Sunday“ found in tests with 20 to 31 year old subjects. As part of the study, the 25 participants either had to drink one can of Red Bull or the same amount of water, and then the physicians tested the effects on the bloodstream for two hours. The results of the study were published in the journal„European Journal of Nutrition“ released.

Less blood flow in the brain
Although it turned out that the energy drink had a stimulating effect on the entire cardiovascular system, this did not surprise the researchers any further. However, they were surprised to find that Red Bull increased resistance in the largest of the three cerebral arteries and thus decreased blood flow. This means ten percent less blood flow in the brain. Although the findings at least question the invigorating influence of the energy drink on the mind, Red Bull is not harmful to health according to these results. This was pointed out by Study Director Erik Konrad Grasser. Red Bull criticized that the study did not include other beverages such as coffee or orange juice.

High sugar and caffeine content
Energy drinks are repeatedly criticized. Not only the high sugar, but also the caffeine content in these drinks, which could be harmful especially for the young consumers, cause reproaches to the manufacturers. An excess of caffeine, for example, could lead to side effects such as inner restlessness, nervousness, nausea, insomnia or palpitations. Experts suggest that children, pregnant women, breastfeeding and caffeine-sensitive people should avoid such drinks. (Sb)