April 27, 2021
If you’re sipping on an energy drink right now, you might want to put it down before diving into this. New research highlights that downing just 32 ounces of any energy drink can lead to troubling changes in blood pressure and heart function—changes that far exceed what’s seen with regular caffeine consumption. So, maybe reach for a Diet Coke instead? Oh, wait, scratch that.
Sigh.
A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association examined the bodily effects on a group of 18 healthy adults after they consumed an energy drink compared to another beverage with equal caffeine but lacking those infamous extra ingredients. While energy drinks contain caffeine, there’s limited data on the safety of the other components.
What’s in Energy Drinks?
For this particular study, the “other beverage” had 320 mg of caffeine (equivalent to four cups of coffee), along with four ounces of sugar, several B vitamins, and a secret “energy blend” featuring taurine and other familiar ingredients from popular brands like Monster Energy and Red Bull. And let’s not even talk about that energy drink called “Cocaine” because if you drink that, well, that’s on you.
Researchers monitored participants’ blood pressure and performed EKGs to track heart activity for 24 hours post-consumption of both drinks. Those who drank the energy drink showed irregular heartbeats, while the caffeine-only group did not. Blood pressure increased nearly five points after the energy drink, while it barely budged after the caffeine beverage.
The Risks for Kids
From 2010 to 2013, U.S. poison control centers reported over 5,000 instances of energy drink-related illnesses, with almost half involving kids who didn’t realize what they were consuming. Advertisers slyly target these beverages at children, claiming they enhance focus, reaction times, and performance. They even sponsor extreme sports athletes! When I was researching this, I texted my 13-year-old to see if energy drinks were sold at her school (turns out, they aren’t). Yet, there’s no age restriction preventing kids from buying them at stores or gas stations.
Even a single 16-ounce energy drink can “elevate blood pressure and stress hormones, potentially putting a healthy young adult at risk for heart damage,” a 2015 Mayo Clinic study revealed. Looks like it’s back to Starbucks for us!
Further Reading
For more insights into the world of home insemination and parenting, check out our other blog posts like this one. And if you’re curious about fertility, this is a fantastic resource. For those navigating pregnancy, this is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
Conclusion
In summary, energy drinks pose significant health risks, especially for kids. It’s crucial to educate them about these dangers and steer them toward healthier choices.