Energy drinks and their effects on the heart and blood pressure
Energy drinks have a much stronger effect compared with other beverages that contain the same amount of caffeine. They change the ECG in certain areas, raise the blood pressure and this can last up to six hours after consumption. That is what American researchers found.
The 18 participants (all considered healthy) aged 18 to 40 received drinks with 320 mg of caffeine in both groups. One group received this in the form of energy drinks. With this dose they stayed below the recommended limit of 400 mg per day for healthy adults.
While the peripherally (on the arm) measured systolic blood pressure of the control group was almost back to normal after six hours, with an increase of only 0.83 mmHg, the average systolic blood pressure of those who had consumed an energy drink was still 4.72 mmHg above the baseline. The diastolic peripherally measured values of both groups showed no deviation nor did the central measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
While the peripherally (on the arm) measured systolic blood pressure of the control group was almost back to normal after six hours, with an increase of only 0.83 mmHg, the average systolic blood pressure of those who had consumed an energy drink was still 4.72 mmHg above the baseline. The diastolic peripherally measured values of both groups showed no deviation nor did the central measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
It is suspected that other ingredients like taurine, L-carnitine and similar substances contribute to this effect. This should be studied further, since the study shows that caffeine alone is not responsible for the blood pressure increase.
The Silesian University in Katowice has also looked into energy drinks and their effects. This study compared the effects of energy drinks with 120 mg of caffeine to drinks that contained 360 mg of caffeine. The lower dose had hardly any effect on pulse and blood pressure. The drink with the high caffeine dose, however, caused a marked increase in blood pressure systolic by 9.0 mmHg and diastolic by 9.4 mmHg. The pulse rate increased by five beats per minute and there were heart rhythm disturbances with episodes of a racing heart. The rise in systolic blood pressure occurred already 15 minutes after drinking, which the researchers do not firmly attribute to the drink. The diastolic blood pressure increase happened after 30 minutes and the racing heart after 90 minutes, which are clearly considered a result of the drink.
People whose blood pressure values are high or borderline, or who suffer from heart problems or diabetes, are therefore advised to steer clear of energy drinks. Please keep in mind: the blood pressure increase in people with hypertension occurs at a higher level. The above-mentioned limit of 400 mg of caffeine per day, regarded as safe, applies to healthy adults. Children, adolescents and adults with pre-existing conditions can experience health problems at lower doses. In addition, the effects of the other added substances in energy drinks have not been sufficiently researched and clearly play a significant role.
By the way: A cup of espresso contains 40 to 60 mg of caffeine.
Sources
- https://www.aerztezeitung.de/Medizin/Energydrinks-koennen-Engelsfluegel-verleihen-65167.html
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/jaha.116.004448
- https://journals.viamedica.pl/arterial_hypertension/article/view/35471
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2021.679105/full
- https://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/227319
This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 03/2024).
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.
