The influence of so called „energy drinks” on the blood pressure and the pulse rate in young, healthy adults

Abstract

Background The growing consumption of so called „energydrinks” (ED) is observed among young adults. These drinks contain caffeine, taurine and inositol which mayhave adverse effects on the cardiovascular system. The aimof the study was to determine the influence of ED on blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate in healthy young adults.

Material and methods Eighteen healthy volunteers aged20–35 years were enrolled into the study. Study was performed using a double blind method, with two concentrationsof ED and a placebo. During the separate visits three solutions were administered: placebo, an ED with120 mg and 360 mg of caffeine. Measurements of blood pressure and pulse rate were carried out from 30 minutes before to 90 minutes after drinking the solutions.

Results Results were analyzed in 12 volunteers who completed the study. The intake of an ED with 120 mg of caffeine didn’t influence significantly blood pressure and pulse rate. Consumption of single portion of ED containing 360 mg of caffeine leads to significant increase of blood pressure (diastolic BP9.4 ± 5,1 mm Hg, p = 0.028) and a pulse rate (5 ± 2 beats/min, p = 0.042). Three hours after ingestion of ED with 360 mg of caffeine all participants revealed tachycardia, anxiety and insomnia.

Conclusions 1. Larger doses of ED influenced negatively on cardiovascular system of young healthy adults. 2. Ingestion of large ED dose may be particularly dangerousin patients with arterial hypertension or other cardiovascular diseases.