Energy Drink Effects on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate

Overseen By Alison Mancera, BS

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The University of Texas at Arlington

Must not be taking: Vasoactive medications

Disqualifiers: Cardiac, Respiratory, Metabolic, Neurological, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 1 day

32 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

If you are taking any prescription medications that affect blood vessels (vasoactive medications), you cannot participate in the trial. Otherwise, the protocol does not specify if you need to stop other medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Energy Drink on blood pressure and heart rate?

Research shows that energy drinks, which often contain caffeine and taurine, can increase blood pressure and heart rate. One study found that energy drinks significantly increased systolic blood pressure compared to a placebo. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Are energy drinks safe for blood pressure and heart rate?

Research shows that energy drinks can increase blood pressure and heart rate. They have been linked to more emergency room visits and can cause cardiovascular side effects, so caution is advised. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

How does the energy drink treatment affect blood pressure and heart rate compared to other treatments?

Energy drinks are unique in their combination of caffeine and sugar, which can increase blood pressure and heart rate through different pathways compared to caffeine alone. Unlike other treatments, energy drinks may also contain additional ingredients like taurine, which could contribute to their cardiovascular effects. ^{1 2 6 8 9}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The objective of this protocol is to investigate the effect of consumption of a commercially available energy drink beverage on blood pressure, heart rate, and energy metabolism

Research Team

Robert M Brothers, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Texas at Arlington

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals who are interested in understanding how energy drinks affect their blood pressure, heart rate, and metabolism. Specific eligibility criteria were not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

I do not have any heart, lung, or metabolic diseases.

Must be fasted

Must be caffeine naïve

Exclusion Criteria

Breastfeeding women

I have a heart, lung, metabolic, or brain disorder.

Food allergies

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Treatment

Participants consume a 12 oz energy drink or water, and measurements are taken at baseline and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes post-consumption

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any delayed effects after beverage consumption

1 week

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Energy Drink
• Water Control

Trial Overview The study aims to compare the effects of an energy drink versus water on mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and energy metabolism in participants.

Participant Groups

Group I: Energy Drink Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A commercially available caffeine drink containing 200 mgs of caffeine.

Group II: Water Placebo Group 1 Intervention

This will be 12 fl oz of commercially available water .

Energy Drink is already approved in European Union, United States, Canada, Japan, China, Switzerland for the following indications:

Approved in European Union as Energy Drink for:

• General Health and Wellness
• Physical Performance Enhancement
• Mental Alertness

Approved in United States as Energy Drink for:

• General Health and Wellness
• Physical Performance Enhancement
• Mental Alertness

Approved in Canada as Energy Drink for:

• General Health and Wellness
• Physical Performance Enhancement
• Mental Alertness

Approved in Japan as Energy Drink for:

• General Health and Wellness
• Physical Performance Enhancement
• Mental Alertness

Approved in China as Energy Drink for:

• General Health and Wellness
• Physical Performance Enhancement
• Mental Alertness

Approved in Switzerland as Energy Drink for:

• General Health and Wellness
• Physical Performance Enhancement
• Mental Alertness

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Texas at Arlington

Lead Sponsor

Trials

48

Recruited

7,300+

Findings from Research

In a study involving 15 recreational runners, consumption of energy drinks led to a significant increase in systolic blood pressure compared to a placebo, indicating potential cardiovascular risks associated with energy drink consumption.

Despite the increase in blood pressure, the energy drinks did not show any performance benefits in terms of oxygen consumption (V[Combining Dot Above]O2) or perceived exertion (RPE) during exercise trials.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Energy Drinks on Economy and Cardiovascular Measures. Peveler, WW., Sanders, GJ., Marczinski, CA., et al.[2018]

Red Bull significantly increases blood pressure and heart rate compared to a placebo, with effects primarily due to its unique hemodynamic pathways rather than just caffeine or sugar content.

While both Red Bull and a comparable amount of caffeine raise blood pressure similarly, Red Bull affects cardiac parameters more, whereas caffeine primarily influences vascular resistance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The blood pressure-elevating effect of Red Bull energy drink is mimicked by caffeine but through different hemodynamic pathways. Miles-Chan, JL., Charrière, N., Grasser, EK., et al.[2018]

In a study of 35 healthy young adults, consuming an energy drink containing caffeine and taurine led to significant improvements in both left and right ventricular function, as measured by echocardiographic parameters.

The results indicated a positive inotropic effect, with notable increases in left ventricular twisting (+22%) and right ventricular function parameters like TAPSE (+15%), suggesting that these substances may enhance heart performance acutely.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute effects of an energy drink on myocardial function assessed by conventional echo-Doppler analysis and by speckle tracking echocardiography on young healthy subjects. Menci, D., Righini, FM., Cameli, M., et al.[2021]

A study involving 17 healthy children and adolescents found that consuming a single, bodyweight-adjusted energy drink significantly increased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure over 24 hours compared to a placebo.

The results suggest that minors, especially those with existing cardiovascular issues, should be discouraged from consuming energy drinks due to the associated rise in blood pressure.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Energy drinks: effects on pediatric 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. A randomized trial. Oberhoffer, FS., Dalla-Pozza, R., Jakob, A., et al.[2023]

Oral supplementation with a carbohydrate-electrolyte drink significantly improved endurance performance and heart rate responses in national level male athletes during exercise at 70% VO2max, indicating its efficacy in enhancing sports performance.

The carbohydrate-electrolyte drink also facilitated better lactate removal and improved cardiovascular responses during recovery, suggesting it helps delay fatigue and supports recovery after intense exercise.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Supplementary effect of carbohydrate-electrolyte drink on sports performance, lactate removal & cardiovascular response of athletes. Khanna, GL., Manna, I.[2013]

Acute consumption of caffeinated energy drinks significantly increases systolic blood pressure (SBP) by an average of 4.44 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by 2.73 mm Hg, based on a review of 15 studies involving over 340 participants.

The most significant increase in SBP was observed with energy drinks containing 200 mg or more of caffeine, suggesting a direct link between caffeine content and blood pressure elevation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of Acute Energy Drink Consumption on Blood Pressure Parameters: A Meta-analysis. Shah, SA., Chu, BW., Lacey, CS., et al.[2018]

In a study involving 34 healthy young volunteers, consumption of energy drinks significantly prolonged the QTc interval, which is a measure of heart rhythm, indicating potential cardiac risks associated with these beverages.

Energy drinks also led to significant increases in both peripheral and central blood pressure compared to a placebo, suggesting that they can have adverse effects on cardiovascular health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of High Volume Energy Drink Consumption on Electrocardiographic and Blood Pressure Parameters: A Randomized Trial. Shah, SA., Szeto, AH., Farewell, R., et al.[2021]

Energy drink consumption significantly impaired endothelial function in healthy young adults, with a decrease in peak flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) from 5.1% to 2.8% after consumption, indicating potential cardiovascular risks.

The study also found that systolic and diastolic blood pressures, as well as heart rate, increased shortly after consuming the energy drink, suggesting acute hemodynamic changes that could affect cardiovascular health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Energy Drink Effects on Hemodynamics and Endothelial Function in Young Adults. Higgins, JP., Liras, GN., Liras, IN., et al.[2021]

Energy drinks can significantly affect cardiovascular health, particularly blood pressure and heart rate, but current research shows inconsistent results due to varying methodologies and individual differences among study participants.

Recent studies suggest that the primary contributors to these cardiovascular effects are caffeine and sugar, while the roles of other ingredients like taurine and glucuronolactone remain uncertain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Energy Drinks and Their Impact on the Cardiovascular System: Potential Mechanisms. Grasser, EK., Miles-Chan, JL., Charrière, N., et al.[2023]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Energy Drinks on Economy and Cardiovascular Measures. [2018]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The blood pressure-elevating effect of Red Bull energy drink is mimicked by caffeine but through different hemodynamic pathways. [2018]

3. Egypt pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute effects of an energy drink on myocardial function assessed by conventional echo-Doppler analysis and by speckle tracking echocardiography on young healthy subjects. [2021]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Energy drinks: effects on pediatric 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. A randomized trial. [2023]

5. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Supplementary effect of carbohydrate-electrolyte drink on sports performance, lactate removal & cardiovascular response of athletes. [2013]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of Acute Energy Drink Consumption on Blood Pressure Parameters: A Meta-analysis. [2018]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of High Volume Energy Drink Consumption on Electrocardiographic and Blood Pressure Parameters: A Randomized Trial. [2021]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Energy Drink Effects on Hemodynamics and Endothelial Function in Young Adults. [2021]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Energy Drinks and Their Impact on the Cardiovascular System: Potential Mechanisms. [2023]