Effects of Energy Drinks on Economy and Cardiovascular Measures

Abstract

Peveler, WW, Sanders, GJ, Marczinski, CA, and Holmer, B. Effects of energy drinks on economy and cardiovascular measures. J Strength Cond Res 31(4): 882–887, 2017—The use of energy drinks among athletes has risen greatly. Caffeine and taurine are the 2 primary performance enhancing ingredients found in energy drinks. The number of emergency department visits involving energy drinks doubled over the past 5 years. Reviews of the health complications have highlighted adverse cardiovascular events. The literature reveals that caffeine is known to moderately increase blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 3 different energy drinks on cardiovascular and performance measures. Fifteen recreational runners completed 5 trials. The first trial consisted of a graded exercise protocol. The 4 remaining trials consisted of 15-minute economy trials at a treadmill speed consistent with 70% of subject's V̇o 2max. An hour before subjects ingested 1 of the 3 energy drinks or a placebo. HR, BP, V̇o 2, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded during the 15-minute trial. Mean values for dependent measures were compared using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Fifteen-minute systolic BP readings were significantly lower in the placebo trials (156.93 ± 15.50) in relation to the 3 energy drink trials (163.87 ± 13.30, 166.47 ± 13.71, and 165.00 ± 15.23). There were no significant differences in diastolic BP and HR. There were no significant differences found in V̇o 2 or RPE measures. Ingestion of energy drinks demonstrated no change in V̇o 2 or RPE during the economy trials. The findings show no performance benefits under the conditions of this study. However, there does appear to be a significant increase in systolic BP.

Comparison of caffeine disposition following administration by oral solution (energy drink) and inspired powder (AeroShot) in human subjects

“…This is consistent with previous findings that caffeine doses in excess of 200 mg are generally required to produce clinically meaningful changes in cardiovascular parameters . However, some studies have reported significant effects on heart rate or blood pressure at doses as low as 80 mg . This may be due to other ingredients contained in the tested dosage forms such as glucose and taurine both common ingredient in energy drinks.…”

Non-linear analysis of heart rate variability for evaluating the acute effects of caffeinated beverages in young adults

“…There are numerous studies which investigated the acute effects of caffeinated beverages on haemodynamic parameters, such as blood pressure and heart rate variability. 1,[4][5][6] For instance, Hajsadeghi et al 7 reported a significant heart rate decline and Peveler et al 8 showed a significant increase in systolic blood pressure after the consumption of energy drink. Consequently, a number of studies have shown the adverse effects of caffeinated beverages on cardiovascular system, but the dynamics and the mechanism are still ambiguous.…”

Effects of energy drinks on the cardiovascular system

“…The subjects ingested one of three energy drinks or a placebo one hour prior to testing. Results showed that the fifteen minute systolic BP readings were significantly higher in the three energy drink trials (163.87, 166.47, and 165.00) compared to the placebo trials (156)[ 12 ]. Other studies have found the same effect as well.…”