Energy Drinks: Effects on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Children and Teenagers. A Randomized Trial

Abstract

BackgroundThe consumption of Energy Drinks (ED) is very popular among children and teenagers. While potential cardiovascular side effects of these beverages are suggested, the acute impact of ED consumption on the pediatric cardiovascular system has not been systematically examined yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of ED consumption on blood pressure and heart rate in healthy children and teenagers.MethodsThis study was a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial. On two consecutive days, the study participants were asked to consume a weight-adjusted amount of an ED (3 mg caffeine per kg of body weight) or a placebo containing a similar amount of sugar but without conventional ED ingredients. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate were measured at the following time points: baseline as well as 30, 60, 120 and 240 min after beverage consumption.ResultsIn total, 27 healthy children and adolescents (mean age 14.53 ± 2.40 years, 14 male) were included in the present study. Compared to placebo intake, mean SBP was demonstrated to be up to 5.23 mmHg (p < 0.0001) and mean DBP up to 3.29 mmHg (p < 0.001) increased after ED consumption. Prevalence of elevated blood pressure, stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension was higher after ED consumption. Heart rate tended to be lower after ED consumption.ConclusionsThe acute ED consumption is associated with a significantly increased SBP and DBP in healthy children and teenagers. Minors, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions, should be discouraged from drinking EDs.Clinical Trial Registrationhttps://www.drks.de/drks_web/, identifier: DRKS00027580.

Energy Drinks Decrease Left Ventricular Efficiency in Healthy Children and Teenagers: A Randomized Trial

“…Caffeine is vasoconstrictive and thus leads to an increase in blood pressure [ 27 ]. In a similar pediatric cohort, our department revealed a significantly higher SBP, DBP and arterial stiffness after acute ED consumption [ 8 , 15 ]. An elevation in blood pressure and thus LV afterload is associated with an increase in Epot, SW and ultimately PVA to maintain SV and EF.…”

“…In addition, study participants were only included if the M-Mode echocardiography-assessed LV EF was ≥55%. The assessment of weight classification, caffeine consumption behavior and ED consumption behavior was described in recent publications of our department [ 8 , 14 , 15 ].…”

“…The study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register ( , registered on 12 January 2022, identifier: DRKS00027580). Detailed information on the study design, including caffeine abstention, fasting conditions and precise beverage ingredients, are described in recent publications of our department [ 8 , 14 , 15 ]. In short: Study participants were randomized into one of two intervention phases and received a commercially available caffeinated ED or a placebo drink without conventional ingredients found in EDs (e.g., caffeine, taurine) on two consecutive days.…”

“…Blood pressure was measured in supine position with an automated blood pressure device (Infinity M540, Dräger, Germany). Precise information on the assessment of blood pressure was given in a recent publication of our department [ 8 ].…”

“…While minors are considered the main ED consumer group, systemic studies investigating the acute and chronic effects on the pediatric cardiovascular system are lacking. Recently, a publication of our department revealed a significant increase in systolic (SBP, mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP, mmHg) of up to 5.23 mmHg and 3.29 mmHg after acute ED consumption in healthy children and teenagers, respectively [ 8 ]. As an increase in blood pressure is closely related to an elevation in left ventricular (LV) afterload, it can be assumed that the LV function might be impaired by acute and chronic ED consumption.…”