Brief observation
Detrimental Effects of Energy Drink Consumption on Platelet and Endothelial Function

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2009.09.013Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

Energy drink consumption has been anecdotally linked with sudden cardiac death and, more recently, myocardial infarction. As myocardial infarction is strongly associated with both platelet and endothelial dysfunction, we tested the hypothesis that energy drink consumption alters platelet and endothelial function.

Methods

Fifty healthy volunteers (34 male, aged 22 ± 2 years) participated in the study. Platelet aggregation and endothelial function were tested before, and 1 hour after, the consumption of 250 mL (1 can) of a sugar-free energy drink. Platelet function was assessed by adenosine diphosphate-induced (1 μmol/L) optical aggregometry in platelet-rich plasma. Endothelial function was assessed via changes in peripheral arterial tonometry and expressed as the reactive hyperemia index (RHI).

Results

Compared with baseline values, there was a significant increase in platelet aggregation following energy drink consumption, while no change was observed with control (13.7 ± 3.7% vs 0.3 ± 0.8% aggregation, respectively, P <.01). Similarly, RHI decreased following energy drink consumption (−0.33 ± 0.13 vs 0.07 ± 0.12 RHI [control], P <.05). Mean arterial pressure significantly increased following energy drink consumption, compared with control (P <.05). Heart rate was unaffected by energy drink consumption.

Conclusion

Energy drink consumption acutely increases platelet aggregation and decreases endothelial function in healthy young adults.

Section snippets

Study Population

Fifty healthy subjects (34 male, aged 22 years ± 2 years) participated in this study. Subjects were included if they consumed energy drinks infrequently (<1 drink per month) and had no documented coronary artery disease and no risk factors for coronary artery disease.

All subjects gave written and informed consent to the study protocol that was approved by the Research of Ethics Committee of the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia.

Study Protocol

All subjects fasted overnight and abstained from any form

Subject Characteristic

In a group of young healthy subjects, we examined the effect of energy drink consumption (n = 30) or control drink (n = 20) on platelet aggregation and endothelial function. Baseline characteristics for the entire cohort were: heart rate: 61 ± 2 beats per minute; mean arterial pressure: 81 ± 2 mm Hg; adenosine diphosphate-induced (1 and 10 μmol/L) platelet aggregation was 25.3 ± 3.0% and 69.0 ± 2.7% light transmittance, respectively; and endothelial function as assessed via changes in peripheral arterial

Discussion

In a cohort of otherwise fit and healthy subjects, the present study demonstrated endothelial dysfunction and platelet hyperaggregability 1 hour after energy drink consumption, with an associated increase in blood pressure.

The energy drink used in this study contains caffeine, taurine (an amino acid), and glucuronolactone (a glucose metabolite). Additional substances incorporated in the drink include vitamins (B2, -5, -6, -12) along with sweeteners and thickeners. It remains uncertain which of

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that 1 hour after consumption of an energy drink, there are objective cardiovascular changes characterized by increase in blood pressure, increase in platelet aggregation, and impairment of endothelial function. Further research to determine the clinical implications of these findings is warranted.

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Funding: Dr. Sanders is supported by the National Heart Foundation of Australia.

Conflict of Interest: No author has a conflict of interest with this work.

Authorship: All authors have had access to the data and a role in the manuscript.

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