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A new study suggests that energy drinks can have life-threatening effects on health.
The study, headed by Dr. Emily Fletcher from Travis Air Force Base in California, aimed to investigate the impact of energy drinks on people’s health. Dr. Fletcher discovered that 75% of the soldiers in the Air Force Base consumed energy drinks, and approximately 15% of them drank three cans of energy drinks a day. These data prompted Dr. Fletcher and her team to conduct the experiment.
The experiment involved two sets of participants who were given different drinks. The researchers gave the first group an energy drink that is sold commercially. It contained high amounts of sugar and 320 milligrams of caffeine. The other group drank a soda-like beverage with the same amount of caffeine. Instead of sugar, it had lime juice and cherry syrup.
After drinking the beverages, all participants exhibited elevated blood pressure. However, researchers noticed that those who drank the energy drink still had elevated blood pressure after six hours, while those of the participants from the other group normalized.
In Australia, another study observed 24 people who had irregular heartbeats. After consuming an energy drink, some participants experienced a longer interval between their heartbeats. Because of this, the study recommended that people with heart conditions should avoid energy drinks.
Contrary to the studies’ claims, representatives of food authorities said that energy drinks are safe. They explained that the mentioned studies lacked scientific justification and that further research must be conducted. The director of the British Soft Drinks Association also said that the studies’ findings are unusual because the caffeine level in energy drinks is equal to that of coffee.