Energy drinks can affect heart muscles, new study from Texas A&M finds

BRYAN COLLEGE STATION, Texas – A new study by Texas A&M researchers has found that some energy drinks can have adverse effects on the muscle cells of the heart.

The study, published in Food and Chemical Toxicology, found that consumption of some energy drinks was linked to incorrect heart rate, cardiomyopathy, increased blood pressure, and other heart conditions.

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“Because the consumption of these drinks is unregulated and they are freely accessible to all age groups for all age groups, the potential for adverse health effects of these products is a matter of concern and requires research,” said Dr. Ivan Rusyn, a professor. in the Veterinary Integrative Biosciences Division of Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “Energy drink consumption has indeed been linked to a wide variety of adverse health effects in humans, many of which relate to the effects on the heart.”

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Researchers evaluated 17 over-the-counter brands and were able to infer which ingredients might be more contributing to the side effects. They determined that theophylline, adenine and azelate were substances that can have negative effects on the heart, but said more research is warranted.

“This study shows that some of the energy drinks tested may have effects on human heart muscle cells, and these data corroborate other studies in humans,” Rusyn said in a university press release. “Therefore, we hope that consumers will carefully weigh the performance-enhancing benefits of these drinks against the emerging data that suggests they may have real adverse effects.

“We also hope that the Food and Drug Administration will further investigate whether these beverages may need to be carefully reviewed with regard to possible labeling of their adverse health effects, and whether certain age groups and sensitive subpopulations should be discouraged from consumption. of these drinks. “