RockStar Energy Drinks (Photo : Twitter)
Drinking just one energy drink can cause short-term health effects that could increase the risk of heart disease, based on the findings of new research. Study participants who drank one can of Rockstar developed higher blood pressure and levels of the hormone norepinephrine, which is closely related to adrenaline.
The study was conducted by the Mayo Clinic. It was published in the journal JAMA on November 8, Sunday.
During the study volunteers drank a 16-ounce (480 milliliters) can of an energy drink. This caused the hormone norepinephrine, the "fight or flight" chemical, to be released by adrenal glands and increased blood pressure.
Researchers discovered that one Rockstar energy drink contains 240 milligrams of caffeine. The beverage also includes other stimulants including the acid taurine; and extracts from ginseng root, guarana seed, and milk thistle.
The study included 25 non-smoking healthy adults with an average age of 29. On two different days up to two weeks apart the researchers took various health readings, including blood levels of caffeine, blood pressure, and heart rate, according to NextShark.
Researchers also performed various stress tests. Then the volunteers were required to drink one energy drink or a non-caffeinated placebo.
Researchers took the same readings 30 minutes after the participants finished their drinks. That included blood pressure, heart rate, and physical and mental stress levels.
The blood pressure of the energy drink experimental group had increased by an average 6.6 points, according to Live Science. However, the placebo control group's blood pressure only rose an average of 3.3 points.
Consuming the energy drink also increased norepinephrine levels. It skyrocketed to 74 percent, compared to 31 percent in the placebo group.
The researchers concluded that the long-term effects of drinking energy drinks could include worse heart health. They stated that larger studies are needed.
The first energy drink targeted at boosting energy was produced by Japan's Taisho Pharmaceuticals in 1962. Lipovitan-D contained a mix of vitamins, taurine, and niacin (vitamin B3).
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