Study links energy drinks to possible heart risks

A US study has found a connection between the consumption of energy drinks and the risk of high blood pressure or heart disease.According to the Medical News Today's web site, "Although the heart rate and blood pressure increases observed in this study were not dangerous for healthy volunteers, the results suggest the drinks could be dangerous to patients with heart disease, or if drinking more than two cans a day led to even higher increases, to healthy people too."

The study was presented in Florida to the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2007 and carried out by Dr. James Kalus who is the senior manager of Patient Care Services at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Kalus advised those with high blood pressure and heart rate to steer clear of such drinks.

The study consisted of 15 healthy young adult volunteers made up of 6 women and 7 men, whose average age was 26 years old, to cease caffeine consumption for two days before the start of the study and also during the study.

According to the United Press International's web site, "Wayne State University researchers found energy drinks increased blood pressure by about 7 percent and heart rates by about 11 percent in adults who drank two cans a day of a popular energy drink."

Energy drinks contain water, sugar, salts and have increased levels of caffeine and Taurine which are aimed at boosting one's energy. Taurine is an amino acid found in protein foods such as meat and fish and like caffeine, it has been shown to increase one's blood pressure and heart rate.