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

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

The study, published in Food and Chemical Toxicology, found that the consumption of some energy drinks was related to inadequate heartbeat, cardiomyopathy, increased blood pressure and other heart diseases.

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“As the consumption of these drinks is not regulated and they are widely accessible without prescription for all age groups, the potential for adverse health effects of these products is a matter of concern and necessary research,” said Dr. Ivan Rusyn, professor in the Department Texas Integrative Veterinary Biosciences A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “In fact, the consumption of energy drinks has been associated with a wide range of adverse health effects in humans, many of them related to the effects on the heart.”

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The researchers evaluated 17 over-the-counter brands and were able to infer which ingredients may be contributing most to the adverse effects. They determined that theophylline, adenine and azelate are substances that can have negative effects on the heart, but said more research is needed.

“This study shows that some of the energy drinks tested may have effects on human cardiomyocytes, and that data corroborates other studies in humans,” said Rusyn in a university press release. “Therefore, we expect consumers to carefully evaluate the performance-enhancing benefits of these drinks against emerging data that suggest they may have real adverse effects.

“We also expect the Food and Drug Administration to take a closer look at whether these drinks need to be carefully reviewed for possible labeling of their adverse health effects, and whether certain susceptible age groups and subpopulations should be discouraged from consuming these drinks. “