If you have
heard about “Redbull”, “Monster”, or “Burn”, you may already know what I’m
referring to. An energy drink is a carbonated beverage that contains caffeine
and other energetic components such as taurine or ginseng and is intended to boost
the drinker’s energy.
According
to a study carried out by Dr. Matteo Cameli and a team of scientists from University of Siena, energy drinks could improve heart function, since after conducting a trial on 35
healthy people, the researchers discovered that that these beverages
enhanced contractions of both the left and right ventricles of the heart, thus
delivering a positive effect on myocardial function.
However, it
has been proved that over-consumption of energy drinks could lead to unusually high heart rates, increase of blood pressure and other heart issues. If the consumer has preexisting
heart diseases, the effects could be more dangerous.
This was
the case of Anais Fournier, a 14-year-old girl who died on 2011 after consuming
2 cans of Monster drink within a period of 24 hours. After her autopsy, it was concluded
that the girl died of cardiac arrhythmia as a result of caffeine toxicity.
She had an inherited disorder that can deteriorate blood vessels.
Her death
raised awareness alarmingly on the subject, since energy drinks contain
unregulated amounts of caffeine. Several studies are being conducted in order
to know the numerous effects of these beverages.
Take a look
at NBC's Tom Costello report on the subject.
If you have
tried energy drinks, what has been your experience? Are they dangerous only if the drinker has a
heart disease?
