In a study done by the American Heart Association, a mere can of energy drink can significantly increase the stress hormone levels of a person, thus increasing his or her risk of cardiovascular diseases. The research found that the finding is true for young and healthy adults.

The participants, healthy, young adults aged 18 and above, were made to drink a 16-ounce can of Rockstar energy drink or a placebo drink consisting of the same amount of sugar minus stimulants and caffeine. Rockstar energy drink has 240 mg of caffeine, 2,000 mg of taurine, and extracts from ginseng root, guarana seed and milk thistle.

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They were made to consume the drink within five minutes on two random separate days, and two weeks apart at the most.

Participants who drank the energy drink had higher blood pressure and norepinephrine levels than those who drank the placebo drink. They also averaged a 6.6-point increase in their systolic blood pressure compared to those who drank the placebo drink who averaged 3.3 points increase. Meanwhile, the norepinephrine levels of those who drank Rockstar rose 100 pg/mL versus an increase of 39 pg/mL to those who consumed the placebo drink.

According to the study, energy drinks "may predispose [people] to increased cardiovascular risk".

The study is not the first to deal with the relationship between energy drinks and heart disease, and the team admits that further research is needed in order to validate their findings.

The said study was published in JAMA last Sunday, November 8, and was presented and discussed during the AHA's Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Florida.

TagsHeart disease, Energy drinks, cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular health, cardiovascular diseases, heart attack, Heart failure, Stress, AHA, American Heart Association, heart health, Cardiology, placebo, caffeine