Impact of Acute Energy Drink Consumption on Blood Pressure Parameters: A Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Hospitalizations associated with energy drinks have increased in the past decade. Whereas energy drinks are suspected to cause hemodynamic effects, the magnitude of risk remains controversial. We evaluated the effects of acute energy drink consumption on systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and heart rate (HR). DATA SOURCES: A search in PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Cochrane database through December 31, 2015, was performed. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Prospective clinical studies assessing the effects of commercially available energy drinks on BP and HR were included. A weighted mean change from baseline was calculated using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model for all end points. DATA SYNTHESIS: In all, 15 studies were included, encompassing a total of 340, 322, and 340 individuals for SBP, DBP, and HR, respectively. SBP and DBP increased significantly by 4.44 mm Hg (95% CI = 2.71 to 6.17; Cochrane Q P = 0.001) and 2.73 mm Hg (95% CI = 1.52 to 3.95; Cochrane Q P = 0.050), respectively. HR changed nonsignificantly by 0.80 beats per minute (95% CI = -1.26 to 2.87; Cochrane Q P < 0.001). The largest change in SBP was seen with drinks administering ≥200 mg of caffeine (6.44 mm Hg, 95% CI = 4.62 to 8.27). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that acute consumption of caffeinated energy drinks significantly raises SBP and DBP. Further investigation of the ingredients in energy drinks and the impact of chronic energy drink consumption is warranted.

Effects of Single and Multiple Energy Shots on Blood Pressure and Electrocardiographic Parameters.

We assessed the effects of single and multiple caffeinated energy shots on hemodynamic and electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters. This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study in otherwise healthy volunteers (n = 26) where a caffeinated energy shot or matching placebo was ingested. The study drink was consumed twice daily for 7 days during each phase, with a 7-day washout period in between. The primary end points of interest were systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), heart rate, PR interval, QRS duration, and QT and QTc intervals. All parameters were evaluated at baseline, 1, 3, and 5 hours on the first and seventh day of each phase. Systolic BP after a single energy shot consumption was significantly higher than placebo at 3 and 5 hours (p = 0.050 and p = 0.038, respectively). Similarly, diastolic BP after a single energy shot consumption was significantly higher at 1 and 5 hours (p = 0.019 and p = 0.043, respectively). The systolic and diastolic BP elevations were not significant after consistent consumption (all p values ≥ 0.079). None of the ECG parameters were significantly affected (all p values ≥ 0.108) compared with placebo. In conclusion, a single shot of a caffeinated energy drink significantly raised systolic and diastolic BPs. However, these elevations were not sustained with chronic consumption. ECG parameters were not altered.

Effects of caffeinated versus decaffeinated energy shots on blood pressure and heart rate in healthy young volunteers.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a caffeinated 5-hour Energy shot compared with a decaffeinated 5-hour Energy shot as assessed by changes in blood pressure and heart rate in healthy, nonhypertensive volunteers. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, controlled, crossover study. SETTING: University campus. SUBJECTS: Twenty healthy volunteers. INTERVENTION: Subjects were randomized to receive either the caffeinated 5-hour Energy shot or the decaffeinated 5-hour Energy shot; after a washout period of at least 6 days, subjects were given the alternate energy shot. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were recorded for each subject at baseline and at 1, 3, and 5 hours after consumption of the energy shot. Heart rate, adverse effects, and energy levels were also assessed. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) baseline SBP for all study subjects was 114.06 ± 11.30 mm Hg and DBP was 69.53 ± 7.63 mm Hg. Mean changes in SBP between the caffeinated arm and the decaffeinated arm at the 1- and 3-hour time points were significantly increased compared with baseline (mean ± SD 6.08 ± 7.71 mm Hg at 1 hour [p=0.001] vs 3.33 ± 6.99 mm Hg at 3 hours [p=0.042]). Similarly, mean DBP changes between the caffeinated arm and the decaffeinated arm were significantly increased at the 1- and 3-hour time points compared with baseline (mean ± SD 5.18 ± 8.38 mm Hg at 1 hour [p=0.007] and 5.43 ± 7.21 mm Hg at 3 hours [p=0.005]). Heart rate, adverse effects, and energy levels were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Caffeinated energy shots significantly increased SBP and DBP over a 3-hour period compared with decaffeinated energy shots in healthy, nonhypertensive individuals.