A group of researchers from the US Mayo Clinic analysed the data of more than 5,000 patients from July 2000 to January 2023 for the occurrence of sudden cardiac arrest. A group of 144 patients following sudden cardiac arrest were further analysed. Seven of them had consumed at least one energy drink before the event.

However, the researchers acknowledge that confirmation of this thesis requires more extensive research, as they did not find a direct link between the consumption of energy drinks and cardiovascular disease. However, it is well known that excessive caffeine consumption negatively affects physiological parameters of the heart, such as heart rate and blood pressure.

Energy drinks and health, photo: panthermedia

In addition to caffeine, energy drinks contain ingredients such as guarana, taurine or sugar. Taurine stimulates the central nervous system and guarana itself contains caffeine, enhancing the stimulating effect of the drink. Excessive sugar consumption increases blood glucose levels and contributes to overweight and obesity. Lack of awareness of the interaction of these substances increases the risk of unwanted side effects.

In recent years, there has been an increasing consumption of energy drinks worldwide, especially among young people. A report called the 2021 National Survey on Diet and Nutrition Status of the Polish Population states that more than 27% of girls aged 10-17 and almost 36% of boys aged 10-17 consume energy drinks.

Energy drinks and heart disease among teenagers, photo: panthermedia

The Polish government has taken steps to restrict the sale of energy drinks. The Act of 17 August 2023 amending the Public Health Act banned the sale of energy drinks to persons under 18 years of age from 1 January 2024.