DETROIT, Mar 26, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- People who have high blood pressure
or heart disease should avoid consuming energy drinks, researchers at Henry Ford
Hospital in Detroit recommend.
Researchers found that healthy adults who drank two cans a day of a popular
energy drink experienced an increase in their blood pressure and heart rate but
no significant changes in EKG measurements were reported.
Lead author James Kalus, senior manager of Patient Care Services at Henry Ford
Hospital, said the increases in blood pressure and heart rate were insignificant
for healthy adults, but could prove harmful to people with a heart-related
condition.
"Based on our findings, we recommend that people who have hypertension or heart
disease and are taking medication for them to avoid consuming energy drinks
because of a potential risk to their health," Kalus said in a statement.
The researchers said they believe the caffeine and taurine levels in energy
drinks could be responsible for increases in blood pressure and heart rate.
"Both caffeine and taurine have been shown to have a direct impact on cardiac
function," Kalus said.
Kalus added energy drinks should not be confused with sports drinks, which aim
to replenish the carbohydrates and electrolytes that a body needs.
The findings are published in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International