Energy Drinks: Are They Worth the Heart Risk?

[George K]

https://www.medscape.co.uk/s/viewarticle/energy-drinks-are-they-worth-heart-risk-2024a1000bzm?ecd=wnl_tp10_daily_240627_MSCPEDIT_etid6628854&uac=22422FR&impID=6628854&sso=true

Energy drinks might be involved in sudden cardiac arrest in young people. According to a US study, 5% of all survived cardiac arrests were associated with the consumption of these stimulant beverages.

Energy drinks are particularly popular among young adults, typically containing 80 to 300 mg of caffeine per serving (for comparison, a cup of filter coffee has about 100 mg). They also typically include ingredients like taurine and guarana. The interactions between these ingredients and caffeine, which can affect heart rhythm, are not well understood. Individuals with a genetic predisposition to ventricular arrhythmias might be particularly vulnerable.

Katherine A. Martinez from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, US, and her team analysed data from 5000 patients treated for arrhythmias at Mayo Clinic’s Windland Smith Rice Genetic Heart Rhythm Clinic between 2000 and 2023. Among these patients, 144 had survived sudden cardiac arrest. In 7 of these cases (5%), medical records indicated that the patients had consumed energy drinks shortly before their cardiac arrest.

While the study does not establish a direct causal link between energy drinks and sudden cardiac arrest, it strongly recommends that individuals with known genetic risks for arrhythmias avoid these beverages.

[Jolly]

I'm a fairly heavy coffee drinker. Two mugs first thing in the morning, another at around 10-11A and the last around 3-4P.

I tried an energy drink one time. Just no.

[George K]

We had a nurse, Ken, who worked in the OR. Ken was probably 55 at the time when he had a sudden episode of dizziness and weakness. We brought him to the PACU and hooked him up.

Atrial fib at a rate of about 160.

"Ken, do you drink coffee?"

"Yeah."

"How much have you had this morning."

"About 8 cups..."

[Horace]

I even think gatorade is gross. To say nothing of Monster or Red Bull etc.

[Jolly]

@Horace said in Energy Drinks: Are They Worth the Heart Risk?:

I even think gatorade is gross. To say nothing of Monster or Red Bull etc.

You now live in the humid South.

Aid to Gators is your friend.

[Horace]

True enough. I have become well acquainted with the idea that salt and potassium are important after sweating a lot. But I prefer to drink salt water than gatorade.

[LuFins Dad]

Here’s the problem with coffee… Ken had 8 cups… What kind of cups? The weird 6oz cup measurement that coffee makers use? Actual 8oz cups? 10-12 oz mugs? That’s a 100% variance from 48oz to 96oz.

I typically have 24oz in the morning, and a lot of times another 16oz in the mid afternoon. I’ve been known to have An occasional 10-16oz in the evening as well. In fact, I will likely be making a couple of cups shortly. Helps with allergies. But, I also drink dark roast, which is lower caffeine… But otoh, I make it strong… And drink it black. Ken might have drank it with cream. Cream might actually be 1/3 of the ounces…

So it’s not a simple answer.

[LuFins Dad]

@Horace said in Energy Drinks: Are They Worth the Heart Risk?:

I even think gatorade is gross. To say nothing of Monster or Red Bull etc.

I like Tthe yellow gatorade. That’s it. I will also drink water with lemon and a couple of pinches of salt.

[Doctor Phibes]

Yellow Gatorade was my go-to when cycling. I'd also chug a Red Bull before I went out - it actually seemed to make a noticeable difference. I haven't cycled all year, sadly.

[Renauda]

Never tried an energy drink. I find mixing a bit of cranberry juice and club soda sufficiently thirst quenching and refreshing as required.

[George K]

@Renauda said in Energy Drinks: Are They Worth the Heart Risk?:

I find mixing a bit of cranberry juice and club soda sufficiently thirst quenching and refreshing as required.

Yup. Get a Sodastream!

Their additional flavors don't impress me, but I might try a little cranberry juice! Thanks for the tip.

[Jolly]

Why is the original color of Gatorade orange?

[Renauda]

According to a dietitian who works with my spouse; just add a little table salt to unsweetened orange juice and you have home made Gatorade without the sugar. Eat half a banana alongside to get your potassium boost. Enjoy.

[LuFins Dad]

@Jolly said in Energy Drinks: Are They Worth the Heart Risk?:

Why is the original color of Gatorade orange?

I assume because it was created for the Florida Gators football team, who wear orange and blue.

[89th]

A few years ago I got into the habit of drinking a Monster energy drink on the way to work. It absolutely gives you a jolt of energy for a few hours. A bit of an energy crash, later though. I would drink it instead of coffee (which now is what I drink in the morning).

That being said, lately I have a supply of Celsius (energy drink with "vitamins, etc"), which again, when I'm having a really tired day because of kids... will give me a jolt of energy and I really like it. As with all things, I try to keep everything in moderation...

[Jolly]

@LuFins-Dad said in Energy Drinks: Are They Worth the Heart Risk?:

@Jolly said in Energy Drinks: Are They Worth the Heart Risk?:

Why is the original color of Gatorade orange?

I assume because it was created for the Florida Gators football team, who wear orange and blue.

You sir, are correct.

[blondie]

Back when I ran my marathons, I had to drink their Gatorade. Awful stuff. I learned early on to cut it half and half with water or else I’d be quick running to a portapotty. Way too hyperosmolar. But it did ward off dehydration and that headache that came on around 30k.
I tried Red Bull once. I nearly gagged. Definitely not for me.

[taiwan_girl]

Red Bull started in Thailand. THey still sell the original recipe here. I think in the US, a can goes for about $2-3? In Thailand, the original comes in a small bottle and sells for about $0.35.

I have never tried neither, so have no idea why the big difference in price (or how much difference in taste)

[Doctor Phibes]

@taiwan_girl said in Energy Drinks: Are They Worth the Heart Risk?:

I have never tried neither, so have no idea why the big difference in price (or how much difference in taste)

In America they use real bull semen for the taurine, rather than that fake stuff.

[Klaus]

I take plenty of taurine as supplement, but I have no need for energy drinks.