re: Are Energy Drinks Causing Heart Problems?

Chewbakka — 6/10/2019 9:14:47 AM

There are some energy drinks that contain too much caffeine, likewise, there are also pre-workout drinks that contain excessive amounts of caffeine. Some of these pre-workout mixes go as high as 240 -300 mg caffeine and contain other stimulants.

I am sensitive to caffeine, a cup of coffee gives me the jitters unless I am really tired.

However, i will play devil's advocate here and say that as a scientist, I truly believe that many energy drinks are perfectly safe to consume. There is only 80 mg of caffeine in a red bull, along with vitamins. A monster, twice the size, has 160mg of caffeine. Red bull has less caffeine than a cup of coffee and the monster comes in on the high end of a strong cup of coffee. When consumed by someone with common sense, as you would coffee, there is no inherent danger in these drinks. When abused, well, that can happen with coffee and many other stimulants.

Now, i have had the jitters before, but it only came when I mixed several energy drinks (No sleep from an infant with colic) with other supplements, such as Yohimbie. What I had felt like a panic attack and I was getting weird air knocked out of my lungs sensations for a few hours and it was pretty scary. Needless to say, I now never mix, and try to keep my caffeine intake to about 80-100 mg.

Rich Piana, a bodybuilder, died of a heart attack after snorting a pre-workout powder containing something like 300mg caffeine and synephrine (another form of ephedrine).

Many athletes, especially those that take other performance enhancing drugs, or that participate in endurance events such as running, DO NOT have healthy hearts. These people should avoid excessive stimulants. Likely this has a larger contribution to the heart attacks with the energy drinks merely serving as the catalyst.

re: Are Energy Drinks Causing Heart Problems?

HappyHealthy15 — 6/7/2019 4:50:44 PM

Lol...I noticed the thumbnail for this article also had a picture of a bottle of starbucks frapuccino. Lol....not sure why as this is just a coffe drink. Nevertheless, a good alternative to coffee water milk and sugar would be coconut water some honey and instant coffee....mixed would be a better alternative. Cheers.

re: Are Energy Drinks Causing Heart Problems?

Leggs11 — 6/6/2019 10:25:24 PM

tragically, an 18yo male close to us was an energy drink addict. 6'7" tall and fit... he dropped dead one night. Inquest leaves open verdict. Family reckon electrical disturbance of the heart caused by the energy drink. We need proper testing and, if results are clear that these drinks are dangerous - ban them. They are worse than alcohol in my opinion. Maybe worse than some recreational drugs. yet no legislation around their consumption.