Effects of Energy Drinks on Heart Rate
Like a shock to the system, an energy drink can give your body a caffeinated jolt. These liquid sources of fuel make you feel energized and ready to tackle your day. Though they're readily available at convenience stores and gas stations, energy drinks may not be as harmless as they seem.
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Function
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Read the label on several different energy drinks and you're likely to find unique blends of ingredients--each claiming to be better and more effective than the last. Some common ingredients are caffeine, which stimulates the central nervous system and makes you feel more wired and alert; sugar, which gives you a short-lived burst of energy; guarana, which may reduce fatigue, and ginseng, which doesn't seem to affect energy but may increase mental acuity.
Effects
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In addition to making you feel more alert, energy drinks may also affect your heart. A Wayne State University study found that just two energy drinks a day raised heart rate and blood pressure in healthy patients.
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Theories/Speculation
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The heart-healthy participants in the Wayne State University study avoided other caffeinated products and were at rest during observation. Researchers speculate that consuming energy drinks in addition to other caffeinated products, drinking them while participating in sports or other intense activities, and preexisting heart conditions (such as high blood pressure) could lead to greater spikes in heart rate.
Warning
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Consuming energy drinks in large quantities may be dangerous to your health. Large quantities of energy drinks have been linked to cases such as a 40-year-old British man whose heart failed, an 18-year-old basketball player who died after consuming three cans of an energy drink, and a New Zealand mom who suffered a heart attack after consuming practically nothing but energy drinks in her effort to lose weight.
Prevention/Solution
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If you want the pick-me-up an energy drink provides, but don't want to worry about health risks, stick to small quantities. Read the product to see if there is a recommended maximum per day; if not, err on the side of caution and drink no more than one each day. Also, it's a good idea to limit your caffeine intake outside of energy drinks. If you have a preexisting heart condition, avoid energy drinks or ask your doctor for recommendations.
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