Many energy drinks have more caffeine than a cup of coffee. It's not just the caffeine that you should be concerned about if you are worried about blood pressure. Energy drinks affect heart rate and are potentially dangerous for anyone who has high blood pressure or who is concerned about heart disease.
Caffeine
Caffeine is well-known to give you an extra boost of energy or a jolt to a sluggish morning. That jolt is associated with blood pressure going up, although doctors aren't totally sure why. MayoClinic.com notes that it is possible that caffeine might block a hormone that helps keep your arteries open or caffeine might cause a release of adrenaline that raises blood pressure.
Caffeine is found in coffee, teas, and many popular energy drinks. There is approximately 133 mg of caffeine in an average 8-oz. cup of coffee, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Some energy drinks have twice that amount of caffeine.
Additional Ingredients
A 2007 study conducted by Wayne State University and presented to the American Heart Association reported that most energy drinks contain significant amounts of the amino acid taurine, normally found in protein, as well as caffeine. It also showed that systolic blood pressure increased 10 mmHg after energy drink consumption. Heart rate also increased an average of five to seven beats per minute. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured for four hours following consumption of energy drinks. Ginseng and guarana, a form of caffeine, are also common ingredients in energy drinks that affect blood pressure.
Considerations
People with normal blood pressure and who are in good health are less likely to experience blood pressure problems from drinking energy drinks, according to the Wayne State University study. The researchers, however, warn that mixing energy drinks with alcohol or other medications could cause adverse reactions to blood pressure. In addition, the study reports that physical exertion naturally raises blood pressure and a health care professional should monitor anyone using energy drinks to enhance sports performance due to potential dangers in elevated blood pressure.
References
- MSNBC: Popular energy drinks may have hidden risks
- Science Daily: Energy Drinks May Pose Risks For People With High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease
- Center for Science in the Public Interest: Caffeine Content
- MayoClinic.com: Caffeine: How does it affect blood pressure>
- American Heart Association: News Release
- The U.S. Library of Medicine: Ginseng
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