This Is What One Energy Drink Does To Your Body

Energy drinks are filled with stimulants, sugar and who knows what else. It is no surprise that energy drinks are bad for your body, but this study reveals how ONE energy drink affects your body.

During college was when I began my constant consumption of everything caffeinated. It all started with two Dunkin Donuts medium iced coffees a day. Then in my final semester of senior year, I wound up drinking three coffees and two 16 oz. Red Bulls a day just to stay awake.

I know, I know it is excessive especially since headlines constantly warn that energy drinks increase your heart rate. In a study conducted by Mayo Clinic, energy drinks in short term predispose individuals to higher risks of cardiovascular disease. Drinking a 16oz can could lead to increased blood pressure and a spike in stress hormones in healthy adults.

Within this study, researchers gathered 25-29 participants with a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 who were also non-smokers and disease free. The participants were to consume no alcohol or caffeine prior to the test.The study was done over a course of two days spread two weeks apart, where one group had Rockstar (16oz)) and the other drank a placebo.

Caffeine levels shot up after drinking Rockstar but not the placebo without any surprise. Heart rate and blood pressure remained somewhat the same in both placebo and energy drink days but blood pressure increased in those who consumed Rockstar. Researchers did discover that norepinephrine levels, a stress hormone that increases heart rate to prepare you for a flight or fight in a situation, rose after consuming Rockstar. Combination of increased blood pressure and norepinephrine levels may caused increased the risk of heart disease.

Tracy Parker, Heart Health Dietician at the British Heart Foundation, told IFL Science:

"It is hard to pinpoint whether it is the caffeine, other stimulants or a combination of ingredients in energy drinks that cause this effect and whether this would lead to any heart problems."

So, I guess I should probably slow down with the energy drinks...