‘Healthy Man’ Who Regularly Consumed Energy Drinks Suffers A Stroke – Are Energy Drinks Bad For Our Heart? Expert Answers

Energy drinks are a popular choice of beverage – not just among the youth, but in all age groups. If you are also someone who loves to indulge in this drink every once in a while, we have bad news. One recent incident may force you to think twice – before you take a sip of an energy drink next time. A man in his 50s, who was seemingly ‘healthy’, reportedly suffered a stroke. Not just this, he was left with permanent numbness in his hands and feet. Why? He regularly consumed energy drinks. Would you like to know more about it? Then keep reading.

To understand whether energy drinks are actually bad for our heart health or not, we reached out to Ms Edwina Raj, Head of Services - Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore.

Regular Energy Drink Consumption Caused Stroke In A ‘Healthy’ Man: Study 

What made energy drinks come under the radar? The incident took place in Nottingham, England. Doctors raised an alarm after an otherwise fit and healthy man in his 50s suffered a stroke. On questioning, the man revealed that he drank an average of eight energy drinks a day.

He was a fit 54-year-old, an avid runner and had no vices — he didn’t smoke, drink or indulge in drugs. When he suddenly experienced weakness on his left side of the body and difficulties with balance, walking, swallowing and speech, one of his family members rushed him to a nearby stroke clinic. The man’s blood pressure was recorded around 254 over 150 millimeters.

All these findings were published in a study in the journal BMJ Case Reports. On further investigation, the doctors found out that his regular consumption of energy drinks, totalled around 1,200mg of caffeine a day. On the other hand, the recommended maximum intake for the same is 400mg. He was asked to give up his daily habit of drinking energy drinks. After this, his blood pressure returned to normal.

Do Energy Drinks Affect Your Heart?

This news has left many with one burning question – can energy drinks cause heart diseases? Let’s put your racing mind to rest and answer this for you.

“Energy drinks can impact your vascular health as they contain high levels of caffeine, artificial sweetener or added sugar. These ingredients can raise your heart rate and blood pressure. This sudden increase can put extra stress on your heart, especially if you drink them regularly,” shares Ms Raj.

She adds, “The stimulants in energy drinks can cause your heartbeat to speed up or become irregular. This may lead to palpitations, restlessness, or chest discomfort for some individuals. For people with heart issues, these drinks can become dangerous as they might trigger symptoms or worsen existing problems. Even healthy individuals may feel anxious after consuming them. It is good to limit your intake of energy drinks and opt for healthier ways to boost your energy.”

Also Read: Sports Drinks vs Energy Drinks: Which Is Safer and When to Use Them

Can Energy Drinks Trigger Heart Attacks And Stroke?

Now that we know these drinks can have a negative impact on your heart health, let us find out if they can specifically cause a stroke or attack. “Energy drinks can increase the risk of irregular heart rate and high blood pressure, leading to stroke or heart ailment in some individuals. This is because of the high amount of caffeine, which can suddenly raise heart rate, blood pressure, and stress on blood vessels. This strong and fast effect can be dangerous for the heart and brain. People who already have heart disease, high blood pressure, or cholesterol problems, energy drinks can make the heart work harder and may increase the risk of clots or irregular heartbeat,” explains Ms Raj.

She continues, “Even in young and healthy people, drinking too many energy drinks in a short time can cause severe palpitations, dizziness, or chest pain. While not everyone will face these problems, it is best to limit energy drinks and avoid mixing them with alcohol or heavy exercise.”

Health Risks Of Regular Consumption Of Energy Drinks

On this note, Ms Raj shares the health risks of regular consumption of energy drinks:

• It can harm your health because of its high caffeine and sugar content. Drinking them often can also cause sleep issues, anxiety, headaches, and constant tiredness.
• These drinks can affect your stomach, leading to acidity or digestive discomfort, as well as dental decay.
• The extra sugar can cause weight gain and increase the risk of diabetes.
• Some people may also become dependent on energy drinks, and feel they cannot stay active without them.
• Over time, this habit can strain your heart, disturb your mood, and reduce your overall health, making it important to limit their intake.

Also Read: Don't Let Your Body Get Used To Energy Drinks: Harmful Effects To Consider

The Final Word

Energy drinks can impact your vascular health as they contain high levels of caffeine, artificial sweetener or added sugar. These ingredients can raise your heart rate and blood pressure. People who already have heart disease, high blood pressure, or cholesterol problems, energy drinks can make the heart work harder and may increase the risk of clots or irregular heartbeat.