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Energy drinks are a risk

A small study has shown drinking 2 cans of a popular energy drink, increases blood pressure and heart rate in healthy young adults.

The study

A small group of healthy subjects with low blood pressure levels with an average age of 26 years, drank 2 cans of energy drink.

Within a few hours of sitting down;

• heart rate increased by 11%
• systolic blood pressure increased by 9.6%
• diastolic blood pressure increased by 7.8%.

Study leader James Kalus, from Wayne State University, said, "The increase in heart rate and blood pressure weren't enough for something to happen acutely, but a person on hypertension medication or who has a cardiovascular disease may not respond as well."

He also added, "While energy drinks increase concentration and wakefulness, people with risk factors for heart disease could have a bad reaction. The subjects in this study were healthy with low blood pressure."

Other news items on this topic

• Warning for Red Bull drinkers - People who drink too much Red Bull need to be aware of the health risks.
• Adults who drink one or more soft drinks daily risk damaging their health. - Soft drink consumption has been linked to a variety of medical conditions, according to a new study.

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