Contrary to what we may think about the effects of energy drinks on our health, Dr. Matteo Cameli of the University of Siena presented research at the European Society of Cardiology Congress suggesting that energy drinks are actually good for the heart, as they improve myocardial performance. Not exactly what you might have thought about energy drinks named CRUNK !!! or Venom.
Energy drinks generally contain caffeine, an ingredient not usually associated with good health — caffeine raising blood pressure. In the study, researchers used speckle-tracking echocardiography — a way to analyze motion by tracking interference patterns with an ultrasonic window — and echo Doppler analysis to examine how energy drinks may or may not wreck havoc on the heart. Researchers had 35 male participants, age 25, drink some of an energy drink that contains caffeine and taurine. Blood pressure, heart rate, and left and right ventricular function were measured before and after.
The above graph shows the changes from the baseline measurements to the post-energy drink measures, which were measured one hour after consumption. Systolic blood pressure increase by 2.6%, whereas diastolic blood pressure increased by 6%. Heart rate increased 1.6%, which is considered an insignificant increase. The study showed that regulated energy drink consumption does increase blood pressure. Interestingly, both left and right ventricular function improved after the energy drink was imbibed:
Left ventricular function improved in comparison to baseline. Ejection fraction increased by 5% (p=0.01), mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) (which evaluates longitudinal ventricular function) increased by 11% (p<0.001), global longitudinal strain increased by 10% (p=0.004), and torsion (left ventricular twisting) increased by 22% (p<0.0001).
Right ventricular function was also improved one hour after consuming energy drinks. Right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) increased by 2% (p=0.09), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) increased by 15% (p<0.0001), and global and free wall right ventricular longitudinal strain (RVLS), (a measurement of longitudinal strain of the right ventricle), increased by 8% (p=0.001) and 5% (p=0.1) respectively.
Dr. Cameli noted that the above results show that the energy drinks improved contraction of both the left and right ventricles, thus “delivering a positive effect on myocardial function.” Dr. Cameli suggests that the improvement of the myocardial function could be directly related to the taurine contained in energy drinks, which “stimulates the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum,” which aids in muscle contraction and relaxation, something the ventricles tend to do.
Dr. Cameli also notes that though this study found positive results, a study of  the long-term effects, as well as a more in-depth study in general — such as testing the effects of the drinks on individuals in the middle of a workout — should be performed in order to cement the possible health benefits of energy drinks.
(via Science Daily)
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