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NEW REPORT:ENERGY DRINK CONTAINING CAFFEINE & TAURINE LINKED TO HEART FAILURE

April 19, 2021 - Admin
category: Dopa Rush Cocktail, Energy, Fat Burning, Focus, Muscle Growth, Performance, Preworkout, Preworkout X-treme, Strength

By Steve Blechman

 

It was reported on April 15th, 2021 in the British Medical Journal (BMJ Case Reports) that a healthy 21-year-old man had heart failure after ingesting four cans of energy drinks daily for two years. Each energy drink contained 160 milligrams of caffeine combined with the amino acid taurine. The Food and Drug administration (FDA) says 400 milligrams of caffeine daily, which is found in about four cups of coffee, is safe in healthy adults. Blood tests, CT and MRI scans and electrocardiogram (ECG) found both heart and kidney failure. This new case report adds to the growing negative cardiovascular effects of energy drinks containing caffeine combined with taurine.

Recent research has found that moderate caffeine may be good for cardiovascular health. A new report analysis in the journal Circulation on heart failure published February 29th, 2021 found that 2 to 3 cups of coffee daily may reduce the risk of heart failure up to 31%! An 8-ounce cup of coffee contains 100 to 200 milligrams of caffeine. A Starbucks medium roast 8-ounce coffee contains 170 milligrams of caffeine; Grande (16 ounce) contains 375 milligrams of caffeine and Venti (20 ounce) contains 445 milligrams of caffeine.

According to CardioSmart – American College of Cardiology on October 27, 2016, “Concerns about caffeine consumption in patients with heart failure are largely unfounded” based on a December 2016 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. It was “a double-blinded randomized clinical trial, which is considered he gold standard of research studies.”

The conclusion of the study found “acute ingestion of high doses of caffeine did not induce arrhythmias in patients with systolic heart failure at a high risk for ventricular arrhythmias after 500 milligrams of caffeine administered over a 5-hour period.”

Another study reported in the Journal of the American Heart Association on June 4th, 2019 found that several hours after drinking 32 ounces of energy drinks containing caffeine and taurine, the heart’s electrical activity was abnormal compared to a placebo drink. ScienceDaily also reported on this study on May 29th, 2019: “We found an association between consuming energy drinks and changes in QT intervals and blood pressure that cannot be attributed to caffeine. We urgently need to investigate the particular ingredient or combination of ingredients in different types of energy drinks that might explain the findings seen in our clinical trial,” said lead author Sachin A. Shah, Pharm.D., professor of pharmacy practice at University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Stockton, California. The study is the largest controlled study of the effects of energy drinks on the heart and blood pressure in young healthy volunteers. The study included only healthy individuals between the ages of 18 to 40, and the results may be different in other populations.

Both energy beverages tested contained 304 to 320 milligrams of caffeine per 32 fluid ounces. Caffeine at doses under 400 milligrams is not expected to induce any electrocardiographic changes. Other common ingredients in the energy drinks in the study included taurine (an amino acid), glucuronolactone (found in plants and connective tissues) and B vitamins. The placebo drink contained carbonated water, lime juice and cherry flavoring.

At the 2018 Annual American Heart Association’s meeting and Scientific Sessions, it was reported that “young, healthy adults experienced notably diminished blood vessel function soon after consuming one energy drink,” according to preliminary research from a small study that was presented in Chicago at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2018. The presentation was made at 1:00 p.m. CST (Central Standard Time) on Monday, November 12, 2018.

The article further stated, “John Higgins, M.D., M.B.A., of McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in Houston and colleagues, studied 44 non-smoking, healthy medical students in their 20s by testing their endothelial function before each of the students drank a 24-ounce energy drink. Researchers repeated endothelial function testing 90 minutes later.

“One and a half hours after consuming the energy drink, researchers checked the young adults’ artery flow-mediated dilation – an ultrasound measurement that indicates overall blood vessel health. They found vessel dilation was on average 5.1 percent in diameter before the energy drink and fell to 2.8 percent diameter after, suggesting acute impairment in vascular function.

“Higgins and colleagues believe that the negative effect may be related to the combination of ingredients in the energy drink, such as caffeine, taurine, sugar and other herbals on the endothelium (lining of the blood vessels).”

Research has shown that the amino acid taurine can have adverse effects on the cardiovascular system when combined with caffeine. A study published on April 26, 2017 in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that energy drinks containing taurine and caffeine had a negative effect on the heart compared to caffeine-only beverages. Also, in the study an irregular heart rhythm resulted two hours after consuming an energy drink containing caffeine and taurine, compared to a caffeine-only drink. This randomized, double‐blind, controlled, crossover study tested 18 young, healthy volunteers. There was also a greater increase in blood pressure in caffeine with taurine combination compared to caffeine alone. 400 mg of caffeine, which is equivalent to about 4 cups of coffee, is generally regarded as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Other studies have also shown that taurine can have adverse effects when combined with caffeine! (Pharmacotherapy, February 2012; 46(2):192-9, Amino Acds 2001; 20(1):75-82, Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2015 Mar; 31(3):595-601).

Energy drinks containing taurine may also be of concern in people with genetic heart conditions. A randomized, double-blind, crossover study published in the International Journal of Cardiology in March 2017 reported 24 people who had inherited genetic long QT syndrome (LQTS). When supplemented with caffeine combined with taurine, people with this condition have irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). Twenty-four members of the study consumed two sugar-free energy drinks containing 100 mg of caffeine and 2,000 mg of taurine, or a controlled drink consisting of juice, free of any caffeine or taurine. The subjects in the study were not aware of receiving the energy drink or the control drink. The results demonstrated that the participants consuming an energy drink containing caffeine combined with taurine experienced a significant increase in blood pressure compared to the group that consumed the control drink. The potential cardiovascular risk of energy drinks containing caffeine and taurine is concerning!

Energy drinks have become a billion-dollar industry. Obviously, the main component of energy drinks is caffeine, with some being more potent than others. However, manufacturers add taurine to their drinks to “boost” their energizing effects without scientific merit!

One of the most popular additives to energy drinks is the amino acid taurine. Taurine is an antioxidant. Research has shown that antioxidant supplements taken before exercise have negative effects on exercise-induced adaptation processes (BMC Sports Sci Med & Rehab, July, 2014). It also has been reported in the scientific literature that taurine, before exercise, may also inhibit nitric oxide (JAMA Network - Archives of Surg, 1996, The Journal of Immun, May 1995).

Bottom line: based on the recent research, it is not recommended that people combine caffeine with taurine in their energy or pre-workout drinks. Taurine is perfectly safe when taken without caffeine. In fact, the research has shown many health benefits of taurine when taken without caffeine! Taurine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter and has been shown to have a positive effect of the cardiovascular system and lowering stress-induced increases in blood pressure, especially when combined with magnesium. Some studies have also shown that taurine may be beneficial for enhancing weight loss/fat loss. Once again, do not take energy drinks or pre-workouts combining caffeine and taurine. Better to be safe than sorry!

 * The below supplements do not combine caffeine and taurine.

References:

 

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