In a study by Wayne State University, investigators found that within four hours of consuming the energy drinks, the participants' blood pressure shot up by almost 10 percent. Their heart rate went up by as much as 11 percent.

The research, reported at a meeting of the American Heart Association, tested 15 healthy young adults who were given two cans a day of a popular energy drink containing caffeine, and underwent electrocardiograms and daily measurements of blood pressure and heart rate.

Participants had been asked to abstain from other forms of caffeine for two days prior to and throughout the study.

Energy drinks generally contain high levels of caffeine and taurine (an amino acid also found in protein-containing foods such as meats and fish), which have both been shown to affect blood pressure and heart function.

Source: Daily Mail; London (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. Powered by Yellowbrix.

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