[더구루=김형수 기자] It has been found that consumption of energy drinks to obtain effects such as fatigue relief and wakefulness can harm health. It was also pointed out that there is a possibility that life-threatening symptoms may occur.
According to the research results announced on the 18th by Sachin A. Shah, a professor at the School of Pharmacy and Health, Pacific University, USA, energy drink intake increases the QT interval (the left ventricle pumping blood throughout the body) interval) was found to be longer by 6 milliseconds to 7.7 milliseconds.
An increase or decrease in the QT interval can cause life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms and possibly lead to arrhythmias. In the case of malignant arrhythmias such as ventricular asystole, ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, the heart function is completely paralyzed momentarily, and life may be lost due to cardiac arrest.
The study was conducted on 34 subjects between the ages of 18 and 40. The subjects divided into the experimental group and the control group drank 32 ounces (about 950 ml) of energy drink or carbonated water over three times. Researchers monitored the subjects’ heart rate and blood pressure four hours after ingestion. The findings were published in the Journal of the American Heart Association in 2019.
The University of the Pacific researchers said, “Especially those with underlying medical conditions should be aware of the effects energy drinks have on the body.” You have to ask for it,” he said.
Consumption of energy drinks may also increase the risk of stroke. “Energy drinks contain high amounts of caffeine as well as other stimulants,” said Dr. Rula Hajj-Ali of the Cleveland Clinic, a nonprofit medical center in Ohio, USA. are brought to the hospital with strokes or severe brain damage,” he said. “These are young, healthy people, about 30 or 40 years old,” she added.
It is explained that reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, which occurs after drinking energy drinks, can lead to stroke. Doctor Lula Haji-Ali said that reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is characterized by spontaneous recovery after several months, but some may not recover after suffering a stroke. In addition, it is difficult to distinguish in advance who will develop reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and who will not.