Energy drinks instead of coffee: what will happen to your heart in a week? Results of the experiment

14.02.2025 16:40

Do you drink energy drinks to perk up?

A 2024 study in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that just 3 cans a week increased the risk of arrhythmia by 35%.

Cardiologist John Mandarola told the CardioNerds podcast:

coffee
Photo: © Belnovosti

"Energy drinks are Russian roulette for your heart. Caffeine plus taurine is an explosive mixture."

The story of a Texas student , Jake, has rocked social media. He drank two cans of energy drink every day before exams until he collapsed with a heart attack in the library.

"I thought it was safer than cocaine," he wrote.

Neurologist Andrew Huberman explained:

"Taurine overloads the nervous system, causing the heart to beat twice as fast. It's like driving a car into the red zone of the tachometer."

But why then are energy drinks sold in every store in Japan? Scientists from Osaka University have revealed the secret: Asian brands use guarana instead of synthetic caffeine, and also add B vitamins.

Blogger @TokyoEnergy drank 5 Japanese energy drinks in one day and said: “I felt like a superhero, but I couldn’t close my eyes at night.”

The controversy reached NASA. Astronaut Scott Kelly admitted in his memoir Endurance that he drank energy drinks during his mission: "You can't do without them on Mars."

But his colleague Peggy Whitson criticized this: “In zero gravity, arrhythmia is deadly.” Red Bull’s makers responded: “Our drinks were tested on fighter pilots.” But cardiologist Lisa Mariek said: “Fighter pilots wear special suits, and you don’t.”

Is it worth the risk? If you, like gamer Ninja, are addicted to energy drinks, choose sugar-free options and drink them with L-theanine to reduce anxiety.

But remember the writing on the wall at the Mayo Clinic: "Adrenaline is a rush to the finish line, but the heart is not infinite."

Valeria Kisternaya Author: Valeria Kisternaya Internet resource editor


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