Energy Drink Associated with Increased Blood Pressure

By Kelly Young

Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD, and André Sofair, MD, MPH

Consumption of the energy drink Rockstar was followed by increases in blood pressure and norepinephrine levels in a small pilot study published in JAMA and presented at the American Heart Association's annual meeting.

Twenty-five adults (mean age, 29 years) were randomized to first consume either a 16-ounce Rockstar energy drink or a placebo drink that tasted similar but didn't contain caffeine or other stimulants. Within 2 weeks, participants consumed the other beverage.

Within 30 minutes of consuming the energy drink, participants' systolic blood pressure increased an average of 6.2%, compared with 3.1% after consuming the placebo drink. The energy drink was also associated with significant increases in diastolic blood pressure (6.8% vs. 0%) and serum norepinephrine levels (74% vs. 31%).

The authors say it is too soon to know whether these changes translate to an increase in cardiovascular risk.