Energy Drinks Improve Your Heart’s Performance

A new study out of the University of Siena, Italy found that energy drinks improve certain heart functions, specifically left and right ventricular functions. In the study, 35 healthy individuals were given an energy drinking containing both caffeine and taurine.

Results showed that “energy drinks enhance contractions of both the left and right ventricles, thereby delivering a positive effect on myocardial function,” said Dr. Matteo Cameli, who led the study. “This could be explained by the inotropic effect of taurine that, as previously demonstrated, stimulates the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.”

What’s the big deal?

Health concerns have been expressed in the past concerning energy drinks. They can often cause increased blood pressure and the release of calcium from the heart. While this study does show positive results, there’s more work to do.

“future studies need to focus on whether such benefits persist after long-term consumption of energy drinks, and what the effects are of consuming these drinks during physical activity.”