They may be small, but blood clots have a devastating impact on our health. Factors such as smoking, pregnancy, hospitalization, or cancer can make a person more susceptible to developing blood clots. It appears that drinking energy drinks also increases the risk of blood clots.
ContentEnergy drinks may increase the risk of blood clotsRisks of drinking too much energy drinks
This is according to a study published in 2023 in the Journal of Investigative Medicine. Although some risk factors may be beyond our control, we can protect ourselves from blood clots with healthy habits, such as minimizing energy drink consumption. This is what WomanEL wants to warn you about.
Energy drinks may increase the risk of blood clots
Some people prefer to get their caffeine from alternative sources rather than coffee, such as energy drinks. According to a 2023 Statista survey of more than 10,000 participants, 33% of people aged 18 to 29 reported drinking energy drinks regularly. The same was observed in 36% of adults aged 30 to 49 years, as well as in 15% of middle-aged and older people. However, studies have shown that energy drinks may create favorable conditions for the formation of blood clots in the body.
In a 2015 study published in the Journal of Surgical Research, 32 healthy adults ages 18 to 40 were given 30 minutes to drink a bottle of water or a sugar-free energy drink after an overnight fast. The experiment was carried out twice with an interval of one week.
The research team analyzed blood clotting and platelet function before the experiment, as well as 1 hour after it. She found a link between energy drink consumption and increased platelet aggregation, or platelet clumping. As a result, the researchers concluded that energy drinks could potentially compromise your heart health.
Risks of excessive consumption of energy drinks
Those who go beyond consuming caffeinated energy drinks may be especially at risk for adverse cardiovascular events. According to the previously mentioned 2023 case report, a man in his early 20s who had suffered a heart attack presented to the hospital after 8 hours of severe chest pain extending to his left shoulder. His symptoms developed 4 hours after he drank five cans of energy drinks, and had also been consuming multiple energy drinks daily for the past several weeks.
In the study, the research team highlighted the hypercoagulable effect of energy drinks and the subsequent increased risk of blood clots. While further research is needed, experts emphasize the need to increase awareness of the potential health hazards of energy drinks and the importance of keeping their consumption to a minimum.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends limiting caffeine intake to less than 400 milligrams in a day. Because exceeding this amount may cause harmful side effects. Keep in mind that different energy drinks contain different amounts of caffeine, so be sure to check the product label.
You don't have to drink coffee or an energy drink to boost your energy, try eating this healthy food.