Abstract P394: Impact of Caffeinated Versus Decaffeinated Energy Shots on Blood Pressure
Introduction: Energy drinks are commonly used to boost cognitive performance. However, this is paralleled with a significant increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressures. No studies have evaluated these changes with energy “shots” and whether these effects are driven solely by the caffeine component in energy drinks or a multitude of ingredients remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if the effects of regular (caffeinated) 5-Hour Energy® shot differ from that of decaffeinated 5-Hour Energy® (decaf) shot as assessed by changes in systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, crossover study conducted at a university campus. Healthy subjects, between 18-40 years of age with a blood pressure less than 140/90 and not on any medications were eligible for inclusion. Participants were randomized into either the regular 5-Hour Energy® drink or the decaf 5-Hour Energy® drink study arms with blood pressure recorded at baseline, 1, 3 and 5 hours. Following a washout period of at least 6 days, the same was performed giving the alternate study drink. Additionally, heart rate, adverse events and energy score (1-5 scale) were also assessed. Results: Ten males and 10 females were enrolled in the study with 90% (18 of 20) being of Asian race. Average age was 23.3±2.7 years, weighing 149.1±31.7 pounds with SBP of 114±11.3 mmHg and DBP of 69.5±7.6 mmHg. Baseline coffee consumption was less than 2 cups per week in 11 subjects and at least 1 cup per day in the remainder. The maximum SBP increase from baseline in the regular arm was 7.8±6.5 mmHg versus 2.8±5.6 mmHg in the decaf arm (p = 0.046). Maximum DBP increase was 6.3±3.7mmHg and 1.0±5.4 mmHg (p = 0.003) in the regular and decaf arms, respectively. Significant increases in systolic and diastolic pressures were evident at 1 and 3 hours post consumption (p ≤ 0.027) but not at 5 hours. Maximum heart rate or energy levels between the two groups were not significantly different (p ≥ 0.436). In subgroup analysis, regular energy drinks invoked a significantly higher increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressures (p ≤ 0.003) 1 hour post consumption in caffeine naïve subjects (n=11). Conclusion: Regular energy drinks available in the form of a “shot” increase both systolic and diastolic blood pressures by approximately 5mmHg. This effect appears to be exaggerated in caffeine naïve subjects.