We use cookies on our website. Some are necessary for the operation of the website. You can also allow cookies for statistical purposes. You can adjust the data protection settings or agree to all cookies directly.
Data Protection Declaration
Imprint
Chronic high consumption of energy drinks and cardiovascular risk in adolescents
Project
Project code: BFR-LMS-08-1322-784
Contract period: 01.01.2021
- 31.12.2021
Purpose of research: Experimental development
The BfR is not aware of any published studies with regard to the effects of chronically high energy drink consumption on the cardiovascular system. In the context of an expert discussion “Possible effects of coffeine on the cardiovascular system of children and adolescents” (BfR, 2017) a. reported on a number of cases in which cardiology of the heart was observed in connection with long-term, excessive consumption of energy drinks in a pediatric cardiology practice. In particular, the case of an adolescent was presented in whom an echocardiographic examination of the left ventricle of the heart was diagnosed with a strong thickening of the septal wall. According to the attending physician, the questioning of the patient revealed a long-term high consumption of energy drinks of 1–2 liters per day. However, a detailed anamnesis and a more detailed case description were not presented during the expert discussion. Overall, the scientific data on the effects of long-term high energy drink consumption are therefore not sufficient to draw clear conclusions. Therefore, the first aim of this study is to identify adolescents who have regularly consumed high amounts of energy drinks over a longer period of time. The identified chronic high consumers should then be examined non-invasively for various cardiovascular parameters in a cardiological center in comparison to a control group in order to check whether there are significant differences between the two groups. Study design and institutions involved. The present study aims to investigate whether the chronic high consumption of energy drinks is associated with cardiovascular changes in adolescents. The study is divided into two study phases. The “screening study on lifestyle factors” serves to identify adolescents with chronic high consumption (phase 1). In the "heart echo study", the heavy consumers and a control group are comprehensively examined cardiologically (phase 2). The study is being carried out by the BfR, Department 5 (specialist groups [FG] 53 and 54) in cooperation with the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, medical clinic with a focus on cardiology, clinical research unit, headed by Prof. Dr. Frank Edelmann performed; the latter takes over the cardiological examination. The aim of this project is to investigate whether the chronic high consumption of energy drinks can be accompanied by cardiovascularly detectable differences in the function and morphology of the heart. Aim of the screening study: Identification of 100 to 200 exposed adolescents with chronic high consumption of energy drinks and 200 to 400 unexposed adolescents. Aims of the study on cardiovascular changes in high consumers: Goal 1: Differences between chronic high consumers and the control group in 6 echocardiographic parameters. Goal 2: Investigation of differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the group of chronic high consumers compared to the control group. Goal 3: Changes in the ECG in the chronic high consumers compared to the control group.
Section overview
Subjects
- Physiology of Nutrition
- Nutritional behaviour
