Effects of Monster Energy drink on cardiovascular and renal function

Abstract

Recent anecdotal reports have linked energy drink consumption with adverse cardiovascular side effects, especially among college‐aged persons. Drinks, such as Monster Energy (ME), contain a wide variety of ingredients, including but not limited to caffeine, whose physiological effects are not completely understood. This study sought to determine if ME was associated with physiologically significant changes. Following an overnight fast, human subjects (age 19.39±1.03 years; 52 female; 23 male) were randomized to ME (2 servings; 480ml; 200 Cal), Isocaloric sugar water (480 ml; 200 Calories), low Cal sugar water (480 ml; 100 Calories), Water (480 ml; 0 calories), or nothing. Heart rate (HR), hematocrit (Hct%), SpO2, blood glucose, urine specific gravity (USG), urine volume (UV), and urine formation rate (UFR) were measured before beverage administration (0‐minutes), then 30‐, 60‐, and 120‐min postprandially. Visual reaction times (VRT) were measured at 0‐ and 60 min. No significant changes in HR, Hct%, SpO2, UV, and UFR were observed within or between groups. Blood glucose did increase significantly for subjects receiving 200 and 100 calorie treatments. USG decreased significantly in all subjects receiving any beverage. VRT improved significantly following ME consumption. This study suggests that ME consumption improves reaction time and was not associated with any adverse effects.