- Consuming energy drinks may increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest, particularly in people with certain genetic heart conditions
- Among 144 sudden cardiac arrest survivors with pre-existing genetic heart conditions, 5% consumed one or more energy drinks around the time the cardiac arrest occurred
- For people with genetic heart disease, researchers concluded, “an early warning should be made about the potential risks of these drinks”
- Other scientists described energy drink consumption as a “rising public health issue,” noting that’s it’s linked to problems with the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, psychiatric systems and neurological systems
- If your energy is lagging and you’re struggling with brain fog, energy drinks are not the answer; optimizing your mitochondrial function is
(Mercola)—Energy drinks are under scrutiny following research linking their consumption to sudden cardiac arrest.1 The beverages have soared in popularity in recent years among those looking for a quick boost. Energy drinks are the No. 2 most consumed supplement after multivitamins among adolescents and young adults,2 and their market size is expected to reach $90.49 billion in 2028.3
The cocktail of stimulating ingredients in energy drinks, however, could be putting heart health at risk, especially among people with certain genetic heart conditions. According to researchers from the Mayo Clinic, energy drinks may be “arrhythmogenic foods” that increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
Energy Drinks May Increase Risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac arrest occurs suddenly due to a malfunction in the heart that causes it to stop beating. An electrical signal in the heart may lead to arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, including ventricular fibrillation, which is the No. 1 cause of cardiac arrest. It describes a heartbeat so rapid that the heart trembles instead of pumping blood.4
“Energy drinks can trigger life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias,” researchers wrote in the journal Heart Rhythm. “It has been postulated that the highly stimulating and unregulated ingredients alter heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac contractility, and cardiac repolarization in a potentially proarrhythmic manner.”5
The study involved electronic medical records of all sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) survivors with proven arrhythmias who came to the Mayo Clinic Windland Smith Rice Genetic Heart Rhythm Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for evaluation. Among 144 SCA survivors with pre-existing genetic heart conditions, seven of them — or 5% — consumed one or more energy drinks around the time the cardiac arrest occurred.
Lead study author Dr. Michael J. Ackerman, Ph.D., genetic cardiologist at Mayo Clinic, explained in a news release:6
“While there seemed to be a temporal relationship between energy drink consumption and the seven patients’ sudden cardiac arrest event, a myriad of potential ‘agitators’ that could have also contributed to a genetic heart disease-associated arrhythmia occurred, like sleep deprivation, dehydration, dieting or extreme fasting, concomitant use of QT-prolonging drugs, or the postpartum period.
As such, unusual consumption of energy drinks most likely combined with other variables to create a ‘perfect storm’ of risk factors, leading to sudden cardiac arrest in these patients.”
That being said, previous studies have linked caffeine and sudden cardiac death. A 16-ounce energy drink may contain 80 milligrams (mg) to 300 mg of caffeine, along with other stimulant ingredients. Panera Bread recently removed caffeinated lemonade from its menu after lawsuits alleged they caused two deaths from cardiac arrest.7
“Although the relative risk is small and the absolute risk of sudden death after consuming an energy drink is even smaller, patients with a known sudden death predisposing genetic heart disease should weigh the risks and benefits of consuming such drinks in the balance,” Ackerman said.8 For people with genetic heart disease, the researchers concluded, “an early warning should be made about the potential risks of these drinks.”9
Energy Drinks Are an Arrhythmogenic Food
In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Ehud Chorin, Ph.D. with Tel Aviv University described arrhythmogenic foods as an underestimated medical problem, stating that energy drinks fall into this classification.10 Chorin says:11
“Establishing a probable cause of an arrhythmia includes inquiring about a potential exposure to toxins or medications. An increasing number of substances in the standard diet are found to have unwanted cardiac effects, prompting the consideration of a novel subcategory in a patient’s clinical history intake: arrhythmogenic foods. Energy drinks fall in this category.
The findings reported in this study should be viewed in the context of the large body of evidence suggesting arrhythmogenic effects of certain foods, especially when consumed in large quantities or large concentrations by high-risk patients.”
In the featured study, for instance, two of those affected had long QT syndrome (LQTS) while two had catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). Both of these conditions are associated with cardiac arrest, but the energy drinks may have increased the risk further.
LQTS is a disorder of the heart’s electrical activity that can cause dangerous arrhythmias, leading to fainting, seizures or sudden cardiac arrest. CPVT is a genetic condition that may trigger irregular, fast heartbeats, also leading to fainting, seizures or sudden cardiac arrest, particularly in young people and children. Chorin believes the energy drink connection to cardiac arrest is significant, stating:12
“Although the association could well be purely coincidental, the fact that this connection was observed in patients with long QT syndrome (LQTS) and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, but not in patients with Brugada syndrome (where the sympathetic stimulation of ‘energy drinks’ would not be expected to be proarrhythmic), provides some support to this observation.”
Energy Drinks a ‘Rising Public Health Issue’
Energy drinks are often marketed in ways that suggest they’re beneficial for boosting energy, enhancing physical and mental performance and improving concentration. These marketing strategies frequently highlight the inclusion of vitamins, amino acids and herbal extracts to create a perception of health benefits.
However, many health experts continue to caution that these beverages can pose significant health risks. “Large quantities of caffeine, taurine, sugars, and B-vitamins may be contributing to these outcomes by increasing the heart rate, blood pressure (BP), and contractility of the heart in addition to prolonging the QTc [corrected QT interval],” according to research published in Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine.13
Scientists described energy drink consumption as a “rising public health issue,” noting that’s it’s not only linked to problems with the cardiovascular system but also others, including the gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, psychiatric systems and neurological systems.14
One-third of adolescents aged 12 to 17 consume energy drinks regularly, and these beverages are most common among men between the ages of 18 and 34. Often, energy drinks are consumed along with alcohol or other substances,15 which may increase the risk of adverse health outcomes.
One study looked into the cardio- and cerebrovascular effects of consuming Red Bull, one of the leading brands in the energy drink market. Among 30 young adult women, drinking Red Bull led to a “decrease in the velocities of the carotid arteries and the middle cerebral artery as well as a decrease in cardiac output accompanied by a decrease in heart rate and a slight, although not significant, increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressures.”16
Caffeine and Other Stimulants in Energy Drinks Act Synergistically
The rising popularity of energy drinks led to a corresponding increase in caffeine consumption among children and adolescents. This rose 70% from 1977 to 2009.17 In energy drinks, the caffeine typically occurs alongside other stimulants such as guarana, taurine and L-carnitine.
“The adverse effects of EDs on the cardiovascular system are due to its many different ingredients that have the ability to individually and collectively change the physiology of the cardiovascular system,” researchers explained.18 While often increasing alertness and attention, the drugs also increase heart rate and breathing, along with health problems that may be fatal:19
“Adolescents gravitate toward these beverages to swiftly boost energy levels, enhance alertness, and increase scholastic or athletic performance. Consequences of this consumption pattern have led to a rising incidence of young individuals seeking medical attention in emergency departments due to an array of adverse health outcomes, as documented in results section.
Reports underscore that energy drinks have deleterious effects on a broad spectrum of bodily organs, culminating in mild adversities such as anxiety, gastrointestinal disturbances, dehydration, nervousness, and tachycardia, along with more severe outcomes like rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney injury (AKI), ventricular fibrillation, seizures, acute mania, and stroke.
Furthermore, instances linking energy drink consumption to fatalities have been documented.”
Caffeine, for instance, blocks adenosine receptors, which usually help relax blood vessels. Blocking adenosine receptors also increases levels of adenosine in the blood, which raises sympathetic activity — the part of the nervous system that controls the fight-or-flight response — along with stress hormone levels.20
Guarana, a plant native to the Amazon basin, is another common energy drink ingredient. Its seeds are known to have a high concentration of caffeine, often more than coffee beans, adding to energy drinks’ stimulatory effects.21 Even B vitamins, which play a vital role in your body, could support stimulatory adverse effects when consumed in large quantities alongside caffeine:22
“Despite B-vitamins being regarded as generally beneficial to the human body, large quantities of B-vitamins may likely be included in Eds [energy drinks] due to their function as cofactors for energy utilization and metabolism, therefore possibly augmenting the stimulatory effects of the other ingredients present in these beverages.”
Is Taurine in Energy Drinks a Problem?
Taurine is a type of amino acid, which are the building blocks of proteins. Unlike many other amino acids, taurine is not used to build proteins but rather plays several other critical roles in the body, such as supporting nerve growth, producing bile salts and helping with digestion and maintaining proper hydration.23
Taurine is considered a “conditionally essential,” or semi-essential, amino acid because, while your body can naturally produce it, supplementation might be necessary under certain conditions, such as in infants or in people with specific medical conditions.
Coffee the Christian way: Promised Grounds
Taurine is also commonly added to energy drinks, where it may contribute to caffeine-induced intracellular calcium release.24 This, in turn, may disrupt the normal calcium balance within cells, particularly in the heart and muscles.
“Short term exposure to taurine increases intracellular levels of calcium in vascular smooth muscle cells and the heart, leading to a positive inotropic effect,” according to the Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine study.25
Positive inotropic agents, including caffeine, increase the amount of calcium available in heart cells. This enhanced calcium availability boosts your heart’s ability to contract more forcefully. While this can be beneficial in certain medical situations, excessive stimulation can lead to potential risks. However, dietary taurine has many health benefits.
Taurine acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that may be useful in warding off sarcopenia, an age-related condition characterized by the loss of muscle mass and function.26 Taurine is also the most abundant source of sulfur and is required for a wide range of physiological processes, including the healthy function of your immune system, nervous system,27 metabolism and digestion — but that’s not all.
According to research published in the June 2023 issue of the journal Science, taurine also appears to play an important role in longevity and healthy aging.28 The key to remember is that it’s best to get taurine and other nutrients from whole foods and, if necessary, via high-quality supplements — not synthetic energy drinks.
Taurine is found in animal foods such as seafood, red meat, poultry and dairy products. If you’re a vegan, however, you may want to consider a high-quality taurine supplement, as you’re not getting any from the foods you eat. While your body can synthesize some taurine, it’s not going to be sufficient in the long run, especially as you get older and your body’s ability to synthesize it diminishes. However, energy drinks are not a safe source of taurine or any other vitamin or herb.
How to Boost Your Energy Naturally
If your energy is lagging and you’re struggling with brain fog, energy drinks are not the answer. Optimizing your mitochondrial function is, however. It’s one of the most important strategies to increase your cellular energy, so it’s at the core of improving your health.
Avoiding dietary pitfalls like excess linoleic acid, in the form of vegetable and seed oils, is instrumental in optimizing mitochondrial function. Factors like estrogen and endotoxins can also deplete your cellular energy. You can find more essential tips for mitochondrial health and energy production — that won’t wreck your health like consuming energy drinks — in “Mitochondrial Health Is a Key Countermeasure Against the Global Indoctrination Program.”
- 1, 5, 9 Heart Rhythm June 5, 2024
- 2 Heart Rhythm June 5, 2024, Introduction
- 3 The Business Research Company, Energy Drinks Global Market Report 2024, January 2024
- 4 Johns Hopkins Medicine, Health, Cardiac Arrest
- 6, 8, 11 SciTechDaily June 9, 2024
- 7 Center for Science in the Public Interest May 14, 2024
- 10, 12 Heart Rhythm June 5, 2024, Editorial Commentary
- 13, 14, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25 Rev. Cardiovasc. Med. 2022, 23(3), 83
- 16 Anatol J Cardiol. 2023 Jan; 27(1): 19–25
- 17, 19 Nutrients. 2023 Sep; 15(18): 3922., Introduction
- 23 Cleveland Clinic October 1, 2023
- 26 Curr Protein Pept Sci. 2018 Jul; 19(7): 673–680
- 27 Journal of Biomedical Science August 24, 2010; 17 Article No. S1
- 28 Science June 9, 2023
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
