Doctors in the UK are warning about serious health risks associated with energy drink consumption. According to a new study, some of these drinks can contain up to 500mg of caffeine, far exceeding the recommended daily limit of 400mg. In addition to high caffeine levels, energy drinks also contain ingredients that raise blood pressure, such as taurin, ginseng, and guarana, which can negatively affect metabolism and the cardiovascular system.
The medical journal BMJ Case Reports published the case of a patient who, despite being in good health and having an active lifestyle, suffered a stroke. The 54-year-old man experienced a sudden stroke. His blood pressure was extremely high—254/150 mmHg. Doctors discovered that the patient was consuming between 1200 and 1300mg of caffeine daily, three times the recommended amount. It turned out he was drinking eight high-energy cans every day to stay awake for work.
Physicians linked his condition to excessive energy drink consumption. A few weeks after he stopped, his blood pressure returned to normal. However, the effects of the stroke, such as numbness on the left side of his body, persist to this day, eight years later. "I didn't realize the dangers that energy drinks posed," the man admitted.
Consultant doctor Sunil Manthri urged his colleagues to be more aware of the impact of energy drinks and to ask patients about their use during routine check-ups, especially when young patients present with heart or vascular problems.
