FDA Investigating Connection Between Energy Drinks and Heart Risks
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David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images(NEW YORK) — The Food and Drug Administration is investigating possible links between energy drinks and sudden death.
According to a study presented to the American Heart Association, there is a connection. Energy drinks, which can have up to three times the amount of caffeine as colas, were found to raise blood pressure and change heart rhythm in a way that was associated with life-threatening arrythmias.
The study found that energy drinks could increase the risk of sudden cardiac death.
Young adults consume as many as half of the energy drinks in the United States.
The FDA regulates the amount of caffeine in soft drinks because they are classified as food. Because energy drinks are considered dietary supplements, caffeine levels are not regulated.
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