The Effects of Energy Drink Consumption on Kidney and Liver Function: A Comparative Study

The current study aimed to investigate the potential health impacts associated with Energy Drink (ED) consumption and its effects on general health, liver function, and kidney function among students at Jazan University. EDs contain a variety of ingredients such as taurine, arginine, caffeine, acidity regulators, B vitamins, vitamin C, herbal extracts, and sugar. Previous studies have reported that EDs contain more caffeine content more a cup of coffee. Fifty-seven volunteer female students from the same socioeconomic background were eligible for the study based on their ED consumption habits. The students were divided into four groups: the control group (1) which did not consume EDs (19 students), group (2) which consumed 2 - 3 cans per week (19 students), group (3) which consumed 4 - 7 cans per week (14 students), and group (4) which consumed more than 7 cans per week (5 students). Five milliliters of venous blood were drawn from all subjects to determine ALT, AST, and GGT levels for liver function tests and creatinine, urea, uric acid, and BUN levels for kidney function tests. The results of the kidney function analysis showed that uric acid levels significantly increased (P 0.05) in all groups compared to the control group. The liver function analysis illustrated that, compared to the control group, only AST was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in groups 1 and 2. There was no significance in ALT and GGT in all groups. Overall, the study found that long-term ED consumption had a significant relationship to increased uric acid and AST concentrations, while urea and BUN decreased significantly. Further research is needed to understand the long-term health implications of ED consumption.

Degradation Mechanism of Lacquered Tinplate in Energy Drink by in-situ EIS and EN

The corrosion process of phenolic epoxy coated tinplate in energy drink was investigated by in-situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy（EIS） and electrochemical noise（EN） techniques. The experimental results indicate that the degradation process of novolac epoxy coated tinplate in energy drink can be divided into three main stages： organic coating wetted by the beverage; corrosion initiation beneath the organic coating; and corrosion extension process. It was proposed that the tin coating and carbon steel were mainly corroded by organic acids in energy drink through the pores of the organic coating. After the tin coating was corroded, the carbon steel started to corrode due to its higher electrochemical activity and became to be the dominated corrosion reaction.

ST elevation myocardial infarction in a young patient after ingestion of caffeinated energy drink and ecstasy

BACKGROUND:Caffeinated energy drinks are widely used worldwide.They are associated with a variety of adverse effects and are of concern to health authorities,yet there is still scarce information about their adverse effects and inadequate awareness among medical personnel.METHODS:Case description and discussion of a patient presenting to the emergency room after overdose of energy drinks in combination with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine(MDMA).RESULTS:Despite best medical efforts,the patient died of fatal cardiac arrhythmias.There is a paucity of information about adverse effects of energy drinks.CONCLUSION:Although energy drinks are widely used,there is a lack of awareness in the population and medical staff about their hazards.

Sleep quality, sleep patterns and consumption of energy drinks and other caffeinated beverages among Peruvian college students

Objectives: To evaluate sleep quality in relation to lifestyle characteristics including consumption of energy drinks and other caffeinated beverages among Peruvian college students. Methods: A total of 2458 college students were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire that collected information about a variety of behaviors including consumption of energy drinks, caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. Logistic regression procedures were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for poor sleep quality in relation to lifestyle characteristics. Results: A total of 965 males and 1493 female students were enrolled in the study. 52.0% of males and 58.4% of females experienced poor sleep quality (p = 0.002). Females (OR = 1.28;95% CI 1.08-1.51) and those who reported consuming ≥3 stimulant beverages per week (OR = 1.88;95% CI 1.42-2.50) had higher odds of poor sleep quality. Students who consumed 1-19 alcoholic beverages monthly (OR = 1.90;95% CI 1.46-2.49) had a higher odds of long sleep latency. Consumption of ≥3 stimulant beverages per week was associated with daytime dysfunction due to sleep loss (OR = 1.45;95% CI 1.10-1.90), short sleep duration (OR = 1.49;95% CI 1.14-1.94), and use of sleep medication (OR = 2.10;95% CI 1.35-3.28). Conclusions: Consumption of energy drinks, other caffeinated beverages and alcoholic beverages are risk factors of poor sleep quality. Increased awareness of these associations should promote interventions to improve students’ lifestyle habits, including consumption of alcoholic and caffeinated beverages, and overall health.

Effects of energy drinks on the cardiovascular system

Throughout the last decade, the use of energy drinks has been increasingly looked upon with caution as potentially dangerous due to their perceived strong concentration of caffeine aside from other substances such as taurine, guarana, and L-carnitine that are largely unknown to the general public. In addition, a large number of energy drink intoxications have been reported all over the world including cases of seizures and arrhythmias. In this paper, we focus on the effect of energy drinks on the cardiovascular system and whether the current ongoing call for the products' sales and regulation of their contents should continue.

Violent and Risk-Taking Behaviors Associated with Intake of Energy Drinks Mixed with Alcohol and Perceptions of This Consumption among Children and Adolescents in Costa Rica

Introduction: The consumption of energy drinks and its mix with alcohol has been associated with negative and violent behaviors in youngsters. Objective: To determine the risk-taking behaviors associated with the consumption of energy drinks mixed with alcohol in Costa Rican adolescents. Methods: A mixed cross-sectional study was performed with a population of 2667 students of 64 educative centers in 2016. Descriptive statistics were performed with the program SPSS 20.0 and a value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The third part of the study population is usually a consumer of energy drinks (30%) and 3% make use of drinks mixed with alcohol. The children and adolescents, who consume energy-alcohol mixed drinks, are more likely to present risk-taking behaviors than those who do not consume these mixed beverages: combined use of medicines to get high;cocaine consumption, consumption of cement/glue, consumption of marijuana, physical violence (fighting), use of weapons, suicidal ideation, deliberate self-harm, low educational expectation, sexual intercourses, cyberbullying and school apathy. The students perceived the intake of energy beverages as of low risk for their health. They also agree that frequent consumption is because drinks have good flavors and nice logo designs and the ability to stay awake and with more energy for longer periods of time in order to improve in academic homework, sports performance and to endure more the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Conclusions: Public health policies should consider controlling the publicity aimed to children and adolescents regarding the marketing of energy and alcoholic drinks.

Effects of energy and sports drinks on tooth structures and restorative materials

Sports and energy drinks are consumed by more peoplethan ever. Sports and energy drinks may enhance physical resistance, stimulate metabolism, prevent rehydration and replace electrolytes during high activity efforts. However, these drinks often have a low pH and are acidic, which can erode enamel and dentin, and increase dentine hypersensitivity. In addition to the adverse effects of sports and energy drinks on tooth structures, they often have the potential to damage restorative materials. These drinks often contain artificial colors which have potential to discolor resin composite materials and glass ionomers. The acidic nature of these drinks could also lead to a degradation, increase in wear, and roughening of the surface of the restorative materials. Many of the negative consequences of sport and energy drinks can be related to their overconsumption among children and teenagers. Patients should be advised to have a healthy diet, and consume soft and energy drinks in moderation, to avoid any negative dental or health consequences. The overconsumption of sports and energy drinks which are high in sugar and have the lowest pH are most likely to cause avoidable dental problems.

Rhabdomyolysis after the Intake of Illicit Drugs as a Cause of Acute Renal Failure

Background: Rhabdomyolysis (RM) is striate muscle-cell damage with the release of intracellular substances to the circulation—myoglobin, muscular enzymes, potassium, etc., with or without the development of acute renal injury. RM due to the intake of illicit and controlled substances, including cocaine, amphetamine and its derivates, cannabis, and alcohol abuse is a common cause of acute renal failure in adolescents and adults. Aim: to alert clinicians to the need of early diagnosis and treatment of RM due to the intake of controlled substances and energy drinks. Case Presentation: We describe a 20-year-old male patient with acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis after the intake of controlled substances, energy drinks, physical efforts and dehydration. The renal biopsy revealed acute tubular injury. After rehydration, alkalization, temporary dialysis treatment, intravenous corticosteroids and symptomatic treatment the patient restored renal function. Conclusion: RM can be a severe life-threatening complication of the intake of controlled substances combined with strenuous physical activity, energy drinks and dehydration. The described case represents a typical scenario of RM developing secondary to controlled substance abuse in combination with alcohol and strenuous physical activity. The prompt diagnosis and the timely initiation of supportive (rehydration and alkalization) and corticosteroid therapy and the early dialysis lead to fast resolution of renal failure. The clinicians should keep in mind illicit drugs, alcohol and energy drinks and physical efforts as possible triggers of RM and acute kidney injury, especially in young people.

Molecular Docking Studies of Alpinia galanga Phytoconstituents for Psychostimulant Activity

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for sending signals from the central nervous system. It allows human beings to stay attentive and focused. Caffeine, the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world, is known to improve alertness by enhancing dopamine signaling in the brain. EnXtra&reg;, an Alpinia galanga extract has been clinically proven to promote alertness however the mechanism for such action required elucidation. The current study was designed to explore the mechanism for the neurocognitive enhancing property of EnXtra&reg;by the in-silico interaction of its potential compounds with various targets involved in such process namely Dopamine and Acetylcholinesterase (AchE). As evident by the outcomes of the study, active compounds of EnXtra&reg;can block the dopamine reuptake thereby increasing the dopamine levels which further can enhance the visuospatial performance and mental clarity, leading to improved mental alertness. At the same time, its strong effect on Acetylcholinesterase receptors is indicative of its nootropic potential.