Drinking four cans of energy drinks a day can lead to heart and kidney failure! British Medical Journal case

Energy drinks are very popular among young people around the world, often using "refreshing" and "eliminating fatigue" as advertising gimmicks. However, in recent years, more and more studies have found that energy drinks are actually harmful to the body, especially the cardiovascular system.

Recently, a case reported in a subsidiary of the British Medical Journal issued a warning against the excessive consumption of functional drinks.

The patient was a 21-year-old male who was eventually admitted to the intensive care unit after 4 months of exertional tachypnea, supine dyspnea, and weight loss.

It is reported that the man drinks an average of 4 cans of 500 ml of energy drinks every day, and this habit has been maintained for about 2 years. Each can of energy drink contains 160 mg of caffeine, taurine and other ingredients.

The man said he had experienced indigestion, tremors and palpitations, but did not seek medical attention. Three months before admission, he interrupted his studies due to discomfort and lethargy.

Laboratory tests, imaging studies and electrocardiograms showed heart and kidney failure, which was so severe that a double organ transplant was required.

After completely stopping the consumption of energy drinks and receiving medication, the patient's heart function and symptoms improved significantly. However, the physician who reported the case pointed out that it is difficult to predict clinical recovery or the possibility of relapse.

The reporter pointed out that the excessive stimulation of the sympathetic nerves by caffeine in energy drinks may be a causative factor, but more should be understood about the effects of energy drinks and their components.

Coke also contains caffeine, about 130 mg per liter of cola.

Yang Li and others from Peking University First Hospital have reported cases where drinking large amounts of cola led to hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, and even acute kidney injury.

Most of these patients are very young and are "cola fans". For example, a 36-year-old woman has been drinking 2 to 2.5 liters of cola a day for 3 years.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in the United States suggests that functional drinks can prolong the QT interval and increase blood pressure in the short term.

Source: China Circulation Magazine