Red Bull gives you... heart problems?
Categories: Teens & tweens, Medical conditions, Alcohol & drugs, Mealtime
Red Bull, the popular energy drink may give you wings in more ways than one -- according to an Australian study, they might get you a harp as well and a new, fluffy home in the clouds. Researchers found that even one can of sugar-free Red Bull appears to make blood more "sticky," increasing the risk of blood clots."After one can it seemed to turn the young individual into one with more of the type of profile you would expect to see with someone with cardiovascular disease," said Scott Willoughby, of the Cardiovascular Research Centre at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Adelaide University. "People who already have existing cardiovascular disease may want to talk to their physician before they drink Red Bull in future."
"The study does not show effects which would go beyond that of drinking a cup of coffee," says Red Bull spokeswoman Linda Rychter. "Therefore, the reported results were to be expected and lie within the normal physiological range." Some of students that participated in the study said they drink as many as eight cans of Red Bull a night when they want to stay awake to study; the cans already warn customers not to drink more than two a day.
Although the study was done with college students, I know that a lot of high school students -- and kids even younger -- drink Red Bull. It might be worthwhile to talk to them to make sure they don't drink too much.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kathy 8-17-2008 @ 7:31PM
My grandson (age 24), when he drinks just one can of Red Bull, will spend a sleepless night -- he tries doing about 150 push-ups, going for walks, etc. Nothing works; he is just extremely wired. Whatever is in Red Bull is more than just drinking one cup of coffee!! I can't believe it is just the caffeine.
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Kirstie 8-17-2008 @ 11:03PM
I'm a huge fan of Red Bull, simply because I like the way it tastes - it does little to make me any more awake or energetic. If I drink the big can, though (the 16.9 oz ones) I get very shaky.
I wonder, though - maybe this is good for me. =] As someone with Von Willenbrand's, maybe a little more clotting is a good thing. Or at least that sounds logical enough to convince my mother to get me a case when we go food shopping before I move back to school next weekend. =]
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NADIA 8-19-2008 @ 12:51PM
MINE KIDS 3 AND 6 BEEN DRINKING RED BULL BUT AFTER I DID RESORCH ON RED BULL I DON'T THINK KIDS SHUT BE GIVEN ENERGY DRINKS AT ALL
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ann 8-20-2008 @ 8:16AM
dude energy drinks r so disgusting...i cant believe every1 didnt kno that they are bad 4 ur heart..drinks liek monster...and red bull...and drinks like that should be banned
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