So Maybe That Monster Drink Really Is One?

Are you one of the many who have replaced their coffee routine for energy drinks?  You may want to reconsider.  NBC News reports on a new study that found drinking 32 ounces of an energy drink is linked with potentially harmful changes in blood pressure and heart function that are beyond those seen with caffeine alone.

The increase in popularity – 500+ energy drink products on the market - is matched by a significant rise in energy drink-associated emergency department visits and even deaths.

Caffeine in doses up to 400 milligrams --about five cups of coffee-- is generally recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration. While energy drinks usually contain caffeine, researchers writing in the Journal of the American Heart Association say little is known about the safety of some of their other ingredients including what’s described as a proprietary "energy blend" of taurine and other ingredients.

Some volunteers who underwent electrocardiograms 24 hours after consuming an energy drink were found to have readings associated with life-threatening irregularities in the heartbeat.