Discussion
hypertrophy
HYPERTROPHY, ARTERIAL STIFFNESS, LEFT VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION, EVENTS, ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the acute effects of ED consumption on 24-h ABPM in healthy children and adolescents. In total, 17 study participants were included in the final analysis. The results of this study revealed a significantly altered 24-h ambulatory blood pressure profile, including a significantly higher 24-h SBP and DBP, after the single, bodyweight-adjusted ED consumption. In addition, 24-h PWV, a marker of arterial stiffness, tended to be higher after acute ED consumption.EDs contain multiple ingredients. In the following, their potential effects on the pediatric cardiovascular system will be elaborated further. High amounts of caffeine (32 mg/100 mL) and its derivates (guarana extract, 10 mg/100 mL) were present in the ED used for this study.The results presented in this study are in line with the findings by Franks et al.The duration of sleep was significantly shorter after the acute ED consumption. However, sleep quality did not differ significantly between both beverages. As caffeine increases cortisol secretion, it is proposed to influence the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and, thus, the sleep-wake cycle.Regarding the 24-h blood pressure profile of study participants in this study, the significantly shorter duration of sleep after the ED intake, potentially due to a caffeine-induced increase of cortisol secretion,In addition to caffeine, EDs often include taurine, glucuronolactone, and B vitamins. While the aminoacidic taurine is thought to decrease blood pressure,The results of this study reveal that the consumption of a single, bodyweight-adjusted ED dosage is linked with a significantly higher median 24-h SBP (+5.26 mmHg) and DBP (+3.45 mmHg), compared to a placebo beverage, in healthy children and adolescents. A meta-analysis by Conen et al. suggests that an increase of 10 mmHg in 24-h SBP is connected with a 27% higher risk for cardiovascular events.Moreover, chronic ED consumption could result in arterial hypertension and hence increased left ventricular afterload, ultimately leading to left ventricular dysfunction and hypertrophy.As a survey conducted by the EFSA suggests, ED consumption is very popular among children and adolescents, which could pose potential public health concerns considering the demonstrated results of this study.The results of the EDUCATE-Study (Energy-Drinks—Unexplored Cardiovascular Alterations in TEens and TwEens) can be regarded as noteworthy since they offer policymakers with long-needed data on the cardiovascular effects of acute ED consumption in children and adolescents.Strengths and limitations of the EDUCATE-Study have already been covered in previous publications conducted by our department and will be shortly summarized in the following.