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‘Energy shots’ raise glucose, insulin levels in healthy teens
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Healthy adolescents who consume small-format, caffeinated energy drinks experience impaired whole-body glucose disposal, and excessive consumption of energy drinks over time may increase metabolic risk, according to study findings presented at the World Diabetes Congress.
Heidi Virtanen, a graduate student at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and colleagues analyzed data from 20 healthy adolescents aged 13 to 19 years (mean age, 17 years; 10 boys; mean BMI, 22.6 kg/m²) who abstained from caffeine and vigorous exercise for 24 to 48 hours and fasted for 10 to 12 hours. Researchers assigned participants to consume either one 5-Hour Energy drink or one 5-Hour Energy Decaf drink in a randomized, double blind treatment order (both drinks are sugar-free). Researchers collected blood samples at baseline and 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after beverage consumption to assess plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, calculating area under the curve (AUC) and using a paired t test to compare between beverages. Participants underwent an oral glucose tolerance test 40 minutes after consuming each beverage.
After consuming the caffeinated energy shot, participants saw a mean 24.6% AUC increase for blood glucose and a 26.4% AUC increase for insulin.
“Results show that consumption of a caffeine-containing energy drink results in a 20% to 30% increase in insulin and glucose levels in response to a glucose load,” Virtanen said in a press release. “Since caffeine persists in the system for 4 to 6 hours after consumption, continuous insulin resistance associated with regular caffeine-containing energy drink consumption in adolescents could contribute to increased metabolic risk in susceptible individuals later in life through persistent interference with their regular glucose metabolism.” – by Regina Schaffer
Reference:
Virtanen H. Abstract #1046. Presented at: World Diabetes Congress; Nov. 30-Dec. 4, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.