This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Energy drink consumption associated with TBI in teens
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Teenagers who reported experiencing a traumatic brain injury in the past year were seven times more likely to have consumed at least five energy drinks in the past week than those without such injuries, according to recent data.
“We’ve found a link between increased brain injuries and the consumption of energy drinks or energy drinks mixed with alcohol,” Michael D. Cusimano, MD, PhD, professor in the department of surgery at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, said in a press release. “Energy drinks, such as Red Bull and Rockstar, contain high levels of caffeine and change the chemical state of the body, which can prevent people from getting back on track after a traumatic brain injury.”
Michael D. Cusimano
From November 2012 to June 2013, Cusimano and colleagues surveyed 10,272 seventh to 12th graders, aged 11 to 20 years, who completed an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. The researchers defined mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a hit to the head resulting in loss of consciousness for at least 5 minutes or hospitalization for at least 1 night.
The researchers found that those reporting TBI injury in the past 12 months (n = 623) were significantly more likely to have consumed at least five energy drinks in the past 7 days (adjusted OR = 6.78; 95% CI, 2.8-16.43) and to have consumed alcohol in the past month (aOR = 3.65; 95% CI, 2.59-5.14) than those not reporting TBI during that period. In addition, researchers found that those who reported TBI more than 12 months earlier were significantly more likely of having consumed at least five energy drinks in the past 7 days (aOR = 1.49; 95% CI, 0.66-3.33) and for consuming alcohol in the past month (aOR = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.21-1.96) than those without a history of TBI.
Cusimano and colleagues observed an even greater association between TBI and energy drinks mixed with alcohol. Those reporting TBI in the past year had an adjusted OR of 7.7 (95% CI, 3.81-15.59) for consuming at least six energy drinks mixed with alcohol in the past month vs. respondents without a TBI in the past 12 months.
“This is significant because energy drinks have previously been associated with general injuries, but not specifically with TBI,” Cusimano said in the release. “Brain injuries among adolescents are particularly concerning because their brains are still developing.” – by Will Offit
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts