Chronic Energy Drink Consumption and Subclinical Myocardial Injury Among Healthy Young Adults: Evidence From Cardiac Biomarkers

Energy drinks (EDs) are popular among young adults, but their multi-organ toxicity is still a concern. In this study, the effect of chronic ED use on cardiac biomarkers (troponin I, myoglobin, CK MB) and complete blood count (CBC) parameters was investigated. Thirty healthy males (18–35 years) with chronic EDs (3 or more cans/day for ≥6 months) and 10 healthy males without EDs (no EDs for ≥6 months) were included in a cross-sectional study. Troponin I was measured by Mindray CL900 chemiluminescence analyzer, myoglobin and CK-MB were measured by Ichroma immunofluorescence assays, and CBC parameters were measured by a Mindray BC30. Independent t tests and Mann–Whitney U tests (p<0.05, Bonferroni-corrected where appropriate) were used for the statistical comparisons. ED consumers had significantly higher troponin I (28.4±8.2 vs. 12.3±3.1 pg/mL, p<0.001), myoglobin (68.5±15.3 vs. 42.1±9.8 ng/mL, p<0.001), and CK MB (4.8±1.2 vs. 2.9±0.7 ng/mL, p<0.001). CBC revealed higher WBC (8.4±1.6 vs. 6.2±1.1×10³/μL, p<0.001), neutrophils (5.4±1.3 vs. 3.4±0.9×10³/μL, p<0.001), NLR (2.8±0.9 vs. 1.9±0.5, p=0.003), and platelets (285.6±42.3 vs. 242.8±35.1×10³/μL, p=0.004). Cardiac biomarker concentrations were higher in heavy consumers (>5 cans/day) than in moderate consumers (troponin I, p<0.001; myoglobin, p=0.003; CK-MB, p=0.015). Daily ED volume correlated positively with myoglobin concentration (Pearson r = 0.52, p<0.01). The control group was small (n=10), limiting statistical power. In this sample, chronic ED consumption was associated with increased concentrations of cardiac biomarkers and changes in CBC parameters. These cross-sectional findings do not imply causality.