–12 votes
in General Factchecking by Apprentice (1.9k points)
retagged by
Regularly drinking energy drinks will lead to heart failure and they should be avoided at all costs.
by Novice (550 points)
With the original content creator being a doctor and a professional in the field being discussed, this doesn't have to mean that energy drinks are the direct cause of heart problems among all people. Everyone's anatomy varies and in addition to the claim made by Medical News Today (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/energy-drink-heart-attack#outlook) and their outlook on the claim, a person's risk varies when they consume these drinks and could cause the heart and body to react differing ways. Yes, energy drinks may further the damage of a heart to a person but it doesn't have to be the leading/direct cause; it could just be a potential factor.

30 Answers

+1 vote
by Novice (690 points)
Energy drinks can affect the body's electrical system due to the excessive amount of caffeine within the drink. Consumption of these energy drinks regularly can be associated with cardiovascular issues. The National Library of Medicine reports that it can lead to diseases such as tachycardia and myocardial infarction. Medical News Today states that an excessive amount of sugar can also influence the body. There are no reported health benefits to the consumption of these drinks. While this TikTok was technically stating the truth that only drinking these drinks can influence your cardiovascular health, this is an extreme and only consuming these products excessively would have effects on your body.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/energy-drink-heart-attack#energy-drinks-and-the-heart

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9108477/
Exaggerated/ Misleading
+1 vote
by Newbie (480 points)

While the creator and/or person who posted this TikTok claims to be a nurse, we do not know if that is actually true as a viewer. Although if it were and they may have insight on this issue claiming that Redbull can lead to heart failure is a large accusation. After some research, it is found that there is no true evidence that energy drinks can cause heart failure. While it is possible to lead to heart disease or other medical problems such as diabetes. Heart failure is a big claim to make. 

Now I am not claiming this to be an attack or harmful but more misleading. They are giving viewers the idea that if they drink a redbull they will have a heart attack, which is untrue. 

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/energy-drink-heart-attack#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20evidence%20that%20energy%20drinks%20can%20suddenly%20trigger,the%20risk%20of%20heart%20disease.

Exaggerated/ Misleading
+1 vote
by Newbie (380 points)
The original content was shared on a nurse's TikTok. Posts on TikTok are not always reliable since their correctness is not always confirmed. Despite the fact that the designer is a nurse, not everything she shares is accurate. It's a bit of a stretch to say that energy drinks cause heart failure. Energy drinks frequently have unhealthy substances that won't immediately cause heart failure. The post's author also includes links to her health-related items in her bio, which encourages her to write negative information about energy drinks. Energy drinks have been linked to cardiovascular problems when taken frequently, quickly, or in combination with other medications, according to the NCBI. The NCBI also concluded that there is insufficient data to establish a link between energy drinks and heart failure.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5714807/
Exaggerated/ Misleading
0 votes
by Apprentice (1.2k points)

While energy drinks can be linked to heart failure, it is a bold statement to say that they "will" lead to heart failure. According to BMJ.com, a 21-year-old man was diagnosed with heart and liver failure as a result of his energy drink consumption. His consumption was more than "regular" consumption, however. The 21-year-old drank 4 500ml energy drinks every day for two years before his diagnosis. The daily recommended caffeine consumption is 400ml; he was drinking 3x of the recommended amount for 2 years before experiencing adverse effects.  The original claim was also posted on TikTok, which is not a reliable source. while the user is believed to be a doctor, that does not mean that the regular consumption of energy drinks will cause heart failure. 

https://www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/heavy-energy-drink-consumption-linked-to-heart-failure-in-a-young-man/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20045678#:~:text=Up%20to%20400%20milligrams%20%28mg%29%20of%20caffeine%20a%20day%20appears%20to%20be%20safe%20for%20most%20healthy%20adults.%20That%27s%20roughly%20the%20amount%20of%20caffeine%20in%20four%20cups%20of%20brewed%20coffee%2C%2010%20cans%20of%20cola%20or%20two%20%22energy%20shot%22%20drinks.

Exaggerated/ Misleading
0 votes
by Apprentice (1.1k points)
While it is easy to assume the claim that regularly drinking energy drinks leads to heart failure is true because the TikTok was created by a doctor. Jefferson Health talks about how an excess in energy drinks can cause health problems and how it is important to pay attention to how you are feeling. It also discusses the importance of the intake of caffeine. Drinking too much can cause problems, so it is important to watch your intake. So, there is not a direct link to heart failure, but it is important to listen to your body and watch how much caffeine you drink. So while the claim is not completely false, it is misleading.
Exaggerated/ Misleading
by Genius (41.7k points)
+1
Do you have any sources to support your fact-check? Solid fact-checks cite their information and include hyperlinks. Thanks!
+2 votes
by Apprentice (1.6k points)

This claim is exaggerated/misleading. There have not been enough studies done to prove that drinking energy drinks will directly lead to heart failure. That being said, NIH.gov has a study done on excessive consumption of energy drinks and their effects. They found that there could be a link between energy drinks and cardiovascular events, but no direct link. Even with this link, the consumption of energy drinks has to be extreme. The man in the study had been drinking 8-10 cans for two weeks prior to his hospital admission. It was also noted that he was experiencing dyspnea three days into this behavior, yet continued drinking more. 

Additionally, the TikTok account that posted this, Nootropic.health, only has content of discouraging people from energy drinks with fear while suggesting natural sources such as honey, teas and NZT-48's Lion's Mane Mushroom. This Lion's Mane Mushroom is a vitamin supplement. The link is promoted in their videos and posted in their bio. It seems that they are making these videos to promote this product. Forbes has a list of benefits and side effects of Lion's Mane mushroom. Things such as increases in energy levels and regulates blood pressure. Some side effects include gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea or a skin rash. 

Exaggerated/ Misleading
+1 vote
by Novice (960 points)

The original creator looks like they work in the medical profession. Whether they are a nurse or doctor it seems like they have some background in medicine. Although this doesn't make their claims 100% true. As I was looking into the original source, a Tik Tok, I realized that there weren't any sources provided. Which just contributes to its misleading factors. An article by posted by the National Library of Medicine says that "In the literature, the excessive consumption of energy drinks has been associated with cardiovascular events such as tachycardia, myocardial infarction, and death.The tachycardic and arrhythmic effects of energy drinks have been proven by some well-designed studies." This quote backs up the original statement but adds more depth. 

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9108477/

Exaggerated/ Misleading
–1 vote
by Apprentice (1.0k points)

Energy drinks do not outright cause heart issues. Medicalnewstoday.com says, "There is no evidence that energy drinks can suddenly trigger heart attacks in people without health issues. Instead, energy drink consumption is a risk factor for heart disease and possibly for medical conditions, such as diabetes, that increase the risk of heart disease." A healthy person drinking an energy drink likely won't experience any dangerous life altering effects however they should be avoided by those with health conditions. This claim was likely exaggerated/misleading.

Exaggerated/ Misleading
–1 vote
by Novice (700 points)

According to Medical News Today, there is no evidence that energy drinks can suddenly cause heart attacks in people with no pre-existing health issues. The writer says consuming energy drinks "can increase the risk of high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, and other heart disease risk factors. These risk factors increase the risk of a heart attack, but energy drinks alone are unlikely to cause a heart attack without other significant risk factors".

While there may be some truth to the original content creator's argument, the whole truth is a different story. 

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/energy-drink-heart-attack#can-they-cause-a-heart-attack

Exaggerated/ Misleading
+1 vote
by Champion (14.6k points)

This claim is misleading. Energy drinks can cause heart problems, but it is not a direct cause of one's heart failure. According to Medical News Today, "Energy drink consumption may disrupt the heart’s electrical system. This can increase the risk for heart arrhythmias, which are a risk factor for strokes and cardiac arrest." As of 2021, there has only been one case that energy drink consumption  was linked to heart failure. Additionally, energy drinks are not 100% toxic to the body. If they were, they would not be drinkable. Yes, it is better for your body to avoid drinking them due to the negative traits, but there are benefits to drinking energy drinks. Studies show that "The large amount of caffeine in energy drinks provides the consumer with the desirable effects of improved memory, increased alertness and elevated mood." Also, upper body muscle, memory and concentration was also improved while drinking energy drinks.

Trusted Sourc the risk of heart arrhythmias, which are a risk factor for strokes and cardiac arrest.Trusted Sourthe risk of heart arrhythmias, which are a risk factor for strokes and cardiac arrest.
Exaggerated/ Misleading

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