Abstract:
Energy drinks contain a wide variety of ingredients including caffeine, for which
there have been conflicting reports regarding its effects on intraocular pressure (IOP) and blood
pressure. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of an energy drink (Red Bull®)
on the IOP and blood pressure of healthy young adults.
Methods: Thirty healthy university students of either gender, aged 18–30 (mean 23.20 ± 2.81)
years were randomly selected to participate in this study. The subjects were randomly divided
into two groups (experimental and control) and were asked to abstain from caffeine for 48 hours
prior to and during the study. Baseline IOP and blood pressure were measured. The experimental
group (n = 15) consumed one can of the energy drink (containing 85 mg of caffeine in
250 mL) and measurements were repeated at 30, 60, and 90 minutes, while the control group
drank 250 mL of water and were tested over the same time period.
Results: When compared with baseline, a significant decrease (P , 0.05) in mean IOP at 60
and 90 minutes was observed in the experimental group. There was no corresponding change
in systolic or diastolic blood pressure.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that energy drinks (ie, Red Bull) produce a significant reduction
in IOP but have no effect on blood pressure. These findings may be interpreted as reflecting the
effect of the combination of caffeine and taurine in the Red Bull energy drink. This effect may
result from the known hypotensive effect of taurine, and warrants further study.
