Red Alert: Energy Drink Thickens Blood

Beverage may give you both wings and heart trouble
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 15, 2008 1:31 PM CDT
Red Alert: Energy Drink Thickens Blood
Winner Kirby Chambliss competes in The Red Bull Air Race held over the Detroit River between Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, Sunday June 1. 2008.    (AP Photo/The Canadian Press,Dave Chidley)

Drinking Red Bull could lead to heart problems, the London Times reports. In a small study—30 Australian college students took part—downing even one can of the hypercaffeinated energy drink increased the risk of blot clots. In short, the young Red Bull enthusiasts developed a condition that resembled cardiovascular disease.

“People who already have existing cardiovascular disease may want to talk to their physician before they drink Red Bull in future,” said the lead researcher. Red Bull has been linked to heart trouble before: a team of US researchers found last year that it may boost heart rates and blood pressure, and earlier this year a UK teen was hospitalized for heart palpitations after drinking eight cans. (More energy drink stories.)

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