(Bloomberg) — All too often, when employees reach that 3 p.m. slump, they reach for an energy drink to power them through the rest of the work day. Good for productivity perhaps, but —according to one analysis — bad for overall health. Previously linked to deaths and hospitalizations, energy drinks may boost blood pressure and lead to an erratic heartbeat, a meta-study finds.
An analysis of seven previous studies showed the beverages appeared to disturb the heart’s natural rhythm, which over time may lead to an irregular heartbeat or death and raise blood pressure. Today’s findings were presented at the American Heart Association meeting in New Orleans.