BLOOD CLOTS can lead to serious problems, so it’s important to lower the chance of getting them. According to a study, a common non-alcoholic beverage can trigger blood clot formation within an hour of intake.
Clots aren’t always bad. In fact, when they form after an injury or cut, they are good because they stop the bleeding. Blood clots can occur naturally in your veins, but when they do not, this can be a sign of major problems. Poor dietary choices may encourage the development of the latter type.
Consuming energy drinks may alarmingly activate the processes that result in blood clots.
According to data published in the Journal of Surgical Research, the consumption of energy drinks has more than doubled in the US during the past ten years.
They pointed out that consumption of the well-known beverage has been linked to a variety of cardiovascular issues, including cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and even “sudden cardiac death.”
Based on these findings, the researchers hypothesized that regular consumption of energy drinks could raise the risk of cardiovascular complications by elevating platelet aggregation and, consequently, thrombosis (blood clot in a vein).
Platelets are small cells in the blood. Blood clots may form in your blood arteries if your platelet count is abnormal.
To test their theory, the researchers found 32 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 40.
On two different occasions, separated by one week, they were offered either a 16 oz. bottle of bottled water or a standardized, sugar-free energy drink.
After an overnight fast, beverages were consumed throughout a 30-minute interval.
Platelet function and coagulation (clotting) parameters were assessed before and 60 minutes after ingestion.
The researchers discovered…
Coagulation differences were not found to be statistically significant.
However, intake of energy drinks significantly increased platelet aggregation when compared to water controls.
Within “one hour of consumption,” there was a “increased platelet activity,” according to the study.
“Although larger clinical studies are needed to further address the safety and health concerns of these drinks, the increased platelet response,” according to the study authors, “may provide a mechanism by which energy drinks increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events.”
General guidelines to lower your risk
The best defense against heart problems is to live a heart-healthy lifestyle.
One of the best ways to avoid getting sick is to stay active and go for regular walks.
In order to reduce your risk of developing a blood clot, the experts recommend drinking plenty of water.
Blood clot signs and symptoms include:
- swelling, redness, warmth, and throbbing or cramping pain in a leg or arm
- Breathlessness, chest pain (worst while inhaling), and coughing up blood.
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