Recent study linking energy drink consumption to increased heart contraction rates misleading and does not document a negative effect on heart function, Monster Beverage says

Nevin Barich

CORONA, California , December 3, 2013 (press release) – Monster Beverage Corporation (Nasdaq: MNST) today released the following statement in response to a paper presented at the Radiological Society of North America's annual meeting entitled "Caffeine and Taurine Containing Energy Drink Improves Systolic Left-ventricular Contractility in Healthy Volunteers Assessed by Strain Analysis Using Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Tagging":

The December 2nd presentation to the Radiological Society of North America by Jonas Dorner, a radiologist in training at the University of Bonn, is alarmist and misleading, according to Monster Beverage independent medical consultants Robert Arnot, M.D. and Michael H. Forman, M.D. The paper offers no new information and confirms what scientists have known for decades: Taurine helps the heart function more efficiently by improving the pumping force of the heart without any changes in blood pressure or heart rate. This effect of taurine, called contractility, is widely considered to be beneficial. In fact, peer reviewed studies demonstrate that taurine has been used effectively to treat patients with congestive heart failure and to improve athletic performance.

The author's study does not document a negative effect on heart function. Although he concludes that the consumption of energy drinks should be restricted based on his study, this conclusion is unsupported by his data and highly misleading. No evidence exists that increased contractility causes arrhythmia.

Additionally, the statement regarding energy drinks by author Jonas Dorner that, "The amount of caffeine is up to three times higher than in other caffeinated beverages like coffee or cola…" is false and inaccurate. Ounce per ounce, leading energy drinks contain about half the caffeine of coffeehouse coffee, such as Starbucks. In commenting on the author's false statement about caffeine, Forbes also reports today: "…this study does not document any harmful or lasting effects from consuming energy drinks." 

Monster Beverage Corporation

Based in Corona, California, Monster Beverage Corporation is a marketer and distributor of energy drinks and alternative beverages. The Company markets and distributes Monster Energy® brand energy drinks, Monster Energy Extra Strength Nitrous Technology® brand energy drinks, Java Monster® brand non-carbonated coffee + energy drinks, X-Presso Monster® brand non-carbonated espresso energy drinks, M3® Monster Energy® Super Concentrate energy drinks, Monster Rehab® non-carbonated energy drinks with electrolytes, Ubermonster™ energy drinks, Worx Energ®y shots, and Peace Tea® iced teas, as well as Hansen's® natural sodas, apple juice and juice blends, multi-vitamin juices, Junior Juice® beverages, Blue Sky® beverages, Hubert's® Lemonades, Vidration® vitamin enhanced waters, and PRE® Probiotic drinks. For more information, visit www.monsterbevcorp.com.

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.