Chronic consumption of energy drinks and the risk of developing metabolic syndrome in rats

The consumption of energy drinks (EDs) has notably increased, particularly among adolescents and young adults, due to their perceived benefits in enhancing physical and cognitive performance. However, growing evidence points to their potential adverse health effects, raising concerns regarding their safety. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the metabolic impacts of three commercially available EDs on male albino rats. A total of 42 rats were randomly assigned into seven groups (n = 6 per group). The control group received a standard basal diet, while the remaining groups administered the three EDs types (Red Bull, Power Horse, and Black) at doses of 10 or 20 mL/kg body weight, twice daily via oral gavage, over a period of eight weeks. At the end of the experiment, body weight gain, adiposity index, and multiple biochemical and physiological parameters were assessed. Serum analyses were performed to evaluate blood glucose levels, metabolic hormones (insulin and leptin), kidney function markers, liver enzymes, lipid profile, cardiovascular risk index, calcium levels, bone mineral density (BMD), and bone mineral concentration (BMC). The findings revealed that energy drink consumption, particularly at the higher dose (20 mL/kg bw) and with the third EDs type, induced significant adverse effects compared to controls. These included elevated blood glucose, leptin, liver enzymes, lipid profile, cardiovascular risk index, and serum calcium, alongside reduced insulin levels, High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), albumin, globulin, total protein, BMD, and BMC. Histopathological analysis of liver tissues showed evidence of cellular atrophy and structural damage. In conclusion, chronic intake of high doses of EDs may contribute to the development of metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, cardiovascular risk, and osteoporosis. These findings underscore the need for public health awareness and regulation of EDs consumption, especially among vulnerable populations.