Non-alcoholic drink could ‘kickstart’ blood clots warns doctor
British Heart Foundation: Understanding blood clots
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Blood clots are healthy and lifesaving when they have the purpose of stopping bleeding and healing cuts. However, they can also form when they are not needed – this type can cause a heart attack, stroke or other serious medical problems. According to Doctor Liakas, Medical Director at Vie Aesthetics, energy drink consumption is implicated in the formation of the latter type.
As the doc explained, poor dietary decisions can encourage the onset of blood clotting and energy drinks are one of the culprits.
“Energy drink consumption interestingly is linked to kickstarting the mechanisms which lead to the formation of blood clots,” he warned.
Research has noted that intake of the popular beverage has been implicated in a host of cardiovascular complications, he said.
“These can include cardiac arrhythmias and myocardial infarction.”
Worryingly, one study, published in the Journal of Surgical Research, found the risk of clotting from energy drink consumption can occur within one hour of intake.
For the study, researchers recruited thirty-two healthy volunteers aged 18-40 years.
They were given a 16 oz of bottled water or a standardised, sugar-free energy drink on two separate occasions, one week apart.
Beverages were consumed after an overnight fast for a 30-minute period.
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Coagulation (clotting) parameters and platelet function were measured before and 60 minutes after consumption.
Platelets are tiny blood cells. If your platelet count is too high, blood clots can form in your blood vessels.
No statistically significant differences in coagulation were detected.
However, compared to water controls, energy drink consumption resulted in a significant increase in platelet aggregation.
The researchers concluded: “Although larger clinical studies are needed to further address the safety and health concerns of these drinks, the increased platelet response may provide a mechanism by which energy drinks increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events.”
What’s more, findings presented at the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2018 found a cohort of young, healthy participants had poorer artery flow-mediated dilation after consuming energy drinks than they had before consuming energy drinks.
Artery flow-mediated dilation indicates blood vessel health.
The researchers in that study expressed a degree of uncertainty over the findings, suggesting more research is needed to determine whether energy drinks are safe to consume.
They said: “As energy drinks are becoming more and more popular, it is important to study the effects of these drinks on those who frequently drink them and better determine what, if any, is a safe consumption pattern.”
The finding is nonethless concerning given the popularity of energy drinks in the UK.
Data crunched by Statista shows that In 2021, a combined 906 million liters of sports and energy drinks were consumed in the United Kingdom. The combined consumption has steadily increased from 2013 to 2019.
How to aid healthy blood clotting
Although blood clots inside the body are bad for your health, clotting can also be an essential part of the healing process.
People with certain medical conditions or nutrient deficiencies may need help to support their blood’s ability to coagulate, explained Doctor Liakas.
According to the doc, foods that aid with blood clots include animal products, seafood, vegetables, and herbs.
“Vitamin K helps maintain the health of your bones and blood. It can promote the body’s ability to clot blood,” explains the doc.
“It is also considered to be one of the vital nutrients for people who have bleeding disorders.”
You can obtain vitamin K from a variety of sources including:
- Soybean products, including oil
- Leafy vegetables,
- Animal products such as chicken, ground beef and eggs
- Certain fruits like blueberries and grapes.
Iron is another mineral that’s always touted for its health benefits, added Doctor Liakas.
Best sources include seafood, nuts and lentils.
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