Energy drink intake and metabolic syndrome: a prospective investigation in young adults

Background and aims: There are concerns that energy drinks (EDs) are contributing to upward trends in overweight, obesity, and cardiometabolic conditions in young people. We investigated cross-sectional and prospective associations between frequency of ED-intake in young-adults and (i) body mass index (BMI) and (ii) Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and its components.

Methods and results: Participants from the Raine Study at 20-years (n = 1236) and 22 years (n = 1117) self-reported ED-intake, dietary intake, and physical activity, and had blood and anthropometric measures taken. Regression modelling examined associations between ED-intake and BMI, MetS and its components. There was a positive, but not significant, cross-sectional association with BMI and likelihood of MetS with frequent ED use at 20-years (BMI: β = 0.19; MetS: OR = 1.11) and 22-years (BMI: β = 0.51; MetS: OR = 1.28). There were no associations in the prospective analysis. After adjustment, significant associations existed between occasional ED-intake and lower HDL-cholesterol (β = -0.07) and higher fasting triglycerides (β = 0.16) at 20-years, and lower fasting triglycerides at 22-years (β = -0.10), but no significant associations in the prospective analyses.

Conclusion: No significant associations existed between frequency of ED-intake, and BMI, MetS or its individual components over two years (ages 20-22 years). Future studies should include volume of EDs consumed and longer follow-up.