Friday, 15 Aug, 2008 Health & Fitness

According to the latest research, the popular energy drink Red Bull can increase the risk of heart damage. The participants of the study were university students aged between 20 and 24. Researchers found that just one sugar free can of Red Bull raised the level of stickiness of the blood and could lead to the formation of blood clots.

The target market of the caffeinated drink is Austrian students. After drinking a can of Red Bull scientists noticed that Austrian students had nearly the same cardiovascular profile as someone who has heart disease.

The company producing the drink denied the negative effect of Red Bull, which is, by the way, marketed in 143 countries around the world. According to the company's officials the drink passed several scientific tests that proved its safeness. They noted that the drink was not banned in any country where it had been introduced.

But according to Dr. Scott Willoughby, of the Cardiovascular Research Center at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Adelaide University, the results of the study were alarming.

"After one can it seemed to turn the young individual into one with more of the type of profile you would expect to see with someone with cardiovascular disease. People who already have existing cardiovascular disease may want to talk to their physician before they drink Red Bull in future," the scientist said.

The 30 students who passed the test were shocked by the results. Previously some of them drank up to 8 can per night in order to stay awake to study. Most of these students are now refusing to drink Red Bull, saying they will never consume it again.

Source: Fox News