In a new study published in the british medical journal researchers say energy drink consumption can also be so damaging to the liver it can even cause acute hepatitis.
Liver damage from energy drinks.
Although energy drinks are often perceived as harmless a new case report links the beverages to liver damage after a previously healthy man developed hepatitis from consuming too many.
Blood tests showed elevated liver enzymes indicating liver damage and a liver biopsy.
Nattu flickr cc by 2 0 if you do not include coffee which technically might be considered one of the first popular energy drinks to be mass consumed coca cola or coke might have been the first modern.
Despite the lack of research on liver effects there have been a few case reports suggesting excessive energy drinks may cause liver damage.
A previously healthy man.
Energy drinks linked to liver damage for most people energy drinks conjure up images of an active healthy lifestyle and high productivity but the truth is these drinks can pose serious health dangers including hepatitis.
Some foods and drinks can help protect liver health.
Energy drinks are non alcoholic drinks that contain vitamins caffeine and taurine these are the major ingredients.
Energy drinks contain a lot of vitamin b3 and b6.
These include coffee oatmeal grapes nuts and fatty fish among others.
This is obtained from sugars glucose and sucrose and stimulant energy from other ingredients.
While limited or infrequent consumption of energy drinks is unlikely to affect the liver frequent and long term consumption of sugar sweetened or alcoholic beverages may pose risks to liver health.
The bmj report doesn t mention specific.
Learn more about the foods and drinks that are good for liver health.
Other ingredients found in energy drinks are known to cause toxicity with overdose but only over consumption of niacin is known to cause liver damage.
An excessive amount of b3 can cause flushing of the skin and liver toxicity while excess b6 can cause sensory nerve problems and skin bruising.
They knew of one other case reported previously showing liver damage due to over consumption of energy drinks.