Just one energy drink is enough to seriously boost the fight-or-flight hormone norepinephrine, even in young healthy adults. Yikes! HealthDay reports that researchers at the Mayo Clinic gave 25 healthy adults between the ages of 26 and 31 either a 16-ounce can of Rockstar Punched or the sham drink in random order on two separate days. The researchers then measured participants’ blood pressure and blood levels of norepinephrine before and 30 minutes after they chugged each drink. Ready? The envelope please….the researchers found that Rockstar Punched elevated blood levels of the “fight-or-flight” hormone norepinephrine 74 percent, compared with a 30 percent increase in those who consumed a fake energy drink.
Not a surprise. That’s what these drinks are supposed to do. No false advertising here. Its function is to mobilize the brain and body for action for situations of stress or danger – the so-called fight-or-flight response. Why you would purposely want to do this with a drink is beyond me.
Some use it as a substitute for lack of sleep. Not good at all if the job they have involves other people.