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Effects of Energy Drinks on Cardiovascular Endpoints

Evaluation of Energy Drinks on Electrocardiographic Parameters: A Randomized, Double Blind, Controlled, Crossover, Proof-of-concept Study

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07212803
Enrollment
3
Registered
2025-10-08
Start date
2025-11-01
Completion date
2026-09-30
Last updated
2025-11-26

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Healthy Volunteers, Safety After Oral Intake

Keywords

Energy Drinks

Brief summary

This is a clinical trial looking at the impact of energy drinks on heart related parameters. The study will enroll 3 participants who will be exposed to 8 different interventions.

Detailed description

This study is a randomized, double-blind, controlled, crossover, proof-of-concept trial designed to examine how energy drinks affect heart rhythm and other health measures in healthy adults aged 18 to 40. This study investigates the cardiovascular safety of energy drinks by examining their effects on electrocardiographic parameters, with a specific focus on the QTc interval. The protocol consists of two phases conducted with 3 healthy volunteers. Phase A (Visits 1-4) evaluates four interventions: 1) energy drink A 2) moxifloxacin 3) caffeine 4) placebo. Phase B (Visits 5-8) evaluates four interventions: 1) energy drink B 2) taurine 3) caffeine + taurine 4) lower dose energy drink A. After an overnight fast participants will consume the study intervention within a 30 minute period. Over the next 4 hours, the electrocardiogram, blood pressure, hemodynamics, glucose, endothelial function, and side effects will be monitored. Participants maintain minimal physical activity during this period.

Interventions

DRUGPlacebo Drink + Moxifloxacin Capsule

Placebo drink with 400 mg moxifloxacin capsule

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTEnergy Drink A + Placebo Capsule

1000 mL caffeine- and taurine-containing commercially available beverage (Formula A) consumed with placebo capsule

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo Drink + Caffeine Capsule

Placebo drink with 320 mg caffeine capsule

OTHERPlacebo Drink + Placebo Capsule

Placebo drink with placebo capsule

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTEnergy Drink B

568 mL caffeine- and taurine-containing commercially available beverage (Formula B)

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTControl Product + Taurine

Control product with 4000 mg taurine powder

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTControl Product + Caffeine + Taurine

Control product with 320 mg caffeine + 4000 mg taurine powder

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTLower Dose Energy Drink A

591 mL caffeine- and taurine-containing commercially available beverage (Formula A)

Sponsors

University of the Pacific
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Intervention model description

Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled, Crossover Study

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Healthy male or female adults 18-40 years of age * Female participants of child-bearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test at the baseline visit * Participants must be willing to refrain from caffeine and alcohol use 72 hours prior to sessions on study days * Participants must be willing and able to: (1.) Consume up to 1 liter of fluid within a 30-minute period per visit (2.) Swallow a single large capsule per visit * Participants must be willing to fast 10 hours prior to sessions on study days (only water is allowed during the fasting and active study period) * Participants must have active health insurance throughout the duration of the study

Exclusion criteria

* Have a corrected QT (QTc) interval greater than 450 milliseconds (ms) for males or greater than 470 milliseconds (ms) for females, determined during the baseline visit * Presence of any known medical condition, confirmed through participant interview. Examples of these include but not limited to: Dyslipidemia, Thyroid disease, Diabetes, Recurrent headache, Any psychiatric condition or neurological disorder, History of alcohol or drug abuse, Past diagnosis or history of renal insufficiencies, Hepatic dysfunction, Electrolyte imbalances requiring hospitalization * Presence of any known heart/cardiac diseases or conditions such as: Atrial Fibrillation, History of stroke or heart attack, Hypertension, Heart Failure, Vascular Disease, Family history/Active Long QT Syndrome, Coronary artery disease, Cardiomyopathy, Valvular heart disease, Ventricular arrhythmia, Congenital heart defect, Pericardial disease, Myocarditis * Study physician recommendation for participant to not be enrolled. * Are underweight (BMI\<18.5 kg/m2, CDC 2024), have poor eating habits resulting in poor weight control, or have any factors that will put the participant at risk from fasting. * Have any contraindications to the use of moxifloxacin, including a past medical history of myasthenia gravis, QT prolongation, or hypersensitivities and allergic reactions to moxifloxacin or any other fluoroquinolone antibiotics * Pre-existing risk to tendinitis and tendon rupture, peripheral neuropathy, or central nervous system side effects * Concurrent use of ANY medication taken daily including herbal products or supplements (daily basis is defined as greater than 2 days per week) * Self-reported allergy to taurine * Self-reported allergy to nuts (peanuts, pecans, cashews, etc.) * Self-reported allergic reaction to the adhesive pads (electrodes, continuous glucose monitors, etc.) * Fear of needle puncture * Smokers using cigarettes, vaporized nicotine, or marijuana products currently or within the past month * Current usage of any nicotine or tobacco products including but not limited to intranasal, sublingual, oral, or transdermal dosage forms * Currently pregnant or breastfeeding * Have a positive pregnancy test during the baseline visit * Are currently enrolled in any other clinical study or have participated in another study within the last 30 days * Non-English speaking/reading individuals will be excluded due to the unavailability of medically qualified translators throughout all study procedures * If the candidate does not sign the informed consent document

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change from Baseline in Corrected QT Interval (QTc) in Milliseconds (ms)Baseline, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 minutes post-interventionQTc interval will be calculated using both Bazett's and Fridericia's correction formulas assessed via 12-lead ECG.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change from Baseline in QT Interval in Milliseconds (ms)Baseline, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 minutes post-interventionAs assessed via 12-lead ECG
Change from Baseline in RR Interval in Milliseconds (ms)Baseline, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 minutes post-interventionAs assessed via 12-lead ECG
Change from Baseline in PR Interval in Milliseconds (ms)Baseline, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 minutes post-interventionAs assessed via 12-lead ECG
Change from Baseline in QRS Duration in Milliseconds (ms)Baseline, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 minutes post-interventionAs assessed via 12-lead ECG
Change from Baseline in Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) in Millimeters of Mercury (mmHg)Baseline, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 minutes post-interventionAssessed via a non-invasive automated blood pressure device
Change from Baseline in Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) in Millimeters of Mercury (mmHg)Baseline, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 minutes post-interventionAssessed via a non-invasive automated blood pressure device
Change from Baseline in Cardiac Output (CO) in Liters Per Minute (L/min)Baseline, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 minutes post-interventionAssessed via non-invasive bioimpedance monitoring during Phase A only
Change from Baseline in Stroke Volume (SV) in Milliliters Per Beat (mL/beat)Baseline, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 minutes post-interventionAssessed via non-invasive bioimpedance monitoring during Phase A only
Change from Baseline in Interstitial Glucose Level (mg/dL)Baseline, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 minutes post-interventionAssessed via a continuously worn arm sensor (Continuous Glucose Monitor, CGM) during Phase A only
Change from Baseline in Reactive Hyperemia Index (RHI)Baseline, 120, and 240 minutes post-interventionA non-invasive, unitless measure of endothelial function assessed via peripheral arterial tonometry (EndoPAT) during Phase A only
Change from Baseline in Heart Rate (HR) in Beats Per Minute (BPM)Baseline, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 minutes post-interventionAssessed via non-invasive bioimpedance monitoring and/or 12-lead ECG

Countries

United States

Contacts

Primary ContactQuy Phan, PharmD
qphan@pacific.edu209-946-7754

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026