Trouble with sports drinks

As a distance runner I've occasionally used energy drinks to pick me up as the miles drag on. Energy drinks are not to be confused with sports drinks like Propel or Gatorade.

Too often, casual exercisers suck down these beverages with no attention to the caloric content and kids like them because of the 'jolt' they produce. But those are just part of the reason we need to be attentive to using these beverages and the amount we consume.

A new report finds energy drinks can boosts blood pressure, even in young, healthy people. If you're hypertensive, they can charge you up in a way you didn't bargain for.

The report found 2 drinks a day increased systolic blood pressure 10 mmHg and heart rate by 5-7 beats a minute. The findings were reported at a recent meeting of the American Heart Association.

These energy drinks are loaded with caffeine and the amino acid, taurine. These compounds have been found to affect cardiac function in earlier studies.

As always, moderation is key.