Impact of Energy Drink Consumption on Plasma Urea, Creatinine, Uric Acid, and Electrolytes Among Students of the College of Health Sciences in Okofia Nnewi, Nigeria

Abstract

Kidney disease is a public health concern, and the use of energy drinks can negatively impact kidney health. This study assessed the impact of energy drink intake on kidney function among college students. A total of thirty (30) healthy males aged between 18 and 26 years were randomly chosen for the research and separated into two groups: Group A (consumers of fearless energy drink (FED), n=15) and Group B (consumers of predator energy drink (PED), n=15). Group A subjects received one bottle of FED (500 ml) each, while Group B individuals received one bottle of PED (400 ml) four times per week for twenty-eight days before their regular breakfast. Venous blood samples of 5 milliliters (5 mL) each were collected from participants on days 0, 14, and 29, respectively, and then analyzed following an overnight fast to estimate plasma creatinine (CRT), urea, uric acid (UA), and electrolyte levels using standard laboratory methods. Results showed the plasma creatinine, UA, Na⁺, and Ca²⁺ levels were variably altered at 2 weeks and 1 month post-PED consumption than at baseline (p = 0.001), respectively. At 2 weeks after FED consumption, plasma creatinine levels were significantly lower (63.27±19.68 vs 82.73±9.10; p=0.006) and UA levels were higher (214.33±39.64 vs 270.38±20.22; p=0.001) than at baseline, but at 1 month after FED consumption, creatinine levels were higher (80.93±16.59 vs 63.27±19.68; p=0.025). Consumers of both PED and FED showed significant changes in renal indices, which could have a deleterious impact on kidney health.