Cornell Researcher Concerned With the Potential Life-Threatening Effects of Red Bull, But Prefers Someone Else Conduct The Actual Research

For a long time, the effects of popular energy drinks, such as Red Bull and Monster, on a person’s cardiovascular system have been the concern of many researchers. Red Bull, in particular, has come under attack in recent years for its high volume of caffeine and taurine, which led to France banning the popular drink for nearly a decade.

Now, it appears researchers are finally stepping up their efforts to discern whether or not consumption of taurine-heavy energy drinks can have ill effects on a person’s heart.

But – don’t expect Cornell University’s crack team of researchers to lead the charge, because they’re delegating most of the responsibility to the rest of the scientific community.

WBIR.com reports:

"I think it would be a good idea for somebody to do some more detailed investigations of its cardiovascular effects in particular combinations with caffeine, since it's been a concern," Neil Harrison, director of pharmacology at Cornell University said.

Yes – this is an actual quote from a real researcher, who clearly acknowledges the importance of the study but is apparently not too concerned with doing it himself.

Instead, he prefers to leave the brunt of the research up to Hansen Beverage, Monster Energy’s parent company.

Monster Energy's parent company, Hansen Beverage said their technical director, who is a professor of pharmacology at the University of Arizona Medical Center, called.

 

He said there is no data showing that drinking up to eight grams of taurine a day, which is how many are in four cans of Monster, is dangerous. In fact, he said taurine actually helps when the heart muscle undergoes strenuous exercise.

Wait – you mean a company who produces energy drinks does not find anything wrong with its product? A truly shocking revelation...

Still, despite Harrison’s apparent nonchalant attitude, his lab does intend to continue studying the effects of taurine.

Just don’t expect the results of their research any time soon.