Past research has found that it’s debatable whether energy drinks can improve your cardiovascular performance, but a new study opens the floodgates for an entirely new debate. According to Australian scientists, downing Red Bull may spike your risk of stroke by increasing your blood viscosity, or thickness.
The researchers tested the cardiovascular systems of 30 young adults one hour before and after consuming a can of sugar-free Bull. The results: “your average person developed symptoms normally associated with cardiovascular disease after consuming just one drink”, write the study’s authors.
Red Bull is banned in Norway, Uruguay and Denmark because of health risks listed on its cans, but the company last year sold 3.5 billion cans in 143 countries.