Effects of energy drinks on fertility, blood parameters and perinatal physiology in female rats.

OBJECTIVE

The increasing consumption of energy drinks, especially among children and young people, in recent years raises concerns. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of energy drink consumption on fertility, blood parameters, and perinatal physiology in female rats.

METHOD: Three groups were formed. Of the groups, one was the control group and the other two were the experimental groups, namely 10% ED group and 20% ED group. In each group, there were 9 rats (3 rats per cage, 3 breeding cages per group). The rats in the control group were given only tap water, the rats in the 10% ED group were given a mixture including 10% energy drink and 90% tap water, and the rats in the 20% ED group were given a mixture including 20% energy drink and 80% tap water.

RESULTS

Pre-pregnancy energy drink consumption increased water and feed intake in female rats; however, it still increased fluid intake but reduced feed intake during pregnancy. The difference between groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Energy drink consumption affected hematological parameters depending on the dose, increased serum creatinine levels, affected total cholesterol levels according to consumption, increased total protein levels, and decreased alkaline phosphatase levels. Consumption of energy drinks also reduced the number of offspring and postnatal weight gain in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that energy drinks had effects on female rats during the prenatal and perinatal periods. To investigate the potentially concerning effects of energy drink consumption and to identify possible long-term health problems it might cause, further animal and human studies should be conducted. These results provide critical biological evidence to help midwives, women's health nurses, and public health nurses design evidence-based premarital counseling and prenatal education programs in which the risks of energy drink consumption on fertility, maternal nutrition, and neonatal development are addressed.