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Abstract
There are limited available data assessing the efficacy of acute energy drink consumption on cognition and gaming performance, nor on cardiovascular safety.
Objectives
To examine the efficacy of acute consumption of a novel energy drink (C4S) versus placebo for improving cognitive and gaming performance and mood. Secondarily, we examined the cardiovascular safety profile of acute C4S consumption.
Methods
Forty-five healthy, young adult video gamers completed two experimental visits in randomized order where they consumed either C4S or a placebo and then completed a validated battery of neurocognitive tests, played five video games, and completed a mood state survey. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation, and electrocardiogram measurements were taken at baseline and repeated throughout each visit.
Results
Acute consumption of C4S improved cognitive flexibility (absolute mean or median difference [95% CI] = +4.3 [2.2–6.4]; p < 0.001; d = 0.63), executive function (+4.3 [2.3–6.3]; p < 0.001; d = 0.63), sustained attention (+2.1 [0.6–3.6]; p = 0.01; d = 0.44), motor speed (+2.9 [0.8–4.9]; p < 0.001; d = 0.44), psychomotor speed (+3.9 [0.1–7.7]; p = 0.04; d = 0.32) working memory (+1.0 [0.1–1.9]; p = 0.02; d = 0.35), and performance in the two-dimensional visuospatial game Tetris (+463 [-419–2,065] pts; p = 0.049; d = 0.30) compared to placebo. C4S also improved Fatigue-Inertia (-1 [-3–0]; p = 0.004; d = 0.45), Vigor-Activity (+2.4 [1.3–3.6]; p < 0.001; d = 0.64), Friendliness (+0 [0–1]; p = 0.04; d = 0.32), and Total Mood Disturbance (-3 [-6–0]; p = 0.002; d = 0.44). BP increased slightly in C4S versus placebo, while HR decreased from baseline to post-drink in the C4S condition. Rate-pressure-product was higher in C4S versus placebo independent of time but did not increase from baseline. There was no effect on corrected QT interval.
Conclusion
Acute consumption of C4S was efficacious for cognitive performance, visuospatial gaming performance, and mood enhancement, and had no effect on myocardial oxygen demand or ventricular repolarization, despite being associated with increases in BP.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Woodbolt Distribution LLC/Nutrabolt® (Austin, TX, USA) for generously funding the study and supplying the beverages, Chris Lockwood (Dr Chris Lockwood LLC, Casper, WY, USA) for securing funding, and Edgar Grigorian and DYAD Labs (Salt Lake City, UT, USA) and Andy Holmes and LGC Science, Inc (Lexington, KY, USA) for providing third-party analytical testing of all finished products. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Disclosure statement
As of August 8, 2022, Chris Lockwood (CML) was employed as Vice President of Scientific Affairs for Nutrabolt® (Austin, TX). CML’s employment at Nutrabolt® began following completion of this study, which included data collection, analyses, and interpretation and completion of the primary manuscript draft. No other authors have competing interests to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.
Authors contributions
LES and NDMJ wrote the original draft of this manuscript. LES, NDMJ, NFB, EMR, NJH, JPA, SLS, and CML reviewed and edited this manuscript. Study conceptualization and methodologies were carried out by CML and NDMJ. Data curation and investigation were performed by LES, NDMJ, NJH, JPA, and SLS. Data analyses were performed by LES and NDMJ. Funding was acquired by CML and NDMJ and beverages were acquired by CML. Project administration and supervision were managed by LES, NDMJ, and CML. All other resources were provided by NDMJ. Analytical validation was overseen by CML.