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Acute effects of commercial energy drink consumption on exercise performance and cardiovascular safety: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

PMID 38197606 (2024): acute, commercial — Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

Last updated/Feb 23, 2026, 10:34 PM

Study note • PMID 38197606

Acute effects of commercial energy drink consumption on exercise performance and cardiovascular safety: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition2024 • DOI 10.1080/15502783.2023.2297988
Evidence C69/100
Action 2: Consider

Worth trying if it fits your goal and context.

ELI5

In plain language

The aim of this study was to examine the acute effects of a non-caloric energy drink (C4E) compared to a traditional sugar-containing energy drink (MED) and non-caloric placebo (PLA)… (randomized trial; participants).

The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion under the tested conditions. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: The aim of this study was to examine the acute effects of a non-caloric energy drink (C4E) compared to a traditional sugar-containing energy drink (MED) and non-caloric placebo (PLA)…
  • The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion under the tested conditions.
  • Population: participants.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 10 h.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: acute, commercial (vs placebo).
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 10 h.
  • Outcomes: Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it helps, and who should skip it

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (participants) working on supplements.
  • Athletes who can measure Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should skip

  • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
  • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.

Methods

What the study actually did

  • Design: randomized trial (placebo-controlled).
  • Population: participants.
  • Comparator: placebo.
  • Outcomes measured: Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 10 h.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 38197606 (2024) — Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

Neither MED nor C4E influenced ECG measures (p >/= 0.08) or LBF (p = 0.37) compared to PLA.

Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.

Limits

Limitations & bias

  • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
  • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • This is performance information, not medical advice.

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Sources