Monster Defends Taurine in Energy Drinks

CORONA, Calif.A paper evaluating the impact of energy drinks on the heart is misleading, Monster Beverage Corp. said Monday, responding to research that was presented that same day to the Radiological Society of North America.

Monster claimed the research confirmed what has been known in the scientific community for decades.

"Taurine helps the heart function more efficiently by improving the pumping force of the heart without any changes in blood pressure or heart rate," the energy-drink maker stated.

According to Monster, peer-reviewed studies have shown that taurine has been effectively administered to boost athletic performance and treat patients who suffer from congestive heart failure.

The paper, presented by University of Bonn researcher Jonas Dorner, disclosed that participants who consumed energy drinks loaded with caffeine and taurine were found to have "significantly increased" contractions in the left ventricles of their hearts. The researchers found no impact on blood pressure, heart rate or the amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle.

Monster rejected any implication "that increased contractility causes arrhythmia" and maintained Dorner made another misrepresentation: that the caffeine content in energy drinks is three times higher than in other caffeinated beverages like soda.

"Ounce per ounce, leading energy drinks contain about half the caffeine of coffeehouse coffee, such as Starbucks," Monster declared.

Ever since The New York Times revealed in October 2012 that Monster's products have been linked to deaths, Monster and its peers have faced increasing public scrutiny, wrongful death lawsuits and attempts on Capitol Hill to saddle industry with marketing restrictions. FDA is examining the safety of energy drinks and whether limits on caffeine should be imposed.