Red Bull Increases Heart Attacks & Strokes-Fiction!

Red Bull Can Increase Heart Attacks or Strokes-Fiction!

Summary of the eRumor:
A warning about the popular beverage, Red Bull, claiming that is is loaded with caffeine and can lead to cardiovascular problems. The eRumor claims that the product has been banned in three countries.

The Truth:
A Red Bull Spokesperson told truthorfiction.com that the Energy drink is a safe consumer product and that it's main ingredients are taurine, glucuronolactone and caffeine. Red Bull only contains about as much caffeine as a regular cup of mild filtered coffee and is not banned in any country, although some countries may enforce restrictions on the packaging method of vitamins. We have also not found any documented independent evidence that supports the contention of the eRumor.

One should avoid caffeinated drinks if under doctors orders to so.

updated 09/19/08

A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:

Just one can of the popular stimulant energy drink Red Bull can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. The effect was seen even in young people.

The caffeine-loaded beverage causes blood to become sticky, a pre-cursor to cardiovascular problems such as stroke. One hour after drinking Red Bull, your blood system becomes abnormal, as might be expected from a patient with cardiovascular disease.

Red Bull is banned in Norway, Uruguay and Denmark because of health risks.