Dalbo, V. J., Roberts, M. D., Stout, J. R., & Kersick, C. M. (2008). Effects of a commercial energy drink on acute changes in energy expenditure and lipolysis. ACSM 55th Annual Meeting Indianapolis. Presentation number 2194.

This study determined the acute impact of ingesting a thermogenic energy drink on changes in energy expenditure and lipolysis. Healthy college-aged males and females were matched according to height and weight. Ss consumed 336 ml of an energy drink or 336 ml of a non-caloric, non-caffeinated placebo. After a 12-hour fast, Ss reported for pre-consumption measures of height, weight, heart rate, blood pressure, resting energy expenditure, respiratory exchange ratio, and glycerol and free-fatty acid concentrations. Resting energy expenditure and respiratory exchange ratio were determined 60, 120, and 180 minutes post-consumption. Serum glycerol and free-fatty acid concentrations were determined at 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes post-consumption.

Significant group x time interactions revealed higher relative resting energy expenditure values and free-fatty acid concentrations for the energy-drink condition at 60, 120, and 180 post-supplementation when compared to the placebo condition. No significant differences were found between groups for glycerol concentrations at any time. Furthermore, no significant differences were found for respiratory exchange ratio during the study.

Implication. Acute energy drink supplementation increases resting energy expenditure and respiratory exchange ratio but does not influence changes in glycerol.

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