Red Bull binge may have helped kill Hull student

An inquest has heard that a student with a heart condition died last year after drinking four cans of Red Bull, the popular energy drink.

Chloe Leach, 21, reported feeling ill at the Sugar Mill Club in Hull on 30 September last year. The inquest heard that the most likely cause of her death was a rare congenital heart condition, called Long QT Syndrome. She was also epileptic.

According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the drink contains up to 160 milligrams of caffeine in a 500ml can, the equivalent to two average cups of instant coffee.

While Hull coroner Geoffrey Saul claimed she died from cardiac arrhythmia, it was reported that it was initially unclear what had caused the arrhythmia, or abnormal heart activity. Pathologists now say that the large amounts of caffeine in the Red Bull drinks very well may have pushed her heart rate upwards.

Long QT Syndrome affects the electrical pulse of the heart, and arrhythmia in individuals who suffer from Long QT Syndrome is often associated with excitement or exercise.

Geoffrey Saul claimed that he was confident in concluding that the cardiac arrhythmia was the cause of Chloe’s death.

The scientific committee on food conducted research into the use of energy drinks in 2003, noting that for consumers who are not used to high levels of caffeine, the drink can cause increased arousal, irritability, nervousness or anxiety.

As a result of the findings: “The FSA advises that children and other persons sensitive to caffeine should consumer energy drinks and other food products with significant amounts of caffeine (such as coffee) in moderation.”