OBJECTIVES: Consumption of energy drinks (ED) raises concerns because of adverse health effects possibly linked with high levels of caffeine and sugar intake. The study looks at the scope of ED consumption as well as some of the associated characteristics.METHODS: Thirty-six public colleges in the Canadian province of Québec agreed to participate in a descriptive cross-sectional study (n = 36). In February 2013, participating colleges invited their students to answer an online questionnaire on consumption of ED, alcoholic ED (AED), and ED in combination with other psychotropic drugs. A descriptive and correlational analysis was carried out. Logistic regressions explored associations between ED consumption and associated characteristics. RESULTS:Of the students who successfully completed the questionnaire and participated in the study (n = 10,283), a low proportion consumed ED (9.1%; n = 935) and/or AED (1.1%; n = 109) at least once a week in the previous month. Although low in proportion, a number of participants reported having used ED with other stimulant psychoactive substances (n = 247) and ≥3 ED/day (n = 193) or ≥3 AED/occasion (n = 167), which can pose a risk for serious adverse effects. Weekly ED consumption was associated with consumption of ≥20 cups of coffee/week, smoking, excessive use of alcohol and past use of cannabis, glues or solvents and amphetamines.CONCLUSION: A majority of respondents are not heavy users of ED, AED, or ED with drugs. Yet, the profiles of ED consumption potentially harmful to health that characterize some participants indicate that the potential health consequences of such behaviour are of concern.KEY WORDS: Adolescent; young adult; energy drinks; caffeine; alcoholic beverages; psychotropic drugs La traduction du résumé se trouve à la fin de l'article.Can J Public Health 2016;107(6):e514-e519 doi: 10.17269/CJPH.107.5536 T he energy drink (ED) phenomenon is an emerging public health issue. Over the past few years, the ED market has been booming. 1 Advertising suggests that ED can be consumed in significant quantities and trivializes their frequent use. However, the composition of energy drinks poses potential health risks. The high caffeine content can cause heart palpitations, abdominal pain, nausea and insomnia; 2 the sugar added to many ED promotes obesity and dental caries. 3,4 Some researchers also report that ED are among the substances consumed by individuals with polysubstance use profiles. 5-9 Alcoholic energy drinks (AED) seem to reduce perceptions of being drunk, 10 which leads to increased alcohol ingestion 6,11,12 and adoption of risky behaviours such as drinking and driving. 6,12 Use of ED together with other psychotropic drugs also presents health risks. This behaviour raises concerns, especially because of the synergic effects of combining stimulants (e.g., ED and amphetamines). 13 Despite the potentially harmful effects, to our knowledge, simultaneous use of ED and illicit drugs has not been studied (except for AED). Although several studies on ED amon...
Two patients with no exposure to gardening compost had related Legionella longbeachae infections in Quebec, Canada. Epidemiologic investigation and laboratory results from patient and soil samples identified the patients’ workplace, a metal recycling plant, as the likely source of infection, indicating a need to suspect occupational exposure for L. longbeachae infections.
Cette recension des écrits, sous forme d’une revue narrative critique, a pour but de dresser un bilan de l’état des connaissances concernant la consommation de boissons énergisantes chez les jeunes et les conduites qui y sont associées telles que la consommation de psychotropes et les autres comportements à risque. L’analyse des études recensées indique que les boissons énergisantes sont consommées par les jeunes adultes pour différents motifs et dans diverses occasions. De plus, ces boissons seraient surtout appréciées par des consommateurs d’autres substances psychoactives telles que le tabac, l’alcool et les drogues. Cette polyconsommation de psychotropes peut entraîner des effets plus souvent préjudiciables que bénéfiques. D’ailleurs, les résultats de différentes études nous renseignent sur le fait que la consommation de boissons énergisantes alcoolisées est associée à des comportements à risque tels que conduire après avoir bu de l’alcool, prendre la route avec un conducteur sous l’influence de l’alcool, avoir des relations sexuelles sous l’influence de substances psychoactives et agir de manière agressive. Néanmoins, les recherches produites comportent certaines limites, notamment le devis majoritairement transversal de ces investigations ne permet pas d’établir de relations de causes à effets. Ce constat incite à la prudence dans l’interprétation des données. Toutefois, la consommation de boissons énergisantes en combinaison avec d’autres substances psychoactives est un phénomène préoccupant en raison de ses effets potentiellement indésirables.This literature review, in the form of a critical narrative review, aims to assess the state of knowledge of the consumption of energy drinks among youth as well as related behaviours, such as psychotropic drug use and other risky behaviours. The analysis of the identified studies indicates that young adults consume energy drinks for diverse reasons and on various occasions. Furthermore, these drinks would be consumed by users of other psychoactive substances, such as tobacco, alcohol and drugs. This poly drug use can result in effects that are often more harmful than beneficial. Moreover, results from various studies indicate that consumption of alcoholic energy drinks is associated with risky behaviours, such as drinking and driving, riding with an impaired driver, having sexual relations under the influence of psychoactive substances, and behaving aggressively. Nevertheless, the studies produced have certain limitations, notably the fact that the predominantly cross-sectional design of these investigations makes it impossible to establish cause-and-effect relationships. Therefore, caution should be used when interpreting the data. However, the consumption of energy drinks in combination with other psychoactive substances is a worrisome phenomenon given the potentially undesirable effects.Esta reseña de artículos, con forma de narrativa crítica, tiene por objetivo hacer un balance del estado de los conocimientos relativos al consumo de bebidas energizantes entre lo...
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.