Coffee and energy drink use patterns in college freshmen: associations with adverse health behaviors and risk factors

Abstract

Background Public health concern over college students mixing caffeine-containing energy drinks (EDs) and alcohol has contributed to an array of ED-focused research studies. One review found consistent associations between ED use and heavy/problem drinking as well as other drug use and risky behaviors (Nutr Rev 72:87–97, 2014). The extent to which similar patterns exist for other sources of caffeine is not known. The present study examined associations between coffee and ED consumption and alcohol, tobacco and other drug use; alcohol use problems; and parental substance abuse and mental health problems in a sample of college freshmen. Methods Subjects were N = 1986 freshmen at an urban university who completed an on-line survey about demographics; caffeine; alcohol, tobacco and other drug use; and family history. The sample was 61% female and 53% White. Chi-square analyses and multivariable binary or ordinal logistic regression were used to compare substance use, problem alcohol behavior, and familial risk measures across 3 caffeine use groups: ED (with or without Coffee) (ED + Co; N = 350); Coffee but no ED (Co; N = 761); and neither coffee nor ED (NoCE; N = 875) use. Results After adjusting for gender and race, the 3 caffeine use groups differed on 8 of 9 symptoms for alcohol dependence. In all cases, the ED + Co group was most likely to endorse the symptom, followed by the Co group and finally the NoCE group (all p < .002). A similar pattern was found for: use 6+ times of 5 other classes of drugs (all p < .05); extent of personal and peer smoking (all p < .001); and paternal problems with alcohol, drugs and anxiety/depression as well as maternal alcohol problems and depression/anxiety (p < .04). Conclusions The response pattern was ubiquitous, with ED + Co most likely, Co intermediate, and NoCE least likely to endorse a broad range of substance use, problem alcohol behaviors, and familial risk factors. The finding that the Co group differed from both the ED + Co and NoCE groups on 8 measures and from the NoCE group on one additional measure underscores the importance of looking at coffee in addition to EDs when considering associations between caffeine and other risky behaviors.

Efecto de las bebidas energéticas en la salud mental de adolescentes y jóvenes: Revisión sistemática

“…Como se mencionó en un principio el principal componente de las bebidas energéticas es la cafeína y, según la evidencia científica, una de sus acciones es sobre el sistema cardiovascular, generando, por ejemplo, elevaciones de la presión arterial y frecuencia cardiaca, lo cual podría ser un factor de riesgo para presentar enfermedades cardiovasculares en el futuro (28,29) . Sumado a esto, algunos estudios también mencionan que los consumidores de bebidas energéticas tienen una mayor tendencia al uso de múltiples sustancias, incluidos alcohol, tabaco y drogas blandas y duras, desarrollando deterioro de la percepción, debilidad, cefalea, aumento de conductas violencias y de riesgo (30,31) . Además de lo anterior, los consumidores frecuentes de bebidas energéticas tienen más probabilidades de presentar malos hábitos alimenticios, incluido el consumo de bebidas azucaradas y comida chatarra (31) .…”

Public Perception Towards Drug Abuse in South Korea: The Effects of Overconfidence and Affirmation

“…We expected that the more we believed that the drug was not harmful, the more likely we were to request or overdose on an opioid or narcotic or diet pills, and the more likely we were to be prone to substance abuse, but this was not the case. However, in previous studies, the negative effects of habitual drug use [ 30 , 31 ] and caffeine, energy drink consumption [ 32 , 33 ], purchasing and using without checking the drug label and ingredients [ 34 , 35 ], and indiscriminate use of drugs for weight loss [ 36 , 37 ] on physical and mental health were reported. Therefore, additional research is needed to explore the influence of motives for drug abuse and when the risks of drugs are recognized.…”

Energy drink consumption in young subjects: a growing problem

“…Since most EDs contain mixes of stimulants, mainly herbs that can interact with caffeine, more research is needed to determine the long-term effects of habitual ED intake, especially in young people. The further negative habit for human health is the association of ED with alcohol, thus predisposing many adolescents to alcohol addiction [ 10 ].…”