Pattern and predictors of energy drink consumption in medical students and physicians

Energy drink consumption among medical students in Jordan – prevalence, attitudes, and associated factors: a cross-sectional study

“…The reasons cited for ED consumption were multifaceted, with the desire to stay awake at night and enhance mental performance being prominent motivators (70.1 and 64.9%, respectively). Similar studies found also staying awake longer 1 , 4 , 12 – 14 , 27 – 29 and improving mental performance 1 , 6 , 7 , 27 , 29 , 30 as motivations for their consumption, which aligns with the expectation that medical students may turn to ED to enhance alertness and cognitive performance during periods of academic stress. Additionally, the pleasant taste of ED, aiming to reduce fatigue and improve mood were identified as significant factors influencing consumption by almost half of ED consumers.…”

“…Students who reported regular ED consumption were significantly more likely to experience various complaints including daytime sleepiness, decreased concentration, fatigue, reduced performance, and various physical symptoms; mainly dizziness, muscle twitching, headache, and reduced appetite. Similar studies reported adverse effects such as nervousness 6 , irritability 7 , anxiety 8 , 9 , insomnia 1 , 6 – 11 , tremors 6 , 10 , 12 , fatigue 13 , headaches 6 , 9 , 10 , stomach upset 6 , 10 , abdominal pain 9 , 10 , constipation 9 , palpitations 1 , 6 , 7 , 11 , 12 , 14 , dizziness 9 , flushing 10 , and increased micturition 1 , 10 . Noteworthy, even though most sampled students who reported regular ED consumption mentioned increased energy and mental performance as the main motive to use ED, they reported reduced performance, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and decreased concentration as perceived adverse effects of ED use.…”

“…Long-term consumption of large amounts of these products can lead to adverse effects such as nervousness 6 , irritability 7 , anxiety 8 , 9 , insomnia 1 , 6 – 11 , tremors 6 , 10 , 12 , fatigue 13 , headaches 6 , 9 , 10 , stomach upset 6 , 10 , abdominal pain 9 , 10 , constipation 9 , palpitations 1 , 6 , 7 , 11 , 12 , 14 , dizziness 9 , flushing 10 , and increased micturition 1 , 10 . Energy drink consumption has also been linked to increased potential for other high-risk behaviors such as smoking 1 , 15 – 17 , alcohol drinking 7 , 15 , 18 , 19 , illicit drug use, unsafe sexual practices, and fighting 20 .…”

“…Several studies have reported that the most common factors associated with energy drink consumption were being male 1 , 14 , 16 , 17 , 24 – 27 , single, in a nonmedical field of study 25 , with alcohol consumption 7 , 15 , 18 , 19 , and higher working or studying hours 12 .…”

“…Reported reasons for consuming ED in previous studies were to stay awake longer 1 , 4 , 12 – 14 , 27 – 29 , boost energy 6 , 28 , 30 , study and perform better on exams 1 , 6 , 7 , 13 , 27 , 29 , 30 , increase physical performance in sports 18 , 28 , enjoy leisure time with friends 1 , and for the pleasant taste 8 . Curiosity was the main motivation to try them for the first time 1 , 4 , 18 .…”