Consumo de bebidas energizantes en universitarios

  1. Aarón Ravelo Abreu
  2. Carmen Rubio Armendáriz
  3. Alfredo Soler Carracedo
  4. Cristina Casas Gómez
  5. Elena Casas Gómez
  6. Ángel J. Gutiérrez Fernández
  7. Consuelo Revert Gironés
  8. Arturo Hardisson de la Torre
Journal:
Revista española de nutrición comunitaria = Spanish journal of community nutrition

ISSN: 1135-3074

Year of publication: 2013

Volume: 19

Issue: 4

Pages: 201-206

Type: Article

More publications in: Revista española de nutrición comunitaria = Spanish journal of community nutrition

Abstract

Objectives: To study the consumption of energy drinks in students of the University of La Laguna (Tenerife) and to evaluate the intake of caffeine derived from such beverages.Methods: An anonymous survey of 307 college students (ages 18 - 30) from 18 faculties of ULL was con-ducted. Among the variables analyzed were: knowledge of the composition of these drinks, consumption habits, and the combination with alcohol and drugs. A systematic bibliographic revision was done, using the MEDLINE/Pub-Med, Scielo, Science Direct and Ebscohost databases. Results: 82.74% of university respondents have consumed, at least once in their life, such beverages, although only just over half the students know their composition (58.31%). Consumption of these energy drinks in university students is not frequent as 88.60% reported a non-weekly rate of consumption. Consumption rises in periods of examinations reaching a prevalence of consumption of 33.33%. Also, 24.21% of students reported that they consume energy drinks at times of leisure. 30.29% and 2.28% of respondents reported mixing the beverages with alcohol and other drugs, respectively.Conclusions: Consumption of energy drinks is widespread in the university population. Although consump-tion is not regular, an increase of its consumption was detected during examination times because students seek their energizing and stimulating effects. Most of ULL’s students are unaware of the composition of energy drinks