In spite of an explosion in brewing and importation of energy drinks in Nigeria, information on the inherent health risks arising from its consumption is scarce. This study investigated the heavy metal hazards of popular energy drinks in Nigeria. Methods: Heavy metals in thirty different brands of energy drinks were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Lead, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, and nickel levels in these energy drinks were compared with permissible limits given by World Health Organization (WHO), United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and European Union (EU). The daily intake (DI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) were calculated. Results: For lead, 66.7%, 3.3%, and 66.7% of the energy drinks violated the WHO, EPA and EU permissible limits respectively; for chromium, only 36.7, 23.3 and 36.7% violated the WHO, EPA and EU permissible limits respectively; and for cobalt, 70% and 86.7% of the energy drinks violated the EU permissible limits. Total Hazard Quotient values for all the drinks were below 1. The estimated/calculated amount of chromium, cobalt, lead and nickel of an energy drink of a consumer who takes an average weekly volume of 1.5 L, (1.5 L of the 3 energy drinks) were 1.3857, 0.8736, 0.1845 and 1.5159 mg/L respectively. Only 33.3% of the energy drinks had negligible levels of daily intake for lead. Conclusion: Lead, chromium, nickel and cobalt levels in some energy drinks in Nigeria are much higher than the permissible limits and continuous consumption may increase the burden of these metals on the body.
Metals, Heavy ; Energy Drinks ; Beverages ; Risk ; Health

PURPOSE: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate intake-related factors of energy drinks and educational needs regarding energy drinks in female high school students. METHODS: Subjects were 340 female high school students in Incheon, and data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 20.0 program. RESULTS: Subjects who had drunk energy drinks were 74.3% (249 subjects) of all subjects. The first time they drank an energy drink was significantly associated with grade (p < 0.05). In 75.1% of 249 subjects who had drunk energy drinks, the places for buying energy drinks were supermarkets and convenience stores near their homes. For the effects of energy drink intake, sleeplessness (44.6%) and no effect (41.7%) were cited, and 24.5% experienced side effects such as palpitation, tremors, etc. The scores for self-diagnosis of caffeine addiction were significantly higher in the low weight group compared to the overweight group (p < 0.05). The degree of caffeine addiction was significantly associated with effects of energy drink intake (p < 0.001) and type of side effects (p < 0.001). Willingness to stop consuming energy drinks (p < 0.001) and necessity of nutrition education about energy drinks (p < 0.05) were significantly lower in the caffeine addiction group compared to the general group. About 75.0% of subjects wanted to be educated about the side effects of energy drinks and caffeine. CONCLUSION: This study shows that female high school students need proper education about the effects of intake of energy drinks. Therefore, guidelines and a nutrition education program right intake of energy drinks should be provided as well as campaigns concerning the side effects of energy drinks and caffeine in female high school students.
Caffeine ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education ; Energy Drinks* ; Female* ; Humans ; Incheon* ; Overweight ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Tremor

BACKGROUND: We examined the consumption patterns and the knowledge and awareness of energy drinks to draw up a guideline for energy drink consumption and to give accurate information to college student. METHODS: Data from 324 subjects (186 males and 138 females) were collected using self-administered questionnaires. The study participants were recruited from the Gyeonggi-do, Seongnam area between March and June 2013. RESULTS: The results showed that there was a significant gender-based difference in awareness of energy drinks- 56.5% (78/139) of the males and 78.9% (71/90) of the females had negative awareness (P<.001). As for recognizability of taurine by awareness of energy drinks, there were intergroup differences: the mean was 3.89 for the group with positive awareness and 3.31 for the negative awareness group (P=.001). The odds ratio for awareness of energy drinks was 2.75 (95% CI:1.05-7.18) and those with positive awareness consumed more than those with negative awareness (P=.039). CONCLUSIONS: This investigation on the factors that affect energy drinks consumption behaviors is of significance in that it helps make known the high caffeine content of energy drinks, and accurate knowledge of the side effects and appropriate consumption.
Caffeine ; Energy Drinks* ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Taurine ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the awareness of energy drinks, energy drink consumption behaviors, and associated factors among college students. METHODS: A total of 536 students from three universities in Cheongju completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding awareness and consumption of energy drinks as well as general characteristics, health-related characteristics, and eating habits. RESULTS: Approximately half of the respondents reported they knew what energy drinks were, while 45.7% had heard of energy drinks but did not know what they were. However, 76.9% had experience in using energy drinks. The main reason for using energy drinks was to stay awake, and the main place that they were used was on campus or at the library. More than 70% of energy drink users did not read the caffeine contents of energy drinks. After consuming energy drinks, 31.3% experienced adverse effects, the most serious being sleep disturbance. Approximately 33% of students consumed energy drinks once a month or more frequently, and men consumed energy drinks more frequently than females. Energy drink users who consumed at least one drink each month were more likely to be natural science major or drink more milk for male students, and to have more allowances or consume less meat for female students, compared with non-users. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that 33% of students consumed at least one energy drink each month, and there were a small number of students consumed energy drinks almost every day or energy drinks mixed with alcohol. Accordingly, college students should be taught potential health hazards of energy drinks mixed with alcohol as well as energy drinks alone. In addition, reading labels about caffeine and sugar contents in energy drinks is encouraged.
Caffeine ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Eating ; Energy Drinks ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meat ; Milk ; Natural Science Disciplines ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the awareness of energy drinks, energy drink consumption behaviors, and associated factors among college students. METHODS: A total of 536 students from three universities in Cheongju completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding awareness and consumption of energy drinks as well as general characteristics, health-related characteristics, and eating habits. RESULTS: Approximately half of the respondents reported they knew what energy drinks were, while 45.7% had heard of energy drinks but did not know what they were. However, 76.9% had experience in using energy drinks. The main reason for using energy drinks was to stay awake, and the main place that they were used was on campus or at the library. More than 70% of energy drink users did not read the caffeine contents of energy drinks. After consuming energy drinks, 31.3% experienced adverse effects, the most serious being sleep disturbance. Approximately 33% of students consumed energy drinks once a month or more frequently, and men consumed energy drinks more frequently than females. Energy drink users who consumed at least one drink each month were more likely to be natural science major or drink more milk for male students, and to have more allowances or consume less meat for female students, compared with non-users. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that 33% of students consumed at least one energy drink each month, and there were a small number of students consumed energy drinks almost every day or energy drinks mixed with alcohol. Accordingly, college students should be taught potential health hazards of energy drinks mixed with alcohol as well as energy drinks alone. In addition, reading labels about caffeine and sugar contents in energy drinks is encouraged.
Caffeine ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Eating ; Energy Drinks ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meat ; Milk ; Natural Science Disciplines ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Association between the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and obesity is universally a controversial issue. This study was undertaken to examine the beverage consumption pattern of Korean adolescents. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data was collected from the 2016 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey involving 65,528 adolescent respondents. A list of the most frequently consumed beverages was analyzed, and the consumption frequency of carbonated beverages, SSBs, and energy drinks during the past seven-days was assessed. The main reasons for the adolescents to consume the beverages were also determined. RESULTS: The beverage preference of adolescents were carbonated beverages (31.0%), ‘fruit and vegetable beverages (17.7%)’, ‘milk (13.6%)’, and ‘coffee (12.7%)’. Carbonated beverages and SSBs were consumed more than three times a week by 27.1% and 41.1% of the respondents, respectively. About 86.2% of adolescents did not take of any energy drinks during the last seven-days. Taste was the most common reason that adolescents considered when choosing a drink. Carbonated beverages consumed more frequently by boys than girls, and high school students drank coffee more frequently than middle school students. CONCLUSIONS: Boys had a higher preference for unhealthy beverages than girls, whereas consumption of high-caffeine drinks was greater amongst high-school students than middle school students.
Adolescent ; Beverages ; Carbonated Beverages ; Coffee ; Energy Drinks ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Obesity ; Risk-Taking ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vegetables

This study was conducted to analyze the effects of beverages on tooth corrosion by selecting drinks that are enjoyed by modern people. Drinks were selected for carbonated beverages (Coca Cola), energy drinks (Red Bull), orange juice, beer (Hite) and water (Evian). Bovine tooth was immersed for 1 hour, 24 hours and 48 hours. The root mean square (RMS) values were obtained by scanning the bovine tooth at pre-immersion and immersion time after impression making. Two-way ANOVA, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey-test were used to compare differences between groups (α=0.05). The RMS value tended to increase with longer immersion times in all beverages, and there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between before immersion-1hr and before immersion-48 hr. The mean of RMS according to the type of beverage was significantly different and there was a significant difference according to the change of immersion time (p < 0.05). In order to prevent tooth corrosion, it is necessary to change the method of ingestion or to reduce the time of ingestion.
Beer ; Beverages ; Carbonated Beverages ; Citrus sinensis ; Corrosion ; Eating ; Energy Drinks ; Immersion ; Methods ; Tooth ; Water

PURPOSE: Several energy drinks containing a high content of caffeine are widely consumed among young adults. We examined the effects of caffeinated energy drinks on intraocular pressure (IOP) and blood pressure (BP) in healthy young subjects. METHODS: In this prospective randomized, case-controlled cross over study conducted, from August to September of 2014, 40 healthy young volunteers (80 eyes) in their 20's and 30's drank 2 types of beverage each consumed after a 3-month washout period. The study participants were randomly given the caffeinated energy drink (group I, n = 20) or caffeine-free drink (group II, n = 20), IOP and BP were measured at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes and 12 and 24 hours after beverage consumption. RESULTS: In group I, the mean +/- standard deviation (SD) of IOP at baseline was 13.2 +/- 1.56 mm Hg and the IOP increased until 24 hours after drink consumption. IOPs at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes and 12 and 24 hours after drinking caffeinated energy drink were 14.45 +/- 2.12, 14.93 +/- 2.02, 14.85 +/- 1.55, 14.2 +/- 1.34, 14.25 +/- 1.74, and 13.35 +/- 1.61, respectively and statistically significant at 30, 60, 90, 120 minutes and 12 hours (p < 0.05). A corresponding increase in BP after drinking the caffeinated energy drink was observed but without statistical significance. Drinking the caffeine-free beverage did not affect IOP or BP significantly. CONCLUSIONS: IOP increases after consuming the caffeinated energy drink were statistically significant at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes and 12 hours. Therefore, caffeinated energy drinks may not be recommended for glaucoma patients or glaucoma suspects.
Beverages ; Blood Pressure ; Caffeine ; Case-Control Studies ; Drinking ; Energy Drinks* ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure* ; Prospective Studies ; Volunteers ; Young Adult*

PURPOSE: Several energy drinks containing a high content of caffeine are widely consumed among young adults. We examined the effects of caffeinated energy drinks on intraocular pressure (IOP) and blood pressure (BP) in healthy young subjects. METHODS: In this prospective randomized, case-controlled cross over study conducted, from August to September of 2014, 40 healthy young volunteers (80 eyes) in their 20's and 30's drank 2 types of beverage each consumed after a 3-month washout period. The study participants were randomly given the caffeinated energy drink (group I, n = 20) or caffeine-free drink (group II, n = 20), IOP and BP were measured at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes and 12 and 24 hours after beverage consumption. RESULTS: In group I, the mean +/- standard deviation (SD) of IOP at baseline was 13.2 +/- 1.56 mm Hg and the IOP increased until 24 hours after drink consumption. IOPs at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes and 12 and 24 hours after drinking caffeinated energy drink were 14.45 +/- 2.12, 14.93 +/- 2.02, 14.85 +/- 1.55, 14.2 +/- 1.34, 14.25 +/- 1.74, and 13.35 +/- 1.61, respectively and statistically significant at 30, 60, 90, 120 minutes and 12 hours (p < 0.05). A corresponding increase in BP after drinking the caffeinated energy drink was observed but without statistical significance. Drinking the caffeine-free beverage did not affect IOP or BP significantly. CONCLUSIONS: IOP increases after consuming the caffeinated energy drink were statistically significant at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes and 12 hours. Therefore, caffeinated energy drinks may not be recommended for glaucoma patients or glaucoma suspects.
Beverages ; Blood Pressure ; Caffeine ; Case-Control Studies ; Drinking ; Energy Drinks* ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure* ; Prospective Studies ; Volunteers ; Young Adult*

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the status of caffeine-containing energy drink consumption among Korean nursing students and to identify associated psychological factors. METHODS: In total, 187 Korean nursing students participated in this cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to identify participants' general characteristics and psychosocial factors (self-esteem, academic stress, depression, and college adjustment) associated with energy drink consumption. Data were analyzed with SPSS using descriptive statistics, the χ² test, the t-test, and logistic regression. RESULTS: More than two-thirds (73.3%) of the participants had consumed energy drinks. Among the investigated psychological factors, depression appeared to most strongly influence energy drink consumption behaviors in this population. CONCLUSION: The consumption of caffeine-containing energy drinks was found to be common among nursing students preparing to become health care professionals; depressed nursing students were more likely to have consumed energy drinks than non-depressed students. Nursing educators should emphasize the early detection of unhealthy beverage consumption habits and provide appropriate education to enhance healthy behaviors in future health care professionals.
Beverages ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Delivery of Health Care ; Depression ; Education ; Energy Drinks* ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Nursing* ; Psychology* ; Students, Nursing*