Consumption of energy drinks among medical university students in Kazakhstan

Abstract Objectives Due to lack of information and deceptive advertising, young people widely consume energy drinks, although they should be careful because of their contents. Energy drinks contain high amounts of caffeine, sugar, and other additives that can stimulate the body. They can cause irritability, anxiety, insomnia and can increase heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate. Aim of this research was to study consumption of energy drinks among medical university students in Kazakhstan. Methods Cross-sectional study was conducted. A web-based questionnaire was used to collect information. Students enrolled in various courses at the medical university, including interns and residents, were invited to participate. A total of 764 respondents took part in the survey. Results Among the trainees, 41.4 % had consumed caffeinated energy drinks in the past six months, and at the time of the survey, 16.2 % of the respondents had consumed these drinks. Respondents who do not drink alcohol are 3 times (p<0.001) more likely not to use energy drinks compared to those who drink alcohol. Those who do not exercise are 4.7 times (p<0.001) more likely not to consume energy drinks compared to active athletes. Participants who had not consumed caffeinated energy drinks in the past six months were 1.8 times (p<0.001) more likely not to consume energy drinks compared to those who drank them. Conclusions Consumption of energy drinks by students can temporarily increase physical and mental performance, improve mood and raise energy levels, while at the same time, they also come with serious health risks. Therefore, educating students about the potential risks and the importance of a healthy lifestyle is essential.