RESEARCH PAPER
Are students at Krakow universities turning to energy-boosting dietary supplements?
| 1 | Department of Family Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland |
| 2 | Students’ Family Medicine Interest Group, Medical College, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland |
| 3 | Małopolska Center for Burns and Plastic Surgery, Limb Replantation and Hyperbaric Therapy
Ludwik Rydygier Hospital, Krakow, Poland |
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Katarzyna Nessler
Department of Family Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Bocheńska 4, Krakow
Department of Family Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Bocheńska 4, Krakow
Ann Agric Environ Med. 2020;27(2):295–300
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
Biological agents posing occupational risk in agriculture, forestry, food industry and wood industry and diseases caused by these agents (zoonoses, allergic and immunotoxic diseases)State of the health of rural communities depending on various factors: social factors, accessibility of medical care, etc.
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Recent studies have revealed an increase in the consumption of dietary supplements including frequency of use of caffeine, which is addictive and potentially harmful in higher doses. Energy drinks include high doses of caffeine and are particularly targeted at young people.
Objective:
The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency of use of caffeine-containing energy products, associated factors and understanding the associated side- effects in university students.
Material and methods:
A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among students of the 5 largest Universities in Krakow. Statistical significance was set at the 0.05 level.
Results:
Around 35% of respondents reported the use of different supplements including high doses of caffeine. Frequency of caffeine-containing products consumption was significantly higher in female students compering to males. Also, those respondents who originated from big cities were more likely to use caffeine-containing products. The study revealed that these substances were also more popular among those participants who study economics. Most students use these substances in order to reduce feeling tired and the duration of sleep, others mainly to increase concentration prior to examinations. Almost one fourth of the group who used these substances admitted to having experienced some sideeffects in the past. They suffered mainly from insomnia, but also from excessive stimulation and muscle trembling. Almost half of the substances users did not know of any potential side-effects.
Conclusions:
Attempts should be made to increase public awareness of the side-effects of these substances, particularly among the student population. These campaigns should be targeted especially at female students who come from bigger cities. This study is a step towards drawing attention to this issue.
Recent studies have revealed an increase in the consumption of dietary supplements including frequency of use of caffeine, which is addictive and potentially harmful in higher doses. Energy drinks include high doses of caffeine and are particularly targeted at young people.
Objective:
The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency of use of caffeine-containing energy products, associated factors and understanding the associated side- effects in university students.
Material and methods:
A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among students of the 5 largest Universities in Krakow. Statistical significance was set at the 0.05 level.
Results:
Around 35% of respondents reported the use of different supplements including high doses of caffeine. Frequency of caffeine-containing products consumption was significantly higher in female students compering to males. Also, those respondents who originated from big cities were more likely to use caffeine-containing products. The study revealed that these substances were also more popular among those participants who study economics. Most students use these substances in order to reduce feeling tired and the duration of sleep, others mainly to increase concentration prior to examinations. Almost one fourth of the group who used these substances admitted to having experienced some sideeffects in the past. They suffered mainly from insomnia, but also from excessive stimulation and muscle trembling. Almost half of the substances users did not know of any potential side-effects.
Conclusions:
Attempts should be made to increase public awareness of the side-effects of these substances, particularly among the student population. These campaigns should be targeted especially at female students who come from bigger cities. This study is a step towards drawing attention to this issue.
REFERENCES (32)
1.
Shearer J. Methodological and metabolic considerations in the study of caffeine-containing energy drinks. Nutr Rev. 2014; 72 Suppl 1: 137–45.
2.
Rath M. Energy drinks: What is all the hype? The dangers of energy drink consumption. J Am Acad Nurse Pract. 2012; 24: 70–76.
3.
Seifert SM, Schaechter JL, Hershorin ER, et al. Health effects of energy drinks on children, adolescents, and young adults. Pediatrics 2011; 127(3): 511–28.
4.
Gurley BJ, Steelman SC, Thomas SL. Multi-ingredient, CaffeineContaining Dietary Supplements: History, Safety, and Efficacy. Clin Ther. 2015; 37(2): 275–301.
5.
Cabezas-Bou E, De León-Arbucias J, et al. A Survey of Energy Drink Consumption Patterns Among College Students at a Mostly Hispanic University. Caffeine Res. 2016 Dec 1; 6(4): 154–162.
6.
Bailey RL, Saldanha LG, Gahche JJ, Dwyer JT. Estimating caffeine intake from energy drinks and dietary supplements in the United States. Nutr Rev. 2014; 72 Suppl 1: 9–13.
7.
Mora-Rodriguez R, Pallarés JG. Nutr Rev. Performance outcomes and unwanted side effects associated with energy drinks. 2014; 72 Suppl 1: 108–20.
8.
Gunja N, Brown JA. Energy drinks: health risks and toxicity. Med J Aust. 2012; 16; 196(1): 46–9.
9.
Smit HJ, Cotton JR, Hughes SC, Rogers PJ. Mood and cognitive performance effects of “energy” drink constituents: caffeine, glucose and carbonation. Nutr Neurosci. 2004; 7(3): 127–39.
10.
Reissig CJ, Strain EC, Griffiths RR. Caffeinated energy drinks – a growing problem. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2009; 1; 99(1–3): 1–10.
11.
Pronsky ZM. Food Medication Interactions. 10th edition. Edited by: Crowe JP. Pottstown; 1997.
12.
Zeidán-Chuliá F, Gelain DP, Kolling EA, et al. Major components of energy drinks (caffeine, taurine, and guarana) exert cytotoxic effects on human neuronal SH-SY5Y cells by decreasing reactive oxygen species production. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2013; 2013: 791–795.
13.
Magdalan J, Zawadzki M, Skowronek R, et al. Nonfatal and fatal intoxications with pure caffeine – report of three different cases. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2017 Sep; 13(3): 355–358.
14.
Lee SJ, Hudson R, Kilpatrick K, et al. Caffeine ingestion is associated with reductions in glucose uptake independent of obesity and Type 2 diabetes before and after exercise training. Diabetes Care 2005; 28(3): 566–72.
15.
Lohsoonthorn V, Khidir H, Casillas G et al. Sleep quality and sleep patterns in relation to consumption of energy drinks, caffeinated beverages, and other stimulants among Thai college students. Sleep Breath. 2013 Sep; 17(3): 1017–28.
16.
Bichler A, Swenson A, Harris MA. A combination of caffeine and taurine has no effect on short term memory but induces changes in heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure. Amino Acids 2006; 31(4): 471–6.
17.
Salinero JJ, Lara B, Abian-Vicen J, et al. The use of energy drinks in sport: perceived erogeneity and side effects in male and female athletes. Br J Nutr. 2014 Nov 14; 112(9): 1494–502.
18.
Ruxton CHX. The suitability of caffeinated drinks for children: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials, observational studies and expert panel guidelines. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2014; 27: 342–357.
19.
Schmidt D. Comments on Iyadurai SJ, Chung SS. New-onset seizures in adults: Possible association with consumption of popular energy drinks. Epilepsy & Behavior. 2014 Nov; 40: 45–6.
20.
Arria AM, Caldeira KM, Kasperski SJ, et al. Energy drink consumption and increased risk for alcohol dependence. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2011; 35(2): 365–75.
21.
Woolsey CL, Williams RD Jr, Jacobson BH, et al. Increased Energy Drink Use as a Predictor of Illicit Prescription Stimulant Use. Subst Abus. 2015; 36(4): 413–9.
22.
Schaffer SW, Shimada K, Jong CJ, et al. Effect of taurine and potential interactions with caffeine on cardiovascular function. Amino Acids. 2014; 46(5): 1147–57.
23.
Silva AC, de Oliveira Ribeiro NP, de Mello Schier AR, et al. Caffeine and suicide: a systematic review. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2014; 13(6): 937–44.
24.
Malinauskas BM, Aeby VG, Overton RF, et al. A survey of energy drink consumption patterns among college students. Nutr J. 2007; 31; 6: 35.
25.
Marmorstein NR. Investigating associations between caffeinated beverage consumption and later alcohol consumption among early adolescents. Addict Behav. 2019 Mar; 90: 362–368.
26.
Arria AM, Caldeira KM, Kasperski SJ, et al. Increased alcohol consumption, nonmedical prescription drug use, and illicit drug use are associated with energy drink consumption among college students. J Addict Med. 2010; 4(2): 74–80.
27.
Attila S, Çakir B. Energy-drink consumption in college students and associated factors. Nutrition. 2011; 27(3): 316–22.
28.
Bulut B, Beyhun NE, Topbas M, Can G. Energy drink use in university students and associated factors. J Comm Health. 2014; 39(5): 1004–1011.
29.
Borlu A, Oral B, Gunay O. Consumption of energy drinks among Turkish University students and its health hazards. Pak J Med Sci. 2019 Mar-Apr; 35(2): 537–542.
30.
Kopacz A, Wawrzyniak A, Hamułka J, et al. Evaluation of energy drink intake in selected student groups. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2013; 64(1): 49–53.
31.
Thomasius R, Sack PM, Strittmatter E. Substance-related and addictive disorders in the DSM-5.Z Kinder Jugendpsychiatr Psychother. 2014; 42(2): 115–20.
32.
Rosenfeld LS, Mihalov JJ, Carlson SJ, Mattia A. Regulatory status of caffeine in the United States. Nutr Rev. 2014; 72 Suppl 1: 23–33.
RELATED ARTICLE
Improvement of visual identification of the journal - task financed under the agreement No. 618/P-DUN/2019 by the Minister of Science and Higher Education allocated to the activities of disseminating science.
Generation of the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) - task financed under the agreement No. 618/P-DUN/2019 by the Minister of Science and Higher
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.