During recent years there has been a large increase in the consumption of energy drinks (EDs) especially among college students who use EDs to improve cognitive performance, concentration, and mood. Recently, many college students have been mixing EDs with alcohol which has been shown to increase total alcohol consumption. One potential explanation for this is the stimulant effects of caffeine may counteract the depressant effects of alcohol. The risk of alcohol-related negative consequences is greater when alcohol mixed with energy drink (AmED) is consumed. AmED consumption has been associated with increased odds of driving a car under the influence, being hurt or injured, unwanted sexual contact, and using drugs. This study is a systemic review that examines the prevalence of AmED consumption among undergraduate students.
The systemic review’s sample consisted of 42 articles published from 2008 to 2021. Articles were included if they were cross-sectional studies, had a population of college students, and examined the prevalence of AmED consumption, adverse effects and health-related behaviors associated to AmED consumption, and motivations for use of AmED. The quality assessment showed that 25 of the articles had a poor quality rating, 15 had a fair quality rating, and 2 had a good quality rating. Data was analyzed using random effects model, the I2 test and Cochran’s Q to determine prevalence of AmED consumption.
Results of the data analysis showed that the overall prevalence of AmED was 37% with significant heterogeneity among the articles. The prevalence of AmED consumption in the world also showed a slight decline with the increase in the year of publication. Twenty-three of the studies analyzed the prevalence of health-related behaviors associated with AmED consumption. The most commonly reported behaviors were hazardous drinking and heavier alcohol intake, drink driving, and risk taking behaviors. Thirteen of the studies examined motivations for AmED use. The most commonly reported reasons included to get drunk, to reduce negative effects of alcohol, to relax, to hide alcohol’s flavor or reduce sedation, and to treat hangover.
Takeaway: The overall prevalence of consumption of alcohol mixed with energy drink is estimated to be 37% among undergraduate students.