Evaluation of energy drink intake in selected student groups.

BACKGROUND Energy drinks are intended for people who work hard, both physically and mentally, particularly young people engaged in an active lifestyle. OBJECTIVE To assess the intake of energy drinks in a student group, during examinations and throughout an academic year. MATERIALS AND METHODS A survey was performed on 92 students attending the Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences (Warsaw University of Life Sciences--WULS) and those from the Faculty of Physical Education (University of Physical Education--UPE) in Warsaw. RESULTS Students consumed many more energy drinks during examinations (1424 +/- 1577 ml/week) than during the academic year (441 +/- 579 ml/week). About 30% more subjects from UPE drank such drinks, throughout both examinations and the academic year, compared to those from WULS. On average, most students drunk less than one can per day. During exams, only 49% students consumed an average of less than 125 ml of energy drinks per day, (WULS; 55% and UPE; 46%), whereas this rose to 84% during the academic year (WULS; 91% and UPA; 80%). The most popular brands were Tiger, Red Bull and Burn. CONCLUSIONS. It is important that due care and attention is exercised in consuming high amounts of energy drinks as they contain bioactive substances, including caffeine, inositol, taurine, glucuronolactone and vitamins of the group B. These all have specific effects on the body and can be a cause for concern if their intake is high.