1
|
Kobik W, Aryee PA. Energy drinks in Tamale: Understanding youth perceptions, consumption patterns, and related factors. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0289391. [PMID: 38669248 PMCID: PMC11051681 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Energy drinks (EDs) have become a popular choice for young people seeking physical and cognitive boosts, with ingredients such as caffeine, taurine, and B vitamins aimed at improving academic, athletic, and alertness levels. However, the popularity of these drinks is also driven by low prices, taste, brand loyalty, and gendered marketing, with boys being more likely to consume them. Despite the supposed benefits, EDs have been associated with high-risk behaviours, deaths, and adverse health effects, especially those related to cardiovascular risk. Meanwhile, in Ghana, the use of EDs is on the rise. Hence, this study aimed to examine the prevalence and consumption patterns, perceptions, and factors associated with ED consumption among the youth of the Tamale Metropolis. The study was cross-sectional, consisting of 541 participants. The group consisted of 340 males and 201 females, between the ages of 15 and 45. A questionnaire was utilized to obtain data on the respondents' consumption patterns and perceptions of EDs, as well as their socio-demographic characteristics. The results of the study indicated that a large percentage of the respondents, 98.7%, had consumed EDs before, while 78.7% currently consume them. Respondents believed that EDs provided additional energy (81.00%) and reduced stress (62.30%). However, they also perceived side effects such as insomnia (60.60%) and restlessness (51.40%). Also, the highest proportion of respondents (83.4%) had poor knowledge of EDs. They were unaware of the classification of EDs and their ingredients, side effects, and benefits. Age, marital status, level of education, work intensity, EDs served at gatherings, and knowledge of EDs was significantly associated with ED consumption (p < .05). Consumption was higher among those aged 26 to 35 years, singles, individuals with no formal education, and those with high work intensity. The high consumption was also associated with low knowledge levels. It is recommended that public health and nutrition professionals engage in further advocacy efforts to improve the youth's knowledge and perception of EDs in a positive manner. In addition, lawmakers should use legislation to influence consumption rates and safeguard the health of consumers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Williams Kobik
- Department of Health and Nutrition, Allied Relief, Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana
| | - Paul Armah Aryee
- Department of Dietetics, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Alcohol Mixed with Energy Drinks (AmED) Use among University Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14234985. [PMID: 36501015 PMCID: PMC9737502 DOI: 10.3390/nu14234985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decades, there has been a huge increase in the consumption of both Energy Drinks (EDs) and alcohol and, concurrently, these two trends generated the additional practice of mixing ED with alcohol, known as Alcohol mixed with Energy Drink (AmED). One of the most important group of AmED consumers is represented by young. Indeed, the study population of the researches in this field are mainly represented by college students and the results evidence a great range of negative consequences for health. The purpose of the systematic review was to explore the prevalence of AmED consumption among undergraduate students, together with motivations to their use, adverse effects and health-related behaviors associated to AmEDs use. The review was conducted according to the PRISMA Statement and PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were interrogated. 42 articles, published from 2008 to 2021, were included in the review. An overall prevalence rate of 37% was estimated for AmEDs use in undergraduates, with geographical differences. Although a decrease in consumption was observed throughout the studied period, a continuous monitoring on this phenomenon is needed for identifying those risk groups that could develop risky behaviors related to AmEDs consumption and provide them targeted educational interventions.
Collapse
|
3
|
Calhoun BH, Maggs JL. Pregame Heavy Episodic Drinking and Its Association With Negative Consequences and Other Risky Substance Use Behaviors. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2022; 83:793-801. [PMID: 36484576 PMCID: PMC9756404 DOI: 10.15288/jsad.20-00481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pregaming, or drinking before going out, is common among college students and has been linked with greater alcohol use and experiencing more negative consequences. This study tested within- and between-person associations between pregame heavy episodic drinking (Pregame HED; 4+/5+ drinks for women/men while pregaming) and high-intensity drinking (8+/10+ drinks), negative consequences, and three risky behaviors. METHOD College students at a large, public university in the Northeast United States who participated in a longitudinal measurement-burst design study completed a longer survey and up to 14 daily surveys in up to four consecutive semesters (n days = 4,706; n persons = 547). Hypotheses were primarily tested using logistic and Poisson multilevel models. RESULTS Pregame HED was reported by 41% of drinkers and on 15% of drinking days and 38% of pregaming days. Students were more likely to engage in high-intensity drinking on Pregame HED days than on moderate pregaming (1-3 and 1-4 pregaming drinks for women and men, respectively) or no pregaming drinking days. Students experienced more negative consequences on Pregame HED days than moderate or no pregaming drinking days, but there was no unique daily-level association between Pregame HED and negative consequences after alcohol intake was controlled. Students were more likely to use marijuana on Pregame HED days than on moderate and no pregaming drinking days. CONCLUSIONS Pregame HED appears to be a characteristic of extremely heavy drinking days and fundamentally different from moderate pregaming and no pregaming drinking days. Findings highlight the importance of accounting for amounts of alcohol consumed while pregaming and the notion that drinking episodes can be dynamic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian H. Calhoun
- Center for the Study of Health and Risk Behaviors, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jennifer L. Maggs
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Calhoun BH, Maggs JL. Day drinking among college students and its association with risky substance use behaviors. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2021; 45:2546-2559. [PMID: 34932227 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Day drinking, or drinking during the daytime, is a term used colloquially in the media and among college students based on anecdotal evidence. Drinking at tailgate parties, generally thought to be a type of day drinking, tends to be particularly heavy and to achieve levels comparable to drinking on holidays and special occasions. The objective of this study was to assess how many and how often students day drink and whether day drinking days (i.e., days drinking began before 4:00 p.m.) were associated with heavy drinking, legal intoxication, negative alcohol-related consequences, and three risky substance use behaviors. METHODS We conducted a longitudinal daily diary study of college students who were followed for their first seven semesters of college. The analytic sample includes 7,633 drinking days nested with 619 student drinkers. We used logistic and Poisson multilevel models to test associations between day drinking days and substance use outcomes and negative consequences. RESULTS Approximately 50% of drinkers drank durinng the day at least once, and day drinking occurred on 9% of drinking days. Greek organization participants reported significantly more day drinking days than non-participants. Day drinking days were characterized by heavy drinking as evidenced by strong, positive associations between day drinking and drinking to heavy episodic drinking (HED) and high-intensity drinking (HID) thresholds on a given day. In contrast, students were less likely to reach legal intoxication and experienced fewer negative alcohol-related consequences on day drinking days than days on which drinking began in the evening or nighttime. Students who reported day drinking more often throughout the study also reported having more days of drinking at the HED and HID thresholds and playing drinking games and mixed alcohol with energy drinks more frequently. CONCLUSIONS Day drinking was common among this sample of college students. Findings suggest that day drinking days may be characterized by heavy drinking and may be a behavior most typically engaged in by heavy drinkers, including members of Greek organizations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian H Calhoun
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for the Study of Health and Risk Behaviors, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jennifer L Maggs
- Department of Human Development, and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Norberg MM, Newins AR, Crone C, Ham LS, Henry A, Mills L, Dennis PA. Why are caffeinated alcoholic beverages especially risky? Addict Behav 2019; 98:106062. [PMID: 31377447 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Evidence suggests that people drink more alcohol and experience more adverse alcohol-related consequences (ARCs) on occasions when they also consume caffeine. The current study examined whether this increase in risk is a result of caffeine attenuating the subjective effects of alcohol intoxication (i.e., the masking hypothesis). METHODS Undergraduate students (n = 148) reported their drinking patterns using a modified Timeline Followback approach. For each recalled drinking occasion, alcohol consumption, caffeine consumption, perceived blood alcohol concentration, and ARCs were assessed. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine the influence that alcohol and caffeine consumption had on perceived intoxication and the experience of ARCs. RESULTS At the occasion level, greater caffeine consumption was associated with increased consumption of alcohol and increased ARCs. There was also a significant curvilinear relationship between the amount of alcohol consumed and perceived intoxication, such that the more alcohol was consumed on each occasion the less each additional drink increased perceived intoxication. Increased caffeine consumption weakened the association between alcohol consumption and perceived intoxication and it also weakened the association between alcohol consumption and ARCs. Specifically, the weakest relationship between ARCs and alcohol consumption existed at the highest level of caffeine consumption (240+ mg). Caffeine increased subjective intoxication. CONCLUSIONS These findings do not support the masking hypothesis. Caffeine was strongly associated with ARCs when consumed at high doses and this effect does not appear to be the result of drinking more alcohol or underestimating one's blood alcohol content. Efforts to reduce caffeinated alcohol beverage use are greatly needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa M Norberg
- Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Room 714, C3A Building, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Amie R Newins
- Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Cassandra Crone
- Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Room 714, C3A Building, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Lindsay S Ham
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Alastair Henry
- Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Room 714, C3A Building, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Llew Mills
- Division of Addiction Medicine, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Paul A Dennis
- Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
North KC, Chang J, Bukiya AN, Dopico AM. Extra-endothelial TRPV1 channels participate in alcohol and caffeine actions on cerebral artery diameter. Alcohol 2018; 73:45-55. [PMID: 30268908 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2018.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol (ethyl alcohol; ethanol) and caffeine are the two most widely used psychoactive substances in the world. Caffeine and ethanol have both been reported to constrict cerebral arteries in several species, including humans. We have recently shown that application of 10-μM caffeine mixed with 50 mM ethanol to in vitro pressurized cerebral arteries of rats reduced ethanol-induced constriction. This effect was dependent on the presence of nitric oxide (NO•) and could be observed in de-endothelialized arteries supplied with the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP). The molecular target(s) of ethanol-caffeine interaction in cerebral arteries has remained unknown. In the present work, we used rat and mouse middle cerebral arteries (MCA) to identify the extra-endothelial effectors of NO-mediated, caffeine-induced protection against ethanol-evoked arterial constriction. Constriction of intact MCA of rat by either 50 mM ethanol or 10 μM caffeine was ablated in the presence of a selective TRPV1 pharmacological blocker. TRPV1 pharmacological block, but not block of TRPA1, PKG, or BK channels, removed caffeine-induced protection against ethanol-evoked rat MCA constriction, whether evaluated in arteries with intact endothelium or in SNP-supplemented, de-endothelialized arteries. In mouse arteries, caffeine-induced protection against ethanol-induced MCA constriction was significantly amplified, resulting in actual vasodilation, upon pharmacological block of TRPV1, and in TRPV1 knock-out arteries. Despite some species-specific differences, our study unequivocally demonstrates the presence of functional, extra-endothelial TRPV1 that participates in both endothelium-independent MCA constriction by separate exposure to ethanol or caffeine and caffeine-induced protection against ethanol-evoked MCA constriction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey C North
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38103, United States
| | - Jennifer Chang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38103, United States
| | - Anna N Bukiya
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38103, United States
| | - Alex M Dopico
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38103, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Linden-Carmichael AN, Stamates AL, Marczinski CA, Lau-Barraco C. Mixing alcohol and energy drinks in daily life: A Commentary on Verster and Colleagues (2018). Hum Psychopharmacol 2018; 33:e2664. [PMID: 29901237 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
|
8
|
Linden-Carmichael AN, Lau-Barraco C. Daily conformity drinking motivations are associated with increased odds of consuming alcohol mixed with energy drinks. Addict Behav 2018; 79:102-106. [PMID: 29274565 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Recent research indicates that individuals drank more heavily and experienced more harms on days they consumed alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmEDs). Limited research, thus far, has examined predictors of AmED use on a daily level. Drinking motives, or reasons for drinking, are shown to discern AmED users from non-users, but the extent to which daily drinking motives covary with AmED use has not been tested. The current study used a daily diary design to determine how motives differ between AmED and other drinking occasions. Participants included 122 college students (73.8% women) with a mean age of 20.39years. Participants completed up to 14 daily surveys, resulting in 389 drinking days (40days involved AmED use). Participants reported on their drinking motives at baseline as well as on each drinking day. Multilevel models revealed that, after controlling for other motives, AmED use was more likely on days where conformity motives were higher than usual and was less likely when enhancement motives were higher. Daily social and coping motives as well as all motives measured at baseline were unassociated with AmED use. Our findings suggest that conformity motives, or drinking to fit in with others, are the most salient drinking motive predicting AmED use on a drinking day. Given that conformity motives are often less associated with alcohol use outcomes in general, these findings highlight AmEDs as a unique alcoholic beverage. Clinicians and interventionists working with frequent AmED users should consider the unique conditions under which AmEDs are consumed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley N Linden-Carmichael
- 250 Mills Godwin Building, Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, United States; 301 Biobehavioral Health Building, Department of Biobehavioral Health and the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States.
| | - Cathy Lau-Barraco
- 250 Mills Godwin Building, Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Temple JL, Bernard C, Lipshultz SE, Czachor JD, Westphal JA, Mestre MA. The Safety of Ingested Caffeine: A Comprehensive Review. Front Psychiatry 2017; 8:80. [PMID: 28603504 PMCID: PMC5445139 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive drug in the world. Natural sources of caffeine include coffee, tea, and chocolate. Synthetic caffeine is also added to products to promote arousal, alertness, energy, and elevated mood. Over the past decade, the introduction of new caffeine-containing food products, as well as changes in consumption patterns of the more traditional sources of caffeine, has increased scrutiny by health authorities and regulatory bodies about the overall consumption of caffeine and its potential cumulative effects on behavior and physiology. Of particular concern is the rate of caffeine intake among populations potentially vulnerable to the negative effects of caffeine consumption: pregnant and lactating women, children and adolescents, young adults, and people with underlying heart or other health conditions, such as mental illness. Here, we review the research into the safety and safe doses of ingested caffeine in healthy and in vulnerable populations. We report that, for healthy adults, caffeine consumption is relatively safe, but that for some vulnerable populations, caffeine consumption could be harmful, including impairments in cardiovascular function, sleep, and substance use. We also identified several gaps in the literature on which we based recommendations for the future of caffeine research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Temple
- Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | - Steven E. Lipshultz
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jason D. Czachor
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Joslyn A. Westphal
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Miriam A. Mestre
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|