Energy drink consumption and adverse health effects of university students

Reyes Narváez S.; Núñez Zarazu L.; Oyola Canto M.; Del Pilar Pajuelo Villarreal R. · Nutricion Clinica y Dietetica Hospitalaria (2025) · DOI: 10.12873/454reyes

Resumen

Introduction: Energy drinks contain caffeine, taurine, and other stimulants marketed as energy-boosting and concentration-enhancing substances, but their consumption can have a variety of harmful health effects. Consumption by university students is very common worldwide, which can cause health risks. Objective: To determine the adverse effects associated with energy drink consumption among students at the Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo National University. Materials and Methods: A non-experimental research study was conducted with 216 male and female students over the age of 16, enrolled in the Engineering, Education, and Accounting programs at the Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo National University. Data were collected using a valid and reliable 13-item questionnaire that assessed gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and neurological adverse effects. Relationship analysis was performed using Cramer’s V coefficient. Results: There is a strong relationship between the frequency of energy drink consumption and cardiovascular symptoms (p=0.000; V=0.792), digestive symptoms (p=0.003; V=0.703), and neurological symptoms (p=0.000; V=0.774). Similarly, regarding knowledge about energy drinks, 20.60% of education students were not informed of the adverse effects, and 24.54% were unaware of their ingredients. Conclusion: Energy drink consumption is associated with adverse health effects in Engineering, Education, and Accounting students at the Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo National University. Adverse effects include cardiovascular symptoms manifesting as tingling in the extremities, increased blood pressure, palpitations, and dizziness. Similarly, digestive disorders include abdominal pain, dehydration, and decreased appetite. Finally, neurological symptoms include nervousness, mood swings, muscle weakness, confusion, and blurred vision.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Barranca; Universidad Nacional Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo