Energy drink consumption among medical students of Taif University

Previous studies show that energy drink (ED) consumption was very common among medical students. The study aimed to assess the frequency and pattern of energy drink consumption among Taif University medical students and their knowledge of the effect and side effects of EDs.

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a pretested and validated questionnaire, which was distributed to all medical students in the University, of which we received responses from 256 medical students. The final sample included responses from 207 students who fulfilled the study criteria. All the responses were entered and analyzed through satistical package for social science (SPSS) version 23 by an independent biostatistician.

The prevalence of using energy drinks was 74.88%, where a non-significant relationship was present between EDs usage and participants'age, gender, and academic year. Participants with ages ranging from 21 to23 years, male students, and those in the 5^th academic year significantly believed that EDs are effective. Students in the 2^nd and 3^rd academic year were the ones who consumed energy drinks daily than others (P < 0.05). The most commonly consumed ED brands were Code Red and Red bull.

There was a high prevalence of energy drinks consumption among medical students. The majority of the participants were aware of the side effects of increased ED consumption. Primary care physicians play an essential role in our society, so they should educate families and young adults about the risk of energy drinks.