Українська Abstract
Energy drink consumption among students is a widespread phenomenon that requires scientific analysis given the potential health risks. The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence, motives, frequency and intensity of energy drink consumption among students of different courses, as well as to assess their attitudes towards the potential health effects. The study was conducted using an online survey of 166 first-, second- and third-year students, using descriptive statistics and comparative analysis. It was found that more than half of the students surveyed consume energy drinks regularly or occasionally, with the frequency of consumption increasing significantly with each year of study. It was found that senior students are more likely to consume energy drinks several times a week or daily, which indicates the formation of stable behavioural patterns of stimulant consumption. The most common motives for consumption are overcoming fatigue, compensating for sleep deprivation, increasing mental performance and taste preferences. It was found that a significant proportion of respondents do not read or only occasionally pay attention to the composition of energy drinks, and also have fragmentary knowledge about the safe daily intake of caffeine. Regular consumers more often report sleep disturbances, increased irritability, episodes of palpitations, and decreased concentration, which indicates functional overload of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. The results indicated an insufficient level of awareness of the medical and biological risks associated with energy drink consumption and a potential tendency among students to develop stimulant behaviour. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of using the results to develop preventive and educational programmes aimed at raising students’ awareness of the safe consumption of energy drinks and the formation of health-saving behaviour in educational institutions
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