Investigation into the link between energy drink consumption and mental health problems

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition & Intermediary Metabolism has investigated longitudinal associations between energy drink consumption and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress in young adults.

• A team of researchers at The University of Western Australia and Telethon Kids Institute in Australia used data gathered from the Western Australia Pregnancy Cohort.
• More than 1,000 individuals were involved in the study.
• The participants answered questionnaires in order to gather information on their energy drink use and mental health problems at the 20-year and 22-year follow-up.
• The research team used linear regression analyses in order to determine whether change in energy drink consumption across the two-year period was linked to change in Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) scores.
• They classified the results by gender and considered the participants’ DASS-21 scores, socio-demographics, physical activity, drug and alcohol use, body mass index (BMI), dietary intake, and parental mental health.
• Results revealed that after the two-year follow-up, energy drink consumption was associated with an increase in DASS depression, anxiety, and stress scores in males.
• However, no significant associations were found for females.
• The research team concluded that they found a longitudinal evidence of an association between energy drink consumption and increased anxiety, depression, and stress in young adult males.
• They suggested that further research exploring the potential role of energy drinks to the development of mental health problems in young adults is needed.

In conclusion, the findings of the study indicated that young adult males who consume energy drinks have increased risk of anxiety, depression, and stress.

For the full text of the study, go to this link.

Journal Reference:

Kaur, S, Christian H, Cooper, M, Trapp G. ENERGY DRINK CONSUMPTION AND MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS IN YOUNG ADULTS: A PROSPECTIVE INVESTIGATION. Journal of Nutrition & Intermediary Metabolism. 2017; 8: 119. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnim.2017.04.221