• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.407-420
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• 2014

A survey was carried out regarding university students' recognition of high-caffeine energy drinks in an effort to identify and improve problems as well as provide basic data. Most of the subjects had previous experience of energy drink consumption. Studies showed that most students consumed energy drinks when studying. Regarding frequency of energy drink consumption, most students' responded "1~6 times a year"; female students showed lower frequency of energy drink consumption than male students. Both male and female students used convenience stores to purchase energy drinks. In most cases, students became aware of energy drinks through advertisements on TV, radio, newspapers, and magazines. The most important factor affecting their energy drink purchase and consumption status was taste. The most frequent adverse effect they experienced after drinking an energy drink was unusual heart-pounding, whereas the biggest problem caused by energy drink consumption was addiction. This study indicates that students should have a better understanding of the problems associated with excessive and prolonged high-caffeine intake. In addition, instructions for proper purchasing and consumption of high-caffeine energy drinks should be provided as well as education and campaigns concerning symptoms caused by high-caffeine energy drink consumption so that students may refrain from excessive consumption. Further, civil organizations and the government need to devise effective measures for proper regulation of high-caffeine energy drink consumption.