title: Consumption of caffeinated beverages and the awareness of their caffeine content among Dutch students.
abstract: The purpose of the current study was to examine the knowledge of caffeine content of a variety of caffeinated beverages among Dutch university students. A pencil-and-paper survey was conducted among N = 800 Dutch students. Most participants (87.8%) reported consuming caffeinated beverages during the past 24 h. Their mean ± SD past 24-h caffeine intake from beverages was 144.2 ± 169.5 mg (2.2 ± 3.0 mg/kg bw). Most prevalent sources of caffeine were coffee beverages (50.8%) and tea (34.8%), followed by energy drink (9.2%), cola (4.7%), and chocolate milk (0.5%). Participants had poor knowledge on the relative caffeine content of caffeinated beverages. That is, they overestimated the caffeine content of energy drinks and cola, and underestimated the caffeine content of coffee beverages. If caffeine consumption is a concern, it is important to inform consumers about the caffeine content of all caffeine containing beverages, including coffee and tea. The current findings support previous research that the most effective way to reduce caffeine intake is to limit the consumption of coffee beverages and tea.
authors.affiliation: Utrecht University, Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marlou
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mackus
authors.affiliation: Utrecht University, Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Aurora J A E
authors.initials: AJAE
authors.lastname: van de Loo
authors.affiliation: Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, 3122 VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, 3122 VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scholey
authors.affiliation: Utrecht University, Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, 3122 VIC, Australia. Electronic address: j.c.verster@uu.nl.
authors.forename: Joris C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Verster
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001364:Awareness; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000032:analysis; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards; D000069956:Chocolate / Q000032:analysis; D003069:Coffee / Q000737:chemistry; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D004327:Drinking Behavior; D061215:Energy Drinks / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry; D009426:Netherlands; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003069:Coffee; D013662:Tea; D002110:Caffeine
keywords: Awareness; Beverages; Caffeine