Faculty mentor/PI email address
powersj@rowan.edu
Keywords
caffeine, energy drinks, cardiovascular risk, sleep disturbance
IRB or IACUC Protocol Number
PRO-2025-104
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
Background: Caffeine consumption among adolescents and young adults has increased significantly with the popularity of energy drinks, pre-workout supplements, and high-caffeine beverages. Excessive intake is associated with cardiovascular risk, yet awareness of safe limits remains low. This study evaluated caffeine use patterns, knowledge of guidelines, and self-reported cardiovascular effects among youth.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to individuals aged 15–25 years (n=27) in clinical settings. Respondents reported frequency of caffeine intake, product types consumed, knowledge of recommended daily limits, and cardiovascular symptoms experienced while caffeinated.
Results: Most participants (70%) consumed caffeine regularly, with coffee, soda, and energy drinks as the most common sources. Only 33% correctly identified the recommended maximum daily intake of 400 mg. Several participants reported cardiovascular symptoms including tremors, rapid heart rate, and palpitations while caffeinated. The majority of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that they knew the exact caffeine content of their beverages.
Conclusions: These findings highlight a significant knowledge gap among adolescents and young adults regarding safe caffeine consumption. The combination of regular high-caffeine product use, poor awareness of recommended limits, lack of knowledge about beverage caffeine content, and reported cardiovascular symptoms reinforces concerns about health risks in this population. Increased awareness campaigns, clinical screening, and targeted education are warranted to promote safe caffeine use and reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular events among youth.
Disciplines
Chemicals and Drugs | Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition | Medicine and Health Sciences | Population Health
Included in
Chemicals and Drugs Commons, Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons, Population Health Commons
Assessing Risk of Modern Energy Product Consumption Among Adolescents and Young Adults
Background: Caffeine consumption among adolescents and young adults has increased significantly with the popularity of energy drinks, pre-workout supplements, and high-caffeine beverages. Excessive intake is associated with cardiovascular risk, yet awareness of safe limits remains low. This study evaluated caffeine use patterns, knowledge of guidelines, and self-reported cardiovascular effects among youth.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to individuals aged 15–25 years (n=27) in clinical settings. Respondents reported frequency of caffeine intake, product types consumed, knowledge of recommended daily limits, and cardiovascular symptoms experienced while caffeinated.
Results: Most participants (70%) consumed caffeine regularly, with coffee, soda, and energy drinks as the most common sources. Only 33% correctly identified the recommended maximum daily intake of 400 mg. Several participants reported cardiovascular symptoms including tremors, rapid heart rate, and palpitations while caffeinated. The majority of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that they knew the exact caffeine content of their beverages.
Conclusions: These findings highlight a significant knowledge gap among adolescents and young adults regarding safe caffeine consumption. The combination of regular high-caffeine product use, poor awareness of recommended limits, lack of knowledge about beverage caffeine content, and reported cardiovascular symptoms reinforces concerns about health risks in this population. Increased awareness campaigns, clinical screening, and targeted education are warranted to promote safe caffeine use and reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular events among youth.