Among 404 university students in Southern Italy, 27.9% consumed energy drinks and 36.7% regularly used dietary supplements, with use linked to specific sporting activities rather than general lifestyle risks, suggesting a need for targeted educational interventions.
About 28% of surveyed university students reported consuming energy drinks.
More than one third of students regularly used dietary supplements, mainly proteins and amino acids.
The sample had a high prevalence of smoking and physical inactivity.
Energy drink consumption was positively associated with male sex.
Energy drink consumption was positively associated with team sports participation.
Dietary supplement use was higher among physically active students and strongly associated with weight training and aerobic exercise.
Male sex was negatively associated with dietary supplement use in multivariable analysis.
Smoking status and BMI were not significantly associated with energy drink or dietary supplement use.
The authors conclude that ED and DS use is linked to specific sporting activities rather than general lifestyle risks, and suggest targeted education.
This study surveyed 404 university students in Southern Italy about their use of energy drinks and dietary supplements. About 28% drank energy drinks, and about 37% regularly took supplements, most often proteins and amino acids. Many students also smoked (45%) or did not exercise regularly (68%). Energy drink use was more common among men and among students who played team sports. Supplement use was far more common among those who did weight training, and also higher among those doing aerobic exercise, but was lower among men than women after accounting for other factors. Smoking and body mass index were not linked to using either product. This research suggests that use of these products is tied more to particular sports activities than to generally unhealthy habits. The authors suggest educational programs aimed at specific groups, such as athletes and gym-goers, might help people use these products more knowingly. Because this was a one-time online survey with mostly female students in health-related courses, the results may not apply to all young people and cannot show cause and effect.
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Upload Your LabsVaccaro F, Di Martino G, Di Giovanni P, Staniscia T. (2026). Consumption of Energy Drinks and Use of Dietary Supplements Among Italian University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.. Nutrients. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18203386