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Several countries have banned energy drink (ED) sales within the markets claiming to
cause health effects among the consumers. A cross-sectional study was carried out in
Morogoro municipal in Morogoro region, Tanzania, to determine ED consumption rate,
knowledge and perceived side effects among long distance car drivers. A total of 150
respondents (2 females, 148 males) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. In
addition, 12 samples of EDs products were collected from six common ED brands and
their caffeine content analyzed using UV-Vis Spectrophotometer. About 55.3% of the long
distance car drivers consumed three bottles of EDs per day, only 28.0% had high level of
knowledge concerning ED consumption guidelines. Almost 97.3% of the respondents
reported to have experienced side effects they link with consumption of EDs. The most
common reported side effects were insomnia, restlessness and addiction and heart
palpitations, as mentioned by 75.3%, 64.7%, 51.3% and 48% of the respondents,
respectively. Mo Energy drink brand contained about 28.1(mg/100ml) of caffeine, which
was nearly 1.6 times the caffeine concentration that was presented in the product
information label. Overall, consumption rate of EDs among long distance car drivers is
high whereby more than half of respondents 58.0% were consuming more than two
bottles per day and hence, exceeding the daily recommended intake. Public health
education is urgently needed to guide consumers of EDs and inform on the potential
health adverse effects that may be caused by excessive intakes. Manufactures of EDs
most honestly indicate the amount of caffeine and other ingredients on the package label
in order for the consumers to know the right amounts of ingredients. They consume as
well as the public health authorities should provide education to guide consumers of EDs
and inform on the potential health adverse effects that may be caused by excessive intake. |
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