Comparative Study of Caffeinated Drinks Consumption Pre- and Post-COVID-19 among University Students in the Metropolitan Area in Korea

Objectives: We conducted a study on the consumption of caffeinated drinks, which have been very popular in University students in Korea, and a comparative study on the consumption pre- and post-COVID-19 of caffeinated energy drinks. Methods: The subjects of the study were college students attending universities located in the metropolitan area in Korea, and the analysis was conducted using data from a total of 252 people. In addition, the response data of 137 people in 2018 and 115 people in 2022 were used for the analysis. Results: We investigated the amount of caffeinated drinks consumed, the reason for consumption, changes in the amount consumed during special periods, the influence of caffeinated beverages, whether they experienced side effects from caffeine and the duration of side effects, whether they interfered with daily life, and their intention to consume caffeinated energy drinks in the future, and the results were presented. Conclusion: In the difference analysis by demographic and socioeconomic items as a result of the comparison before and after COVID-19, it was analyzed that most items showed statistically significant differences at the significance level of p<.05, and the results were presented. Additionally, statistically significant differences were also found in several questions depending on gender and research period.