Energy drink consumption among university students: Cross-cultural and gender differences between Croatia and India
Valentina Obradović1*, Surya Mavilla2, Marija Grgić1
1Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of tourism and rural development in Požega, Vukovarska 17, 34000 Požega, Croatia
2Cochin University of Science and Technology, X77M+Q52, Foreshore Rd, Pallimukku, Emakulam, Kerala 682016, India
| ARTICLE INFO | ABSTRACT |
| TYPE: Original scientific paper https://doi.org/10.17508/CJFST.2025.17.2.08 |
Energy drinks (EDs) have gained widespread popularity among young adults, yet their consumption carries potentially harmful health risks, including cardiovascular and neurological risks. This comparative study examines energy drink (EDs) consumption among 690 university students from Croatia (n=370) and India (n=323), focusing on cross-cultural and gender differences. Croatian students consumed EDs more frequently (95.1% of males vs. 87.1% in India) and started earlier (58.8% of Croatian males before age 15 vs. 23.9% Indian males). Mixing EDs with alcohol was far more common in Croatia (74% vs. 13%). Indian students showed stronger gender gaps: 87.1% of males vs. 67.9% of females had tried EDs, and males were significantly more informed (44% vs. 21%). Croatian females were more cautious, with 88.8% supporting a ban for minors, compared to 65.7% of Croatian males. Despite higher awareness, Croatian students reported more frequent side effects (e.g. rapid heartbeat in 32.8% of females). The findings emphasize the need for culturally and gender-sensitive health education and regulatory policies. |
| *CORRESPONDENCE Valentina Obradović vobradovic@ftrr.hr |
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| ARTICLE HISTORY Received: June 23, 2025 Accepted: September 1, 2025 |
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| CITATION Obradović V, Mavilla S, Grgić M. Energy drink consumption among university students: Cross-cultural and gender differences between Croatia and India. Croatian Journal of Food Science and Technology (2025) 17 (2) 1―15 |
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 COPYRIGHT: © 2025 by the author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). |
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| KEYWORDS
energy drinks; students; gender differences; India; Croatia |
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| KEY CONTRIBUTION
First cross-national study comparing EDs use among Croatian and Indian university students (N = 690). Croatian students started to consume EDs earlier, consumed more often, and reported more side effects despite higher health risk awareness. Indian students showed stronger gender differences in activity, awareness, and motivations. 74% of Croatian students mixed EDs with alcohol, posing serious health risks. Results call for targeted education, stricter labelling, and harm-reduction policies. |