Estonians less energy-drink-thirsty than expected

Photo: Peeter Langovits / Postimees

National Institute for Health Development study reveals Estonians opt to get their caffeine from coffee.

As requested by Ministry of Agriculture, Institute for Health Development (TAI) did a survey of energy drinks consumption, among inhabitants of Estonia aged 7 to 45. At that, those interviewed were split into three groups: 1^st to 6^th graders (452); 7^th to 12^th graders and students at vocational schools and universities (2,766); and working-age people aged 16-45 people (900).

For the taste of it

The study shows energy drinks start to be consumed at ages 10 to 15, mostly. At that, the drinks are not a major issue amongst 1-6 graders, as 85 per cent have never tried these – if only for once.

Lion’s share of energy drinks consumers were to be found in the second group – a whopping 93 per cent admitting trying these out.  Regular drinkers i.e. those consuming such drinks at least thrice a month only amounted to 9.6 per cent, however. Such regularity was highest amongst vocational students aged 18-22 (23 per cent of consumers do so regularly).

The main reason for such behaviour is the pleasant taste of said drinks; as well as desire to quench thirst, beat tiredness and lack of energy.

«Energy drink is no thirst quencher, neither does it provide for added energy – in spite of what the ads say,» said TAI research fellow Tagli Pitsi, adding that the abundant caffeine contained in the drinks would rather lead, with excessive consumption, to health disorders and feeling bad. «Also, energy drinks contain high amounts of sugar, leading, with excessive consumption, to weight gain and decay of teeth. For instance: having consumed 300 ml of energy drink a day, no more sweets should be eaten [that day].»

Regular «energy-drinkers» consume a daily average of 324 millilitres (1^st group); 436 ml (2^nd group); and 462 ml (3^rd). «We feared it would be worse,» admitted Ms Pitsi.

«My gut feeling was the consumers would be more numerous; even so, I would not say energy drinks are not a problem. The topic needs a general approach. With the 2015 foods consumption study ready, we will be able to assess caffeine consumed. Caffeine sources are numerous,» said Martin Minjajev, food safety department head at Ministry of Agriculture. 

Agreements hoped

«The situation is not catastrophic; even so, the problem exists,» said minister of agriculture Helir-Valdor Seeder. In his estimation, ministries of agriculture, social affairs and education ought to team up for an information campaign – for energy drinks not to be consumed out of thirst of in place of sports drinks. Also Mr Seeder thinks free-will agreements are possible to limit sales of energy drinks.

As people consume energy drinks related to physical effort or with alcohol, TAI thinks the hazards ought to be voiced louder.

The study revealed Estonians prefer coffee – not energy drinks – for to get their dose of caffeine. People avoiding coffee or trying it just once, last year, amounted to 47 per cent, 23.7 per cent and 11.4 per cent, in groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Percentage of daily coffee drinkers was 4 per cent, 22.7 per cent and 62.8 (!) per cent.