| Abstract [eng] |
Caffeine is a natural stimulant of the central nervous system, abundant in foods such as coffee, tea, chocolate, energy, and cola drinks. Moderate consumption of such products positively affects the human body, but excessive amounts of caffeine can lead to discomfort and more severe health problems. It is important to find out the habits of consuming caffeinated products among the Lithuanian population, as caffeine has a significant impact on health, and there are only a few such studies in Lithuania. The aim of the study is to evaluate the knowledge of caffeine and consumption of caffeine-containing products of adults in Lithuania. The objectives of the research: 1) To evaluate the knowledge of the Lithuanian adult population about caffeine. 2) To determine the prevalence of caffeinated products among the Lithuanian adult population. 3) To assess the purpose of the Lithuanian adult population consuming caffeine products. Research methodology: An anonymous online questionnaire survey of Lithuanian adults was conducted from November 2021 - to February 2022. 497 Lithuanian adults (aged 19-64) completed questionnaires during the study. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the computer program Microsoft Office Excel 2016 and the statistical software set SPSS (version 26). The Chi square (χ2) criterion was used to determine the difference between the groups, and Fisher's exact test was used for less than five probable frequencies. Data from the ranking scale were analyzed using the Mann – Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests. The results obtained were considered statistically significant when p ≤ 0.05. Results: 87.5 percent of the Lithuanian adult population knows that caffeine increases arterial blood pressure and that it is a psychoactive substance and a substance that causes physical or psychological dependence. Almost half of the respondents (47.3 %) know the highest safe caffeine intake per adult per day, and 46.7 % know that caffeine reduces calcium absorption. Only 16.7 percent of the population rightly indicated that the consumption of caffeinated products is associated with a lower incidence of type 2 diabetes and 23.1 % knew that caffeine reduced the risk of developing Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The majority of the Lithuanian population aged 19-64 usually consume coffee and tea 1-2 times a day (respectively 57.2 % and 39.3 %), chocolate – several times a week (33.6 %), energy drinks and Coca-Cola/Pepsi – less than once a week (respectively 70.2 % and 50.0 %). Coffee, tea, chocolate, and Coca-Cola/Pepsi beverages are mostly consumed by the majority of the Lithuanian adult population because they like their taste and (or) smell (respectively 34.8 %, 59.0 %, 65.6 % and 76.0 %) and energy drinks are mostly consumed because they provide energy and increase physical capacity (64.5 %). Conclusions: The majority of the Lithuanian adult population is well aware that caffeine increases arterial blood pressure and is a psychoactive substance that causes physical or psychological dependence, but the population lacks knowledge about the recommended maximum safe caffeine intake per day and the positive effects of caffeine on the human body. The majority of Lithuanians aged 19-64 usually consume coffee and tea 1-2 times a day, chocolate several times a week, energy and Coca-Cola/Pepsi drinks less than once a week. Coffee, tea, chocolate, and Coca-Cola/Pepsi drinks are mostly consumed by the majority of the Lithuanian adult population because they like their taste and (or) smell, and energy drinks are mostly chosen for consumption because they provide energy and increase physical capacity. Keywords: caffeine, caffeinated products, consumption, knowledge, Lithuanian adults. |
