It is a great pride to belong to a prestigious institution with a resounding reputation and a long history of academic excellence. The joy is felt in every student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) whenever the school anthem is recited within and beyond the campus walls. This sense of identity also brings with it a purpose to validate one’s status as a proud OAU student.
The intense pressure to meet academic demands on the OAU campus has propelled many students, regardless of their departments, to embrace the culture of consuming various energy drinks to help them meet these academic standards.
What are energy drinks?
Energy drinks are beverages designed to increase alertness, activity, and reduce fatigue. They contain caffeine, sugar, amino acids like taurine, and B vitamins, which are marketed as performance boosters. While these ingredients support body and brain functions, the main ‘energy boost’ students feel usually comes from caffeine and sugar, rather than the added vitamins or amino acids.
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The latest developments have become a prevalent topic of concern on the OAU campus and demand thorough evaluation as well as the views of these students.
“Academic pressure compelled me to take it so I do not have a choice,” said Abdul-Quadri Abiade, a Part 3 student in the Department of Civil Engineering.
Students’ views
Akintayo Damilare, a Part 3 student in the Faculty of Dentistry, disclosed that he does not take energy drinks to study; instead, he ensures he gets enough sleep before he begins reading, rather than depending on energy drinks and other stimulants.
In another session with Ojo Tosin, a Part 5 student in the Nursing Department, she describes energy drinks as ‘drinks taken to reboost one’s energy,’ although she said she does not consume them.
According to Adebiyi Eniola, a Part 1 student in the Department of Microbiology, she prefers carbonated drinks over energy drinks for studying and stated, ‘Too much of energy drinks is not good.’
Jesupemi Ojewusi, a Part 1 student in the English Department, said she has been warned not to take energy drinks and that she had to comply. She also added that energy drinks affect one’s sleep.
Chemical composition of energy drinks
Facts from science indicate that energy drinks contain caffeine, a primary active compound in almost every energy drink, which goes by the chemical name 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine. It is responsible for stimulating the central nervous system, thereby reducing fatigue and increasing alertness. Energy drinks also contain large amounts of sugar, amino acids, and B vitamins. While a high intake of sugar is intended to provide a sudden burst of energy and improve taste, when high levels of sugar are combined with caffeine, it can cause a rise in blood pressure, increased heart rate, palpitations, and reduced sleep quality.
B vitamins in energy drinks help the body process energy from food, but they do not supply energy themselves. Therefore, when there is no food or rest, B vitamins have nothing to work with. Research further explains that when B vitamins are taken in normal amounts, they aid in concentration and memory, help the brain function properly, and reduce tiredness caused by poor nutrition. However, when taken frequently, excess amounts are wasted in urine and can cause stomach discomfort, headaches, and a sensation of heat.
Amino acids, another ingredient in energy drinks, support muscles, the brain, the nerves, and help ensure normal body functions. They are added to balance the effects of caffeine and to support body and brain function, helping the body cope with stress. Frequent consumption of energy drinks can lead to restlessness, dehydration, increased heart rate, and more.
Harmful effects of energy drinks
Adebiyi Eniola also revealed that she has previously consumed energy drinks, stating, ‘I have an ulcer, so it normally triggers my ulcer.’ She affirmed that “too much caffeine is not good for students and adults.’
Akintayo Damilare added his observations regarding the side effects of energy drinks: ‘They increase your breathing rate’ and over time, they can cause irregular heartbeat.’
Ojo Tosin shared her perspective on the adverse effects of energy drinks among students, saying, ‘The person becomes more burnt out than normal because every moment that could have been used to rest has been spent on energy drinks, postponing sleep. So when everything finally catches up, you are extremely exhausted.’ She emphasised the long-term effects of energy drinks, warning that they could result in diabetes.
According to Abdul-Quadri Abiade, 80% of the student population at OAU consumes energy drinks because of academic pressure. He mentioned that whenever he consumes energy drinks for three consecutive days without rest, it results in a headache; however, he is able to perform the tasks he wants to do without feeling fatigued.
Ayomide Okogun, a Part 4 student in the Department of Business Administration, also spoke about the harmful effects associated with the consumption of energy drinks. He believes that the negative effects will only surface when these drinks are consumed frequently, such as increased blood sugar levels, diabetes, and addiction resulting from frequent consumption.
Health-wise Alternatives
While considering the pressure OAU students experience in order to meet academic expectations, here are some feasible alternatives that many OAU students adopt to combat drowsiness. ‘Whenever I feel sleepy, I listen to music and chew gum,’ said Winifred Akande, a Part 3 student in the Department of Geology. She further explained that caffeinated drinks do not affect her, and she stays active longer than those who consume them.
Speaking on alternatives to energy drinks, Ojo Tosin disclosed that she ensures she sleeps before night study, and if drowsiness surfaces, she takes a walk around her location until the drowsiness wears off gradually. Onifade Toheeb, a Part 1 Mass Communication student, expressed his own method of staying active while studying: ‘I either use my AirPods to listen to music, or I drink water,’ he stated.
According to research, safer alternatives for students are always within reach, which include:
- Moderate Intake of Coffee: While caffeine is the main ingredient in coffee, it does not contain the excess additives found in energy drinks, and it is usually diluted with little or no sugar. Moderate coffee consumption boosts cognitive alertness and reaction time with fewer long-term health risks.
- Consumption of Natural Foods: Instead of relying on stimulants, consuming foods provides glucose and micronutrients that fuel the brain gradually, such as eggs, yoghurt, bananas (natural sugars + potassium), oats (complex carbohydrates), etc.
- Frequent Intake of Water: Although energy drinks can also lead to dehydration, they come with side effects. Proper and regular hydration improves cognitive performance and prolongs attention span, thereby preventing drowsiness. Students should ensure they stay hydrated while studying.
While it is understandable that many OAU students depend on energy drinks to cope with academic pressure and survive long nights and tight schedules, many students lack full knowledge and awareness of the contents of these energy drinks. The choice to consume them should be individual and not a necessity. Students can always opt for healthier alternatives that involve less risk and fewer side effects. The culture of academic stress may be the cause, but students should ensure they have better awareness of the implications of these energy drinks, cultivate smarter habits, and avoid the intake of stimulants that pose long-term health risks.