Boissons énergisantes : état des connaissances et consommation chez les jeunes Algériens

The consumption of energy drinks is not much documented in the world and even less in Algeria. This work proposes, therefore, to assess the extent of this trend among young Algerians via an inventory conducted among university students in quest of patterns but also, the impact of this consumption on their health. This study allowed to draw a quite worrying profile of the state of consumption of these products among youths as they can take more than one liter of beverage per day particularly to improve physical performance, which is potentially dangerous. These drinks are sometimes combined with alcohol which can promote the consumption of this latter and hide the signs of alcohol intoxication. The consumption of energy drinks is causing the appearance of adverse effects of neuropsychic, digestive or heart type. It proves to be in some consumers in the order of an “addictive behavior”. Marketing strategies of these products are frightening, making them attractive among youths for their virtues of intellectual and physical stimulants. Educating youth and their entourage about the dangers of these drinks is imperative and specific legislations in Algeria also become necessary for better management of their marketing. Habits of consumption of these products should be widely studied and a system for reporting accidents associated with their use must be established.