Alcohol mixed energy drink usage and risk-taking among college students in Western New York State.

Alcohol mixed energy drinks (AmED) may promote excessive alcohol intake and risk-taking among college students. To understand the relationship between AmED use and risky behavior as well as attitudes and motivations for AmED use. Undergraduate college students N = 422 (Study 1), N = 37 (Study 2).

Reinforcing Value of Caffeinated and Noncaffeinated Beverages After Acute Exposure in Children and Adolescents.

When caffeine is added to beverages, it increases beverage liking and the relative reinforcing value (RRV) of these beverages after repeated exposure. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a single acute exposure to caffeine increases liking and motivation to consume sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) relative to placebo. Participants were children ages 8-9 years ( = 36) and adolescents ages 15-17 years ( = 41) with an approximately equal number of boys and girls.

Effects of acute and chronic caffeine on risk-taking behavior in children and adolescents.

Consumption of caffeinated beverages is associated with increased risk-taking behavior. The purpose of this study was to determine if acute caffeine administration influences risk-taking behavior in a dose-dependent manner. Participants were pre- (ages 8-9) and post-pubertal (ages 15-17) children who visited the laboratory three times and consumed a beverage containing 0, 1, or 2 mg/kg of caffeine.

Cardiovascular responses to caffeine by gender and pubertal stage.

Background: Caffeine use is on the rise among children and adolescents. Previous studies from our laboratory reported gender differences in the effects of caffeine in adolescents. The purpose of this study was to test the hypotheses that gender differences in cardiovascular responses to caffeine emerge after puberty and that cardiovascular responses to caffeine differ across the phases of the menstrual cycle.

Influence of caffeine on the liking of novel-flavored soda in adolescents.

Background: Soda manufacturers claim that caffeine is added to soda as a flavor enhancer, but many researchers have speculated that caffeine is added to increase the hedonic and reinforcing properties of the soda. Studies in adults have demonstrated that caffeine can condition flavor preferences when added to novel-flavored beverages.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that caffeine added to novel-flavored drinks would increase liking and preference in adolescents.