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Energy drink (ED) consumption has become a common trend, especially among the youth. Hence, the purpose of this study was undertaken to assess the ED consumption pattern among the university students and investigate the independent predictors for their preference of such drinks.

It was a cross-sectional study conducted among 323 students from various departments of Noakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh.

Among students, about 57 per cent were male, and mostly between 21-23 years. About 31 per cent of the students had never consumed ED, while 69 per cent had consumed such drinks at least once in their lifetime. Only 31.4 per cent of the ever consumer had knowledge of its components, and 14.3 per cent of them did not know the negative effects of ED. Bivariate analysis identified the variables that were significantly associated with students’ consumption of ED. Taking the significant factors into a multivariate model, the risks of ED consumption were male gender (OR = 3.82; 95 per cent CI = 2.24 − 6.52), longer study duration in university (OR = 1.02; 95 per cent CI = 1.00 − 1.03) and doing regular physical activity (OR = 1.69; 95 per cent CI = 1.04 − 2.75).

High consumption of ED among university students is evident, yet their perception regarding components and potential health hazards of such drinks is opaque. This study results suggest the necessity of formulating policy and intervention strategies concentrating on the predictors of ED consumption to promote consciousness about ingredients and related health effects of ED among students of all levels in Bangladesh and other countries as well.