Impact of caffeine and information relating to caffeine on young adults' liking, healthiness perception and intended use of model energy drinks

Abstract Caffeine is added to energy drinks to boost energy levels however, there is little information on its impact on taste, healthiness image and how it impacts on intended use. The aim of this project was to understand the impact of caffeine and information relating to caffeine on young adults' perception of model energy drinks. A consumer panel of 107 young adults was recruited to assess one caffeinated and one caffeine free model drink in blind condition (no information about the presence of caffeine) and informed condition (with appropriate information about whether the drink contained caffeine or not). Energy drinks only contributed 5.2% to the participants' overall caffeine intake behind coffee and tea and their consumption appeared to be irregular rather than habitual. Caffeine in concentrations found in energy drinks could be detected by consumers and both caffeine presence and caffeine information had a small but significant detrimental effect on overall liking and liking of the bitterness level. Information relating to caffeine presence significantly decreased healthiness perception; however, it had a minimum impact on intended use. The most popular intended use for both the caffeine free and caffeinated model energy drinks was with alcohol.