Alcohol consumption on alcoholmixed with energy drink (AMED) occasions versus alcohol only occasions: A meta-analysis of within-subject studies

Purpose: It has been suggested that mixing alcohol with energy drink increases overall alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to determine if mixing alcohol with energy drink (AMED) has an impact on overall alcohol consumption through examining data fromacross the world. Methods: A literature search (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO) was conducted to identify studies applying a within-subject comparison among AMED consumers comparing alcohol consumption on occasions when they consume AMED versus alcohol only occasions. The data were combined into a meta-analysis. Results: The literature search identified five studies (Price et al. 2010, Woolsey et al. 2010, Brache and Stockwell 2011, De Haan et al. 2012, Peacock et al. 2012), including N=1814 AMED consumers. The meta-analysis revealed no significant difference in overall alcohol consumption between AMED and alcohol only occasions (differences across the 5 studies; p=0.669, 95%CI:-0.183 to 0.285). Conclusion: No significant difference in overall alcohol consumption was observed between AMED and alcohol only occasions. Interestingly, the contributing studies were drawn from research in Canada, the USA, Australia and the Netherlands. Earlier research suggested possible differences in alcohol consumption between AMED and alcohol only groups. These overall findings with 1800 participants drawn from 3 continents suggest that there is no modification of alcohol consumption through the combined consumption of energy drink and alcohol when compared to alcohol alone when investigating the same participants on both drinking occasions.