BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The increasing market for energy drinks (EDs) in recent years, as well as the health risks caused by their consumption, prompt calls to estimate the prevalence of ED use among different countries. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the prevalence of ED use in different continents and age groups.

METHOD: We searched two databases (i.e. PubMed and PsycInfo) on 31 March 2023 to identify studies reporting the prevalence of ED use. A total of 192 studies (196 distinct samples; n = 1 120 613; 53.37% males) from the United States, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa were included in the analysis. A random-effects model was applied to estimate the overall pooled prevalence at several time-periods. Subgroup analyses were performed to provide prevalence based on continent and age group. The quality of articles was assessed using Joana Brigg's Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. Measurements included prevalence of ED use (i.e. life-time, past 12 months, past 30 days, past 7 days and daily use), continent and age group (i.e. children, adolescents, young adults and adults).

RESULTS: The life-time ED use world-wide-pooled prevalence was estimated to be 54.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 48.8-60.6; I  = 99.80], 43.4% (95% CI = 36.1-50.6; I  = 99.92) in the past 12 months, 32.3% (95% CI = 28.8-35.8; I  = 99.82) in the past 30 days, 21.6% (95% CI = 18.7-24.5; I  = 99.95) in the past 7 days and 8.82% (95% CI = 6.3-11.4; I  = 99.95) daily ED use. Subgroups analyses showed significant differences in ED life-time use within age groups (P = 0.002) and continents (P = 0.035).

CONCLUSIONS: The world-wide prevalence of energy drink use appears to be high, particularly among adolescents and young adults.