Change in Caffeine Consumption after Pandemic (CCAP-Study) among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study from Italy

Abstract

(1) Background: The lockdown, imposed to limit the pandemic evolution, impacted the social habits and lifestyle of inhabitants also from many countries other than Italy. Caffeine consumption could be a useful option to improve mood, as the lockdown strongly affected mental health, particularly increasing anxiety and sleep disorders. (2) Methods: It was a cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the change in caffeine consumption after the pandemic period in a sample of Italian University students. It investigated coffee and products containing caffeine consumption, the anxiety level by State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and sleep quality with the Insomnia Severity Index (ISS). (3) Results: A total of 404 participants were enrolled in the study. During the lockdown period, 23% of subjects consumed more coffee compared to the pre-pandemic period. Daily coffee consumption also changed after the lockdown period compared to the pre-pandemic period, with 36.1% of subjects that increased their consumption. Comparing other caffeine-based products, energizing supplement consumption showed a greater increase after the lockdown period than energy drinks. Regarding anxiety, subjects who reported increased coffee consumption reported higher STAI scores and ISS. (4) Conclusions: About a quarter of university students increased their consumption of caffeine-based products after the pandemic, reporting higher levels of anxiety and poor sleep quality.