Beverage-based caffeine intake and high consumption trends among Korean adults, 2016–2024: a nationwide population-based study
- 1Department of Biostatistics, Clinical Trial Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital , ,
- 2Department of Family Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital , ,
Abstract
Background: Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance worldwide, yet nationally representative evidence on long-term consumption trends remains limited in Korea. This study aimed to evaluate temporal trends in beverage-derived caffeine intake among Korean adults between 2016 and 2024, identify major beverage sources, and examine demographic factors associated with high caffeine intake (≥400 mg/day).
Methods: Data were obtained from the 7–9th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. We included adults aged ≥19 years with valid 24-h dietary recall data. Caffeinated beverages were identified using beverage food codes and product information recorded in the dietary database and classified into five categories: coffee, tea, energy drinks, cola-type beverages, and cocoa-based beverages. Daily caffeine intake was estimated using beverage-specific caffeine concentrations derived from national monitoring data. Survey-weighted linear and logistic regression models accounting for the complex sampling design were used to assess temporal trends and associations with high caffeine intake.
Results: Among 48,991 adults, mean daily caffeine intake increased over time (β = 1.66 mg/day per year; 95% CI, 1.05–2.27), and the odds of high caffeine intake also increased (OR = 1.05 per year; 95% CI, 1.02–1.07). Coffee was consumed by 90.8% of caffeine consumers, with a shift from coffee mixes toward brewed coffee. Women aged 30–44 years had higher odds of high caffeine intake (aOR = 1.62; 95% CI, 1.21–2.16), whereas adults aged ≥65 years had lower overall odds (men: aOR = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.25–0.53; women: aOR = 0.23; 95% CI, 0.12–0.44).
Conclusions: Caffeine intake among Korean adults has increased, driven by shifts in coffee consumption. The rising odds of high caffeine intake among working-age adults highlights the need for continued surveillance and targeted public health guidance.
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BibTeX
@article{kim2026beveragebased,
title = {{Beverage-based caffeine intake and high consumption trends among Korean adults, 2016–2024: a nationwide population-based study}},
author = {Jinmi Kim and Gyu Lee Kim and Young Jin Tak and Seung Hun Lee and Young Jin Ra and Yu Hyeon Yi},
journal = {Frontiers in nutrition},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fnut.2026.1913422},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13724484},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Beverage-based caffeine intake and high consumption trends among Korean adults, 2016–2024: a nationwide population-based study
AU - Jinmi Kim
AU - Gyu Lee Kim
AU - Young Jin Tak
AU - Seung Hun Lee
AU - Young Jin Ra
AU - Yu Hyeon Yi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/19
JO - Frontiers in nutrition
DO - 10.3389/fnut.2026.1913422
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13724484
AB - Background: Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance worldwide, yet nationally representative evidence on long-term consumption trends remains limited in Korea. This study aimed to evaluate temporal trends in beverage-derived caffeine intake among Korean adults between 2016 and 2024, identify major beverage sources, and examine demographic factors associated with high caffeine intake (≥400 mg/day). Methods: Data were obtained from the 7–9th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. We included adults aged ≥19 years with valid 24-h dietary recall data. Caffeinated beverages were identified using beverage food codes and product information recorded in the dietary database and classified into five categories: coffee, tea, energy drinks, cola-type beverages, and cocoa-based beverages. Daily caffeine intake was estimated using beverage-specific caffeine concentrations derived from national monitoring data. Survey-weighted linear and logistic regression models accounting for the complex sampling design were used to assess temporal trends and associations with high caffeine intake. Results: Among 48,991 adults, mean daily caffeine intake increased over time (β = 1.66 mg/day per year; 95% CI, 1.05–2.27), and the odds of high caffeine intake also increased (OR = 1.05 per year; 95% CI, 1.02–1.07). Coffee was consumed by 90.8% of caffeine consumers, with a shift from coffee mixes toward brewed coffee. Women aged 30–44 years had higher odds of high caffeine intake (aOR = 1.62; 95% CI, 1.21–2.16), whereas adults aged ≥65 years had lower overall odds (men: aOR = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.25–0.53; women: aOR = 0.23; 95% CI, 0.12–0.44). Conclusions: Caffeine intake among Korean adults has increased, driven by shifts in coffee consumption. The rising odds of high caffeine intake among working-age adults highlights the need for continued surveillance and targeted public health guidance.
SN - 2296-861X
ER -