Energy drinks are beverages containing caffeine that improve alertness and provide a short-term energy boost. Energy drinks have become increasingly popular among university students, particularly those in demanding academic fields such as nursing.

This study explores the knowledge and consumption patterns of energy drinks among nursing students at the University of Sulaimani.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 students to assess their awareness of energy drink ingredients, their perceived benefits, and potential health risks.

Results: The findings indicate that 96% of students are aware of energy drinks, with caffeine (69.5%) and sugar (72.5%) being the most recognized ingredients. The primary reasons for consumption include staying awake (60.5%) and improving study performance (35.7%). However, despite acknowledging the negative health effects, such as increased blood pressure (62.0%) and heart rate (61.5%), many students continue to consume energy drinks regularly.

Conclusions & Recommendations: The study reveals that while nursing students are knowledgeable about the risks associated with energy drinks, their consumption remains high, primarily due to academic stress and the need for alertness. This contradiction between knowledge and behavior suggests a lack of effective awareness campaigns and alternative coping strategies. As future healthcare professionals, nursing students must adopt healthier habits to serve as credible advocates for public health and patient education. Recommendations: Educational interventions - integrate awareness programs into nursing curricula to highlight the risks of energy drink consumption and promote healthier alternatives. Healthier lifestyle promotion.