Early life energy drink exposure impairs social and cognitive behaviour in female rats before and after pregnancy

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of early life energy drink consumption on social interaction, locomotor activity, and learning in female rats prep-regnancy and postpartum period. Twenty-seven 21-day-old Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups (n=9): control (CG, tap water), EG1 (10 % Energy Drink-ED), and EG2 (20 % Energy Drink-ED). The 63-day experiment comprised two phases. Data were analysed via one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. No significant difference in feed consumption was found, but fluid intake was higher in ED groups. EG2 showed the greatest weight gain. Locomotor activity was higher pre-pregnancy than postpartum. In social tests, EG1 and EG2 preferred familiar individuals pre-pregnancy, whereas CG preferred unfamiliar ones. Postpartum, all groups showed increased unfamiliar preference. In the Barnes Maze, CG reached the target hole fastest and with fewest errors; EG2 performed worst (p < 0.05). These results indicate that chronic, dose-dependent energy drink consumption increases fluid intake and body weight, causes stress-like behaviours, and negatively affects learning and memory. Furthermore, these findings will contribute to the implementation of preventive public health measures, thereby helping to prevent obesity, diabetes and mental health disorders associated with excessive energy drink consumption. Communicating these results to manufacturers and consumers may support evidence-based regulatory measures, particularly for adolescents and women of reproductive age.