Coldiretti warns Italian students to curb energy‑drink use before 2026 Maturity exams

Coldiretti issued an appeal on 17 June 2026 to the more than 500,000 Italian students slated to sit the State (Maturità) exams starting 18 June. The farmers’ union cautioned against the growing consumption of energy drinks, ultra‑processed snacks and high‑sugar, high‑caffeine bars, citing a study by the Fondazione Aletheia that links these products to heightened anxiety, insomnia, tachycardia and reduced concentration and memory.

Prof. Esmeralda Capristo, director of the Unit of Medicine of Grand Obesity at the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, added that “merende industriali, snack salati e barrette energetiche… must be limited.” Coldiretti recommends a balanced diet rich in complex carbohydrates (pasta, rice, legumes), lean proteins (chicken, fish), fresh fruit, nuts (almonds, walnuts) and adequate sleep, along with regular physical activity, to support cognitive performance during exam preparation.