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Coffee no boost in the morning
That morning latte or expresso may not be the pick-me-up people think it is, a study has revealed.
University of Bristol researchers say the caffeine eases withdrawal symptoms which build up overnight, but does not make people more alert than normal.
The work, presented to the British Nutrition Foundation conference only people who have avoided coffee for a while will get a buzz from caffeine.
But the British Coffee Association said regular drinkers did feel more alert.
All that first cup of coffee does is get you back to normal levels of alertness
Professor Peter Rogers, Bristol University
Those who swear by their morning caffeine fix say it wakes them up, and if they missed out they would feel sluggish and unable to get on with their day.
But the Bristol researchers, who carried out a review of previous studies into the effects of caffeine, say all the drink does is counteract the mild caffeine withdrawal symptoms people are experiencing because they have gone without the stimulant overnight.
And they found that those who drank a caffeinated drink first thing were no more alert than those who never consumed one.
Back to normal
Professor Peter Rogers, a biological psychology who led the research, said: "People who drink tea or coffee feel that it makes them alert.
"Thats why many of us use it - because it gets us going.
"But research suggests that with regular consumption of coffee, you become dependent on it.
"Caffeine is eliminated from your body overnight and first thing in the morning you are in the early stages of withdrawal.
"All that first cup of coffee does is get you back to normal levels of alertness."
Professor Rogers warned that people with high blood pressure should steer clear of caffeinated drinks, but that there were other things that could be done to improve health more - such as giving up smoking.
He said caffeine did have some benefits, such as preventing cognitive decline in the elderly.
Zoe Wheeldon, of the British Coffee Association, said the research was interesting.
But she added: "There are two sides to the debate and a wealth of scientific evidence suggests that moderate coffee consumption of four to five cups per day is perfectly safe for the general population and does have a beneficial effect on alertness and performance even in regular coffee drinkers."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6422279.stm
That morning latte or expresso may not be the pick-me-up people think it is, a study has revealed.
University of Bristol researchers say the caffeine eases withdrawal symptoms which build up overnight, but does not make people more alert than normal.
The work, presented to the British Nutrition Foundation conference only people who have avoided coffee for a while will get a buzz from caffeine.
But the British Coffee Association said regular drinkers did feel more alert.
All that first cup of coffee does is get you back to normal levels of alertness
Professor Peter Rogers, Bristol University
Those who swear by their morning caffeine fix say it wakes them up, and if they missed out they would feel sluggish and unable to get on with their day.
But the Bristol researchers, who carried out a review of previous studies into the effects of caffeine, say all the drink does is counteract the mild caffeine withdrawal symptoms people are experiencing because they have gone without the stimulant overnight.
And they found that those who drank a caffeinated drink first thing were no more alert than those who never consumed one.
Back to normal
Professor Peter Rogers, a biological psychology who led the research, said: "People who drink tea or coffee feel that it makes them alert.
"Thats why many of us use it - because it gets us going.
"But research suggests that with regular consumption of coffee, you become dependent on it.
"Caffeine is eliminated from your body overnight and first thing in the morning you are in the early stages of withdrawal.
"All that first cup of coffee does is get you back to normal levels of alertness."
Professor Rogers warned that people with high blood pressure should steer clear of caffeinated drinks, but that there were other things that could be done to improve health more - such as giving up smoking.
He said caffeine did have some benefits, such as preventing cognitive decline in the elderly.
Zoe Wheeldon, of the British Coffee Association, said the research was interesting.
But she added: "There are two sides to the debate and a wealth of scientific evidence suggests that moderate coffee consumption of four to five cups per day is perfectly safe for the general population and does have a beneficial effect on alertness and performance even in regular coffee drinkers."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6422279.stm
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