Gaby
For many people, the day doesn’t truly begin until they’ve had their morning cup of coffee. They believe this beverage helps them wake up faster and gives the energy boost needed for the day ahead. Portuguese researchers decided to investigate how coffee and caffeine contribute to improved efficiency, alertness, and psychomotor function.
Is it all about caffeine, or is there more to it?
A group of people who drank at least one cup of coffee daily were invited to participate in the experiment. The researchers collected socio-demographic data and then conducted two brief functional MRI scans. The first scan was done before, and the second was performed 30 minutes after the participants consumed either a standard cup of coffee or a cup of hot water with the same amount of caffeine.
The researchers’ hypothesis was based on the well-known neurochemical effects of coffee and its components. They anticipated that the MRI scans would reveal increased connectivity in certain brain areas. One of these areas is linked to executive function and working memory, while another is involved in self-reflection and introspection.
Indeed, the results showed that drinking coffee made people more prepared to transition from relaxation to work. But what sets coffee apart is its ability to enhance connectivity in brain regions responsible for working memory, cognitive control, and goal-directed behavior. In other words, those who consumed coffee were more ready to take action and more attentive to external stimuli.
This effect did not occur when participants consumed only caffeine. That means the caffeine in isolation did not produce the same alerting, work-ready state as a cup of coffee.
The possible placebo effect of coffee
Lead author Maria Pico-Perez said that to achieve the feeling of alertness, people need a cup of aromatic, flavorful coffee. She argues that it’s the coffee itself — aroma and taste included — that makes consumers more ready to act and more attentive to external stimuli.
The scientists did observe some effects caused by caffeine. However, they also noted effects related to coffee’s unique aroma and taste. Participants’ expectations about drinking the fragrant beverage significantly influenced how they felt afterward, suggesting the alertness effect from coffee may partly be a placebo effect.
As reported by the Daily Mail, researchers can’t confirm this with certainty yet. It’s quite possible that drinking decaffeinated coffee could produce similar benefits.
The experiment doesn’t provide a complete picture of the effects of drinking coffee versus consuming caffeine in other forms, such as in energy drinks. There may also be individual differences in caffeine metabolism among participants that future research could explore.
