For many people, the day doesn’t truly begin until they’ve had their morning cup of coffee. They believe that this beverage helps them wake up faster and provides the energy boost needed for the day ahead. Portuguese researchers decided to investigate how coffee and caffeine contribute to enhanced efficiency, alertness, and psychomotor functions.
Is it all about caffeine, or is there more to it?
A group of individuals who consumed at least one cup of coffee daily was invited to participate in the experiment. The researchers collected socio-demographic data from the participants and then conducted two brief functional MRI scans. The first scan was done before, and the second one was performed 30 minutes after consuming a standard cup of coffee or a cup of hot water with caffeine in the same volume.
The researchers’ hypothesis was based on the well-known neurochemical effects of the drink and its components. They anticipated that the MRI scans of coffee drinkers would reveal enhanced integration in certain areas of the brain. One of these areas is associated with executive memory, while another, which the scientists focused on, is involved in self-reflection and self-analysis.
This effect did not occur when participants consumed only caffeine. This means that the caffeine in coffee alone does not make people feel alert and ready to work.
The Possible Placebo Effect of Coffee
As noted by the lead author of the study, Maria Pico-Perez, to achieve the feeling of alertness, one must consume a cup of aromatic and flavorful coffee. It is the coffee itself that makes consumers more ready to act and more attentive to external stimuli.
During the study, the scientists observed some effects caused by caffeine. However, they also noted other effects related to the unique aroma and taste of coffee. A significant influence on participants’ subsequent well-being was the psychological expectation associated with consuming the aromatic beverage. This suggests that the alertness effect from coffee may also be linked to a placebo effect.
As reported by the Daily Mail, scientists cannot yet confirm this with certainty. It is quite possible that drinking decaffeinated coffee could produce these benefits.
The experiment conducted does not provide a complete picture of the effects of consuming the beverage separately from the combination with the bitter substance found in most energy drinks. Additionally, there may be individual differences in caffeine metabolism among participants that would be interesting to explore in future research.