According to Dr. Antonio Teixeira, a psychiatry professor and the director of the neuropsychiatry program at the UTHealth Houston Academic Health Center, the researchers behind the study found that the effects of drinking coffee cannot solely be attributed to caffeine. The study noted other factors such as the experience of drinking coffee itself, the placebo effect of expecting an energy boost, and the facilitation of withdrawal. This suggests that there is a difference between simply consuming caffeine and drinking coffee.
What's the difference between consuming caffeine and drinking coffee?
The researchers for this study enlisted 47 individuals who consume at least one cup of coffee daily and have an average age of 30. Before the study, all participants were instructed to avoid any food or drink containing caffeine for three hours.
The volunteers were then subjected to two fMRI scans: one before consuming caffeine or coffee, and another after 30 minutes. During the scans, the participants were asked to relax and let their minds wander.
The researchers concluded that the consumption of caffeine and coffee both lead to a reduction in the brain's functional connectivity in the default network. This indicates a higher readiness to transition from a resting state to a working state.
Additionally, drinking coffee - not just consuming caffeine - was found to reduce the connectivity between the tactile and motor systems of the brain. This could explain why individuals reported improvements in psychomotor abilities after drinking coffee. Moreover, it was discovered that drinking coffee, not just consuming caffeine, leads to an increase in executive functions and visual processing, resulting in improved cognitive functions such as working memory, cognitive control, and goal-driven behavior.
Drinking coffee is a sensory experience
The researchers have suggested that the reason for the different impacts of caffeine consumption and coffee drinking could be related to the sensory experience that comes with drinking coffee.
Armergo Couture, a nutritionist from New York's Staten Island University Hospital, who was not part of the research team, has pointed out that the placebo effect could also explain some of the positive effects of drinking coffee. She explains that culturally, drinking coffee in the morning is a social norm, and many people associate it with getting ready for the day and feeling alert. As such, having a cup of coffee in the morning has become a routine that people use to improve their performance, and it's a collective experience that's become a social norm. This is evident in the popular phrase: "Don't talk to me before I've had my morning coffee."
The researcher Couture agrees with the claims made by the researchers and believes that coffee contains compounds such as terpene and polyphenol which stimulate energy, mood, and motivation in the brain.
Limitations of this study
As for every study or research, we must look at its limitations to understand how valid it is. Dr. Teixeira has pointed out some important limitations in the current study. The study did not include people who only drink decaffeinated coffee, and there is a lack of data from fMRI tests during cognitive assessments. Dr. Teixeira clarifies that the study only tested natural connectivity in the brain and not cognitive function. Additionally, it is not clear how the subjects themselves react to drinking coffee or other caffeinated drinks.
According to Dr. Gregory S. Carter, a neurology professor at the University of Texas Medical Center who was not involved in the study, the main limitation of the study is that the results were checked only after 30 minutes, which is too early considering that caffeine takes around 50-60 minutes to reach maximum concentration in the blood and cross the blood-brain barrier.
So what have we learned?
According to Couture, drinking coffee can enhance the administrative functions of individuals, thus benefiting those who want to improve their working memory and cognition. For people who encounter difficulties with executive functions, drinking coffee can boost motivation. Dr. Magrath highlights that the advantages of drinking coffee are not solely due to caffeine. Even consuming decaf in the morning can help individuals stay attentive and focused during the initial hours of the day.
It is possible that you can decrease your caffeine intake by switching to decaf coffee. According to experts, even tea or juice can have a similar effect if you convince yourself that it will wake you up. The placebo effect is a strong factor in waking up in the morning, and there are other compounds in natural energy drinks that can provide similar results. While coffee does contain compounds that aid in waking up and providing energy, making your own natural energy drinks can be just as effective.
