Coffee power doubted

[Posted: Sat 17/03/2007 - www.irishhealth.com]

That morning cup of coffee might not live up to its reputation as a wonder wake-up tonic.

New research suggests that the caffeine jolt only works on those who have the substance continually in their system, as a 'refresher'.

"Although it is valued as a useful psychostimulant, recent evidence suggests that little benefit is gained from regular caffeine consumption," writes Peter Rogers, professor of biological psychology at the University of Bristol, England.

Prof Rogers, who has been studying coffee consumption for several years, presented his findings to the British Nutrition Foundation's annual conference.

However there do appear to be benefits of caffeine for ageing brains. Prof Rogers' research found caffeine seemed to arrest cognitive decline in some way, although he said more study of this was needed.

He balanced this with the observation that caffeine tended to increase anxiety, and also created a dependency.

He concluded: "Habitual caffeine consumers risk waking up every morning below par. Consumption of some more caffeine reverses or avoids this caffeine'‘hangover', but probably does not result in an acute net benefit for mood or performance."