Caffeine News and Research

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Caffeine is a bitter substance found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate, some nuts and certain medicines. It has many effects on the body's metabolism, including stimulating the central nervous system. This can make you more alert and give you a boost of energy.

Coffee addicts are more sensitive to the smell of coffee

Regular coffee drinkers can sniff out even tiny amounts of coffee and are faster at recognizing the aroma, compared to non-coffee drinkers, new research has found.

14 May 2019

Coffee and longevity – debate continues

There have been studies saying coffee drinking increases longevity and general health and also studies to the contrary.

13 May 2019

Coffee, sugary drinks, or alcohol? It's in your genes.

Researchers have discovered that choosing to consume alcohol, coffee, and sugar-sweetened drinks may be due to hertitable genetic variants.

6 May 2019

Study examines if caffeine could prevent harmful effects of PGE1 treatment on breathing

Researchers from the Department of Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital presented results of a study that investigated whether there are any deleterious effects of prostaglandin E1 treatment on breathing and whether these effects would be prevented via pre-treatment with caffeine.

30 Apr 2019

Study: Energy drink consumption has increased substantially in the United States

According to a new study appearing in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published by Elsevier, energy drink consumption in the United States has increased substantially over the past decade among adolescents, young adults, and middle-aged adults.

29 Apr 2019

Reduced ADK expression can make liver more susceptible to carcinogenic damage

A new study has shown that reduced adenosine kinase expression in the liver can make it more susceptible to carcinogenic damage and the development of liver cancer.

11 Apr 2019

Scientists identify receptor responsible for bitter taste of Epsom salt

A team of scientists headed by Maik Behrens from the Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich has identified the receptor responsible for the bitter taste of various salts. These include medically used Epsom salt.

8 Apr 2019

Study: Pathogenetic downregulation of adenosine linked to restless leg syndrome

Researchers have identified a common mechanism implicating adenosine in the cause of restless leg syndrome symptoms — the periodic limb movements characteristic of RLS and the state of enhanced arousal that both disrupt sleep.

4 Apr 2019

Exposure to subtle cues of coffee can arouse our minds, study reveals

Just looking at something that reminds us of coffee can cause our minds to become more alert and attentive, according to a new U of T study.

29 Mar 2019

Daylight saving affects body clock, increases risk of heart attack and stroke

Experts have been studying the effects of daylight saving has on circadian rhythm, also known as the body's internal clock.

12 Mar 2019

The app that warns you about snacks you can’t add to your shopping cart

Researchers have developed an app that scans the barcodes of food items in the supermarket and warns you if it is not suitable for your body, based on your DNA.

12 Mar 2019

The American Heart Association issues new reference toolkit for healthcare providers

With nearly half of American adults having elevated blood pressure, it’s important for everyone to understand that some common habits may affect blood pressure, making the condition more difficult to control.

21 Feb 2019

Therapeutic implications of caffeine in neuropsychiatric disorders

An important new article reviews recently discovered properties of adenosine A2A receptor-dopamine D2 receptor and adenosine A1 receptor-dopamine D1 receptor heteromers--both of which are main targets for caffeine--and discusses the therapeutic implications of these findings.

7 Jan 2019

Caffeine therapy benefits developing brains of premature babies

For many, starting the day off with caffeine from a cup of coffee is a must. In neonatal intensive care units, or NICUs, premature babies born under 29 weeks are given a daily dose of caffeine to ensure the best possible start to life.

12 Dec 2018

Caffeine plus another compound in coffee may fight Parkinson’s disease

Rutgers scientists have found a compound in coffee that may team up with caffeine to fight Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia - two progressive and currently incurable diseases associated with brain degeneration.

10 Dec 2018

Experts address sleep disorders following traumatic brain injury

Disorders of sleep are some of the most common problems experienced by patients after traumatic brain injury. It is important to recognize and treat these problems early to allow for optimal cognitive recovery, but because they are so common, the importance of treating them is often underestimated.

10 Dec 2018

Better sleep helps students to improve final exam performance

Students given extra points if they met "The 8-hour Challenge" -- averaging eight hours of sleep for five nights during final exams week -- did better than those who snubbed (or flubbed) the incentive, according to Baylor University research.

3 Dec 2018

UBC review highlights importance of sleep hygiene practices for children

Sleep hygiene, which includes practices like providing a cool and quiet sleeping environment or reading before bed time to help kids unwind, is increasingly popular among parents looking to ensure their children get a good night's rest.

3 Dec 2018

A love of coffee and tea is mostly genetic

The morning coffee or tea can perk one up for the day, however, for some of us these beverages are too bitter. Researchers have now found that the bitter taste experienced is all down to genes. The new study titled, “Understanding the role of bitter taste perception in coffee, tea and alcohol consumption through Mendelian randomization,” was published in the latest issue of the journal Nature Scientific Reports.

25 Nov 2018

Sugary drinks may be addictive and are harmful to health, study suggests

Just as we might have guessed, those tasty, sugar-sweetened beverages that increase risk of diabetes and other chronic diseases may actually be addictive.

21 Nov 2018