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.

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

New, naturally low-caffeine option for tea drinkers

Tea drinkers who seek the popular beverage's soothing flavor without its explosive caffeine jolt could soon have a new, naturally low-caffeine option.

8 Nov 2018

Consuming just a single energy drink may disrupt vascular function

Drinking just one energy drink may have a detrimental effect on blood vessel function, according to a study to be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2018 in Chicago.

6 Nov 2018

Energy drinks narrow blood vessels within 90 minutes of intake

Researchers have found that within one and half hour of taking an energy drink the internal diameter of the blood vessels is reduced by half on an average. As the blood vessels narrow, the vital blood supply to the organs also reduces and this can lead to several problems – heart attacks and strokes being just two of them.

5 Nov 2018

Young adults educated on dietary supplements in college are more likely to use them appropriately

Young adults who are educated about dietary supplements in college are more likely to use them appropriately, according to new research from Binghamton University, State University at New York.

5 Nov 2018

Home blood pressure measurements can be used to diagnose hypertension in U.S. adults

Blood pressure readings of 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher taken at home can be used to diagnose hypertension in white, black and Hispanic U.S. adults, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension.

29 Oct 2018