Study shows: positive mood after morning coffee
Researchers from Bielefeld and Warwick collect data over four weeks
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People who regularly consume caffeine are usually in a better mood after a cup of coffee - especially in the morning. This is the result of a new study by researchers from Bielefeld University and the University of Warwick in the UK, which was published in the journal Scientific Reports. According to the respondents, they generally feel significantly happier and more enthusiastic after drinking coffee in the morning than without coffee at the same time on other days.
According to the survey, coffee also counteracts negative moods such as sadness and anger - but this correlation is less strong. After consuming coffee, respondents also reported slightly less sadness or anger than on comparable days when they had not drunk coffee. In contrast to the positive emotions, however, this did not depend on the time of day.
A total of 236 young adults were examined over a period of up to four weeks. The study participants answered a short questionnaire on their cell phone seven times a day, indicating their current mood and whether they had drunk a caffeinated beverage in the previous 90 minutes.
Perceived effect independent of consumption habits
The researchers also investigated the question of whether coffee affects individuals differently. "We were surprised that we could not find any differences between people with different consumption habits, different levels of depression, anxiety or sleep problems," says the lead author of the study, Justin Hachenberger from the Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science at Bielefeld University. "The relationship between caffeine consumption and positive and negative emotions was relatively similar in all these groups."
For example, the researchers expected that people with higher anxiety would experience negative mood changes such as increased nervousness after caffeine consumption. "However, it is possible that people who know that they do not respond well to caffeine simply do not drink caffeine. Such people were not represented in the study, as only the data of caffeine consumers were analyzed," says Justin Hachenberger.
Role of caffeine withdrawal symptoms remains unclear
The researchers explain the mood-enhancing effect demonstrated in the study as follows: Caffeine blocks the adenosine receptors in the brain, making you feel more alert and energized. Co-author Professor Anu Realo PhD from the University of Warwick explains: "Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors, which can increase dopamine activity in key brain regions - an effect that studies have linked to improved mood and increased alertness."
However, it remains an open question whether these effects are linked to a reduction in withdrawal symptoms after a night out. "Even people with only moderate caffeine consumption may experience mild withdrawal symptoms that disappear with the first coffee or tea in the morning," says Anu Realo.
Caffeine consumption: a universal habit
"Around 80 percent of adults worldwide consume caffeinated beverages and the consumption of tea and coffee goes back a long way in history," says Professor Dr. Sakari Lemola from Bielefeld University, the last author of the study. "There is even evidence of caffeine consumption in wild animals, with bee and bumblebee species preferring nectar from plants with caffeine content."
The research team points out that caffeine consumption can lead to addiction. Excessive caffeine consumption is associated with various health risks, and caffeine consumption later in the day is associated with sleep problems.
Note: This article has been translated using a computer system without human intervention. LUMITOS offers these automatic translations to present a wider range of current news. Since this article has been translated with automatic translation, it is possible that it contains errors in vocabulary, syntax or grammar. The original article in German can be found here.
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