Good news for coffee lovers: a recent study has shown that regular coffee drinkers are in a better mood after drinking their morning cup compared to how they feel beforehand.
اضافة اعلان
In a study conducted by researchers from Bielefeld University in Germany and Warwick University in the UK, and published in the journal Scientific Reports, participants reported feeling significantly happier and more enthusiastic in the morning on days they consumed coffee, compared to days when they did not consume coffee or other caffeinated beverages during the same time period.
According to the study, caffeine helps improve negative mood states such as sadness or anger, although this effect is less pronounced and not tied to a specific time of day.
Over the course of four weeks, researchers surveyed 236 young adults who regularly consumed caffeine. Participants answered a short questionnaire on their mobile phones seven times a day, reporting on their mood and whether they had consumed a caffeinated beverage within the previous 90 minutes.
A Mood Enhancer
Researchers explain caffeine’s mood-enhancing effect as follows: caffeine blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, which makes us feel more alert and energized. These receptors act like small antennas, and they typically bind with adenosine—a compound that induces drowsiness.
Professor Anu Realo, PhD from the University of Warwick and co-author of the study, stated:
“Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors, which may increase dopamine activity in key areas of the brain—a mechanism that has been linked in previous studies to improved mood and heightened alertness.” Dopamine is often referred to as the “happiness hormone.”
The researchers also highlighted an unresolved question: whether the positive effects of morning coffee are linked to the alleviation of withdrawal symptoms that build up overnight. Realo added:
“Even individuals who consume caffeine moderately may experience mild withdrawal symptoms that are alleviated with their first cup of coffee or tea in the morning.”
The study authors hypothesized that individuals with high levels of anxiety might experience negative mood changes after consuming caffeine, such as increased stress.
Justin Hachenberger, the lead author from the Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science at Bielefeld University, said:
“It is likely that people who know they don’t respond well to caffeine simply avoid drinking it.” He clarified that such individuals were not represented in this study, as it only assessed data from regular caffeine consumers.
Sakari Lemola, co-author from Bielefeld University, noted:
“Approximately 80% of adults around the world consume caffeine-containing beverages, and the history of tea and coffee consumption dates back centuries.”
He added that caffeine consumption has even been observed in wild animals. For example, some species of bees and wasps prefer nectar from plants that contain caffeine.
The research team also pointed out that caffeine consumption can potentially lead to dependence.
