A recent study has found that drinking coffee notably improves mood and enthusiasm, especially in the morning. The findings highlight the universal positive impact of caffeine consumption.
Regular caffeine consumption has long been associated with increased alertness, but a new study has found that your morning cup of coffee might be doing more good than just waking you up. Research conducted by Bielefeld University in Germany and the University of Warwick in the UK, and published in the journal Scientific Reports, shows that consuming caffeine significantly enhances mood and enthusiasm, particularly in the morning.
The study observed 236 young adults in Germany over a period of up to four weeks.
Participants used their smartphones to complete short questionnaires seven times a day, recording their current mood and indicating whether they had consumed a caffeinated drink in the preceding 90 minutes.
Crucially, the study analyzed caffeine consumption in real-life scenarios rather than controlled laboratory settings.
“We were somewhat surprised to find no differences between individuals with varying levels of caffeine consumption or differing degrees of depressive symptoms, anxiety, or sleep problems,” first author Justin Hachenberger, a research associate at Bielefeld University, said in a news release. “The links between caffeine intake and positive or negative emotions were fairly consistent across all groups.”
Contrary to the researchers’ expectations, even individuals with higher levels of anxiety did not experience a significant increase in negative mood changes after consuming caffeine.
It appears that the mood-boosting benefits of caffeine are widespread, irrespective of a person’s usual caffeine intake or mental health status.
Mechanism Behind the Mood Boost
The researchers attribute caffeine’s ability to improve morning mood to its action of blocking adenosine receptors, which leads to wakefulness and higher energy level.
“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 greater alertness,” added co-author Anu Realo, a professor at the University of Warwick.
The researchers also considered the role of caffeine withdrawal symptoms.
“Even people with moderate caffeine consumption can experience mild withdrawal symptoms that disappear with the first cup of coffee or tea in the morning,” Realo added, suggesting that alleviating these symptoms could be another reason why caffeine elevates morning moods.
The Universal Appeal of Coffee
Caffeine is a widely consumed stimulant, with around 80% of adults worldwide enjoying caffeinated beverages, according to senior author Sakari Lemola, a professor at Bielefeld University.
“Even wild animals consume caffeine; bees and bumblebees prefer nectar from plants that contain caffeine,” Lemola added.
However, the authors caution that excessive caffeine intake can lead to dependency and various health risks, including sleep disturbances if consumed later in the day.
Source: Bielefeld University