Can a cup of black coffee enhance cognitive function and short-term memory?
Journal Title: Al Ameen Journal of Medical Sciences - Year 2019, Vol 12, Issue 2
Abstract
Background: The stimulatory effects of coffee on the central nervous system (CNS) have been well studied. There exists, however, no conclusive data on the effects of the consumption of coffee on short-term memory. Objectives: This study’s objective was to determine the effects of coffee on short-term memory and on certain recent tests of cognitive function such as digit symbol substitution test (DSST) and letter cancellation. Methods: The study involved a single group of fifty male subjects aged between 18 and 25. The subjects underwent a set of baseline tests that included estimation of visual and auditory reaction time, tests of cognitive function such as letter cancellation and digit symbol substitution test (DSST), and tests of short-term memory such as immediate word and immediate object recall. They were then given a cup of black coffee and fifteen minutes later the same set of tests were performed. Results: It was observed that there was a significant shortening of the visual (p<0.001) and auditory reaction time (p<0.001), and the time taken for letter cancellation (p<0.001) and DSST (p<0.001) after coffee. There was an increase in the number of objects recalled that approached statistical significance (p=0.082), but no obvious effect on the number of words recalled. Conclusion: The above observations seem to indicate that coffee improves cognitive and psychomotor function, may improve the ability to recall visual information but plays no role in the recall of auditory information.
Authors and Affiliations
Dinesh Vedanathan Syce
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP501755
- DOI -
- Views 63
- Downloads 0
Unguarded and unfavorable atmosphere for the immigrant women workers
It is a fact that owing to the increased life expectancy and a simultaneous increase in the incidence of lifestyle diseases in developed & middle income nations, the number of females employed as a labor force for discha...
Assessment of awareness and knowledge of nutrition parameters among health professionals caring for Spinal Cord Injury in tertiary care hospitals – an Indian study
Introduction: Malnutrition has been reported to be amongst the leading causes of increased morbidity in patients with Spinal Cord Injury. Objective: A multi center survey was done with the objectives of finding awareness...
Prevalence of lifestyle related cardiovascular risk factors among school-going female adolescents of an industrial town of West Bengal
Background: In India the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and related lifestyle behaviors are pervasive. Adolescent population at the transition of childhood and adulthood start to pick lifestyle related risk fact...
Obesity and fracture healing
Background: Obesity is an independent risk factor in trauma related morbidity. This study described the prevalence of obesity/overweight in children and adolescents reporting a recent fracture in relation to fracture hea...
Perception of the healthcare providers on the cost of commonly used consumable items in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units at Delhi / NCR, India
Background: Consumable items used in NICU contribute to a significant proportion of the total cost of care. Objectives: To learn about the cost perceptions of NICU healthcare providers for some commonly used consumable i...