The Sunday Times has a story that the National University of Ireland, Galway has released a study showing that the effects of coffee are over-stated. In fact, the study shows that coffee has no stimulating effect on the brain and that it does not counter-act sleepiness. They say that people are confused about coffee because the positive effects they feel have to do with countering caffeine withdrawal and not any inherent coffee benefits.
If that’s a total buzz-killer for you, cheer up – there are still many reasons to drink coffee. Studies at Vanderbilt and Harvard have found that coffee reduces the risk of diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.
One would certainly hope that they don’t publish the Galway study in France, because seems that cafes in France are seriously under threat, with two closing every day. The smoking ban and other factors are cited. Can you imagine Paris without cafes? Perish the thought…
Technorati tags: National University Ireland, Galway, study, coffee
I guess a study can be made to say whatever the client wants….. I know if I drink coffee after 2 or 3 in the afternoon, I have a hard time sleeping so am I living proof that it counteracts sleepiness? I’d say it’s just each individual’s make up that determines how caffeine affects them. Maybe someone can pay you to do a study?!
I really enjoyed your post. I will have to come back again to read some more of them.