By Sarah Burns on June 6, 2010 in
Say you can't start your day without a cup of coffee? A new study finds that the morning buzz it gives you may be all in your head. That's right, java junkies, scientists now say regular coffee drinkers get no pick-me-up from their morning mug. Instead, the boost we experience post-sip is likely an illusion our brains create to more easily carry on the day.
The study, conducted at Britain's Bristol University, evaluated 379 people (half were low/no caffeine consumers while the others were medium/high drinkers). All were asked to abstain from caffeine for 16 hours. Afterward, one group was given caffeine to consume while the others were offered a placebo. All subjects were then asked to rate their level of alertness and carry out a series of computer tasks. The result: Scientists found little difference in either group's level of alertness -- a finding that has now prompted them to become seriously skeptical of the so-called "coffee buzz."
"Although consumers feel alerted by caffeine, especially by their morning tea or coffee, evidence suggests that this is actually merely the reversal of the fatiguing effects of caffeine withdrawal," write the scientists, led by Peter Rogers of Bristol's department of experimental psychology.
The lesson: Contrary to what you may currently believe, you really can carry on competently without that morning cup of coffee. For more nice java advice, check out our reports on the best coffee makers and grinders.