Caffeine is the antagonist of adenosine receptors, which facilitate sleep and relaxation. The suppression of these receptors activates us, but diminishes our ability to taste the sweet which, ironically, can contribute to that we have more desire to take it.
According to Robin Dando, an assistant professor of food science and lead author of the research, “When you drink coffee, you change your taste. Soon after you have consumed caffeine, you are likely to perceive the taste of food differently “.
The article, which has been published in the Journal of Food Science, explains that “caffeine can reduce the effect of the sweet taste perceived by humans, which supports the evidence that adenosine receptors modify taste.”
In the study, one group took samples of decaffeinated coffee and the other team as well, only with 200 milligrams of caffeine they added in the lab to make it into a potent cup of coffee (the stimulant was added in order to avoid the difference Between both study groups could be due to the type of coffee used and to simulate the habitual intake of this beverage). Their drinks were just the same in one respect: both had added sugar. Neither group knew exactly what it was going to take.
In a second phase, participants discussed how clear they were and made an estimate of how much caffeine their coffee had. Both groups reported having noticed an increase in energy after drinking coffee and did not know which of the two had consumed.
Dando explains that “what seems important is the action of consuming that coffee. Just thinking that you have done something that will make you feel more awake makes you feel more awake.”
By the way, a group of researchers recently discovered that the coffee and chocolate mixture is good for the brain. So if you are looking forward to something sweet after the coffee, do not hesitate to add some chocolate in the next it’s the perfect mix!
