Differential cognitive effects of energy drink ingredients: caffeine, taurine, and glucose.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the individual and combined effects of caffeine, taurine, and glucose on cognitive performance and mood in habitual caffeine consumers after 24-hour caffeine abstinence.
Results Summary
Caffeine improved executive control, working memory, and reaction time, while taurine had mixed effects on reaction time. Glucose alone slowed reaction time but enhanced certain cognitive functions when combined with caffeine or taurine. No effects were observed on salivary cortisol or heart rate.
Population
48 habitual caffeine consumers (18 male, 30 female) who were 24-hour caffeine deprived.
Effective Dosage
200 mg caffeine, 2000 mg taurine, and 50 g glucose, administered in various combinations.
Duration
Four separate days with a 3-day wash-out period between treatments.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
caffeine | increase | executive control | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | - | enhanced | #1 |
caffeine | increase | working memory | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | - | enhanced | #2 |
caffeine | decrease | simple reaction time | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | - | reduced | #3 |
caffeine | decrease | choice reaction time | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | - | reduced | #4 |
taurine | increase | choice reaction time | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | - | increased | #5 |
taurine | decrease | reaction time in the working memory tasks | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | - | reduced | #6 |
glucose | increase | choice reaction time | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | - | slowed | #7 |
glucose in combination with caffeine | increase | object working memory | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | - | enhanced | #8 |
glucose in combination with taurine | increase | orienting attention | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | - | enhanced | #9 |
caffeine | decrease | feelings of fatigue | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | - | reduced | #10 |
caffeine | increase | tension | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | - | increased | #11 |
caffeine | increase | vigor | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | - | increased | #12 |
taurine | decrease | vigor | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | - | reversed the effects of caffeine on | #13 |
taurine | decrease | caffeine-withdrawal symptoms | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | - | reversed the effects of caffeine on | #14 |
caffeine | no change | salivary cortisol | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | no significant change | No effects were found for | #15 |
taurine | no change | salivary cortisol | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | no significant change | No effects were found for | #16 |
glucose | no change | salivary cortisol | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | no significant change | No effects were found for | #17 |
caffeine | no change | heart rate | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | no significant change | No effects were found for | #18 |
taurine | no change | heart rate | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | no significant change | No effects were found for | #19 |
glucose | no change | heart rate | 24-hour caffeine deprived habitual caffeine consumers | no significant change | No effects were found for | #20 |
Energy drinks containing caffeine, taurine, and glucose may improve mood and cognitive performance. However, there are no studies assessing the individual and interactive effects of these ingredients. We evaluated the effects of caffeine, taurine, and glucose alone and in combination on cognitive performance and mood in 24-hour caffeine-abstained habitual caffeine consumers. Using a randomized, double-blind, mixed design, 48 habitual caffeine consumers (18 male, 30 female) who were 24-hour caffeine deprived received one of four treatments (200 mg caffeine/0 mg taurine, 0 mg caffeine/2000 mg taurine, 200 mg caffeine/2000 mg taurine, 0 mg caffeine/0 mg taurine), on each of four separate days, separated by a 3-day wash-out period. Between-participants treatment was a glucose drink (50 g glucose, placebo). Salivary cortisol, mood and heart rate were measured. An attention task was administered 30-minutes post-treatment, followed by a working memory and reaction time task 60-minutes post-treatment. Caffeine enhanced executive control and working memory, and reduced simple and choice reaction time. Taurine increased choice reaction time but reduced reaction time in the working memory tasks. Glucose alone slowed choice reaction time. Glucose in combination with caffeine, enhanced object working memory and in combination with taurine, enhanced orienting attention. Limited glucose effects may reflect low task difficulty relative to subjects' cognitive ability. Caffeine reduced feelings of fatigue and increased tension and vigor. Taurine reversed the effects of caffeine on vigor and caffeine-withdrawal symptoms. No effects were found for salivary cortisol or heart rate. Caffeine, not taurine or glucose, is likely responsible for reported changes in cognitive performance following consumption of energy drinks, especially in caffeine-withdrawn habitual caffeine consumers.