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Differential cognitive effects of energy drink ingredients: caffeine, taurine, and glucose.

Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior
October 1, 2012
Grace E Giles et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

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.

Extracted Claims (20)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
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
Abstract

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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
BeveragesCaffeineCognitionDouble-Blind MethodFemaleGlucoseHumansMalePlacebosTaurine
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety80
Efficacy85/10
Quality90/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations85
Citations/Year6.5
Relative Citation Ratio3.99
NIH Percentile90.1%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.70
Normalized Score0.84
Related Supplements
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