Coffee antioxidants have benefits, says Nestlé research

  • August 4, 2011
  • AMD

Scientists at the Nestlé Research Center in Lausanne, Switzerland, have found that the antioxidant properties of decaffeinated coffee may benefit drinkers’ mood and cognitive state, even though the beverage contains no caffeine.

The scientists conducted a pilot study on healthy elderly people to compare the cognitive and mood effects of soluble decaffeinated coffee with those of soluble caffeinated coffee and a coffee placebo. The decaffeinated beverages contained variable amounts of chlorogenic acids (CGA), a compound with purported antioxidant properties.

As expected, subjects who received caffeinated coffee reported enhanced mood and attention over those who received decaffeinated coffee or the placebo.

Interestingly though, subjects who received decaffeinated coffee with a high CGA content reported increased alertness, reduced feelings of mental fatigue and reported fewer headaches, relative to those who received other beverages.

“This pilot study yields notable results that we will continue to build on,” said Dr. Beata Silber, a Nestlé Research scientist.

“The implications of these results could have significant consequences not only for coffee but also for other food products. Nestlé is conducting further research into the potential effects of coffee compounds on cognition and mood.”

The results of the pilot study are published online in the July issue of the journal Psychopharmacology.


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