The relationship between caffeine and sugar or artificial sweeteners in coffee has been of interest to researchers, with a recent study revealing surprising effects on the body clocks of mice. The study, published in the journal npj Science of Food, found that adding sweeteners to caffeine disrupted the activity rhythms of mice more significantly than caffeine alone, leading to some mice experiencing a reversal of day and night cycles.
While the effects of caffeine on the body clock are well-known, the addition of sugar or sweeteners appears to amplify these effects. The research team, led by Yu Tahara from Hiroshima University, initially set out to study the behavior of mice drinking sweetened caffeine water and discovered unexpected changes in their activity rhythms.
The mice were given sweetened caffeine water containing a moderate amount of caffeine and either sucrose or saccharine. Interestingly, the added sweetness did not increase the amount of caffeine consumed by the mice, indicating that the effects were due to the combination of caffeine and sweetener.
The mice that consumed the caffeine-sweetener mix exhibited prolonged sleep-wake periods and some even shifted their circadian rhythms from night to day. These effects persisted even in constant darkness, suggesting that the caffeine-sweetener combination was acting independently of the central body clock regulator in the brain.
The researchers hypothesize that the dual activation of the brain’s reward system by both caffeine and sweeteners, leading to the release of dopamine, may be responsible for the altered activity rhythms. Further studies are planned to investigate the potential role of dopamine in these effects and to determine if similar outcomes are observed in humans.
This research has important implications for understanding how sweetened caffeine intake may impact human health. While caffeine consumption is already associated with decreased sleep quality and night-owl tendencies, adding sweeteners to caffeine could further exacerbate these negative effects. Health authorities recommend limiting caffeine intake, especially in the evening, and this study suggests that the addition of sweeteners should also be considered.
On the flip side, the researchers are also interested in exploring the effects of caffeine and sweetener intake in the morning. They speculate that adding something sweet to your morning coffee could enhance its perky effects, offering a potential new way to kickstart your day.
In conclusion, the study sheds light on the complex interactions between caffeine, sugar, and the body clock, highlighting the need for further research to fully understand the consequences of sweetened caffeine consumption on human health. The findings may prompt individuals to reconsider their coffee habits and make informed choices about their caffeine intake.
