Caffeine Content and Perceived Sensory Characteristics of Pod Coffee: Effects on Mood and Cognitive Performance

Abstract

Encapsulated (Pod) coffee is increasingly popular and available in a range of flavor and intensity profiles. This study examined consumption of different coffee Pods on mood and cognitive performance. Thirty-eight participants (n=6 males, 32 females; age: 23.9±5.4 years; weight: 64.3±11.9 kg; BMI: 22.4±2.7 kg•m-2; mean±SD) completed 3 trials, consuming either Cosi, Dharkan, or Kazaar Pods following overnight caffeine abstention. Mood and cognitive performance (choice reaction-time (CRT), visual scanning (VS), Stroop) were measured before and 30 min post coffee consumption. Sensory characteristics were measured during coffee consumption. Accuracy, Reaction Time (RT) central tendency and whole RT distributions were analyzed. Bitterness, flavour-intensity, aroma and perceived caffeine content ratings increased for Cosi, Dharkan and Kazaar Pods respectively. Reduced ratings of sleepiness and headache; and increased ratings of concentration, alertness, excitement and happiness were observed with all Pods. Coffee improved CRT latency (before: 469±55 vs. after: 459±50 ms; p=0.031), but not visual scanning performance. Stroop RTs were faster after coffee (before: 854±193 vs. after: 766±156 ms; p < 0.001); with control, congruent and incongruent trials facilitated by different aspects of the RT distribution. Consumption of Nespresso® Pod coffee improves mood and cognitive performance irrespective of caffeine content, habitual caffeine use and Pod sensory characteristics. However, the effects on cognitive function appear to be task dependent.

A cross-sectional study: caffeine consumption and their perception among pharmacy students

“…This purpose was supported by another study which concludes that caffeine enhances cognitive performance. 20 Study conducted by Caroline 13 indicated that 79% of university students consumed caffeine to make them awake especially to concentrate during class or examination week. Another purpose of consuming caffeine identified in the study revealed that more than half of the students consume caffeine to satisfy a craving (58.1%).…”

The effect of caffeine consumption on attention performance in female students at the faculty of health sciences

“…On the other hand, it has been stated in different studies that caffeine consumption has no effect and adversely affects performance at the cognitive level (Foreman et al , 1989; Deslandes et al , 2005; Schmitt et al , 2003). Furthermore, it has also been determined that low-medium dose caffeine consumption (40–100 mg) has an effect on cognitive functions such as attention, alertness, reaction time, fatigue perception and mood (Irwin et al , 2018). In our study, 100 mg of caffeine consumption had no effect on attention levels of female college students, consistent with the results of Irwin et al (2018).…”

“…Furthermore, it has also been determined that low-medium dose caffeine consumption (40–100 mg) has an effect on cognitive functions such as attention, alertness, reaction time, fatigue perception and mood (Irwin et al , 2018). In our study, 100 mg of caffeine consumption had no effect on attention levels of female college students, consistent with the results of Irwin et al (2018). However, our results show that 200 mg of caffeine, which is accepted as a high dose in the literature (Smit and Rogers, 2000) can increase attention levels.…”

The post-lunch effect of regular and decaffeinated coffee on psychomotor performance: a randomized double-blind cross-over study

“…12 Caffeine given as black coffee or addition of caffeine capsule to decaffeinated coffee has earlier been reported to improve psychomotor performance. 2,11,19,20 It is quite possible that higher content of caffeine, other bioactive constituents of coffee or its aroma could have produced beneficial effect on psychomotor functions in previous studies. 2,9,19 Frequent consumption of coffee during the day has also been shown to improve CFF and CRT at different time points of the day including afternoon when compared with plain water as placebo.…”