Does coffee impact anxiety?

Introduction

The relationship between coffee consumption and anxiety has been a subject of extensive research. Various studies have explored how coffee, primarily due to its caffeine content, impacts anxiety levels in different populations and under different conditions. This synthesis aims to present a cohesive understanding of the current research on this topic.

Key Insights

No Significant Impact on Anxiety in General Populations:
- Several studies found no significant association between coffee consumption and self-reported anxiety symptoms in general populations .
Impact of High Coffee Consumption:
- Excessive coffee intake, such as consuming more than 20 cups daily, has been linked to anxiety syndromes, which can be alleviated by reducing coffee consumption.
- High doses of caffeine are associated with increased anxiety-like behavior, particularly in males, and can also lead to oxidative DNA damage in the hippocampus.
Habitual vs. Nonhabitual Drinkers:
- In nonhabitual coffee drinkers, coffee can enhance the cardiovascular response to mental stress, potentially increasing anxiety levels. In contrast, habitual drinkers show a blunted response, indicating a possible tolerance effect.
Sensitive Populations:
- Children and individuals with anxiety disorders may be more sensitive to the anxiety-inducing effects of caffeine. Reducing caffeine intake in these groups can lead to improvements in anxiety symptoms .
Gender Differences:
- Men appear to be more sensitive to the anxiety-inducing effects of coffee than women. This difference may be due to genetic factors and the presence of estradiol, which has anxiolytic properties .

Conclusion

The impact of coffee on anxiety varies depending on the amount consumed, individual sensitivity, and habitual consumption patterns. While moderate coffee consumption does not significantly affect anxiety levels in the general population, excessive intake can induce anxiety symptoms. Sensitive groups, such as children and individuals with anxiety disorders, may benefit from reducing caffeine intake. Additionally, gender differences suggest that men might be more susceptible to the anxiety-inducing effects of coffee than women.

Does coffee impact anxiety?

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Acute effects of coffee consumption on self-reported gastrointestinal symptoms, blood pressure and stress indices in healthy individuals

Acute coffee consumption in non-stressful conditions activates alpha-amylase and blood pressure without affecting salivary cortisol, suggesting it may have some anti-stress properties.

Coffee Blunts Mental Stress–Induced Blood Pressure Increase in Habitual but Not in Nonhabitual Coffee Drinkers

Nonhabitual coffee drinkers experience a higher blood pressure response to mental stress, while habitual coffee drinkers experience a blunted response, suggesting ingredients other than caffeine play a role in the cardiovascular system's response to stress.

Excess Coffee and Anxiety States

Excessive coffee consumption may lead to anxiety states, and doctors should be aware of the potential for caffeine-induced states to prevent unnecessary tranquilliser use and prolonged anxiety syndromes.

Consumption of coffee or tea and symptoms of anxiety.

No significant association was found between coffee or tea consumption and self-reported symptoms of anxiety in this study.

Coffee consumption, cigarette smoking and reporting of drowsiness in anxious patients treated with benzodiazepines or placebo

Heavy coffee consumption and cigarette smoking increase the frequency of drowsiness in anxious patients treated with benzodiazepines, with the impact varying based on the level of cigarette smoking.

Caffeine consumption and self-assessed stress, anxiety, and depression in secondary school children

Positive associations between total weekly caffeine intake and anxiety and depression in secondary school children remain, with coffee being the major contributor to high overall caffeine intake.

Coffee consumption among psychiatric inpatients.

High caffeine consumption among psychiatric inpatients is associated with increased state anxiety, but not with trait anxiety or MMPI scores.

Coffee and Anxiety

Men are more sensitive to coffee's effects on anxiety than women, and individuals with anxiety disorders may benefit from reducing their intake due to genetic factors.

Caffeine reduction as an adjunct to anxiety management.

Reducing caffeine intake can significantly improve anxiety, irritability, sleep disturbance, headaches, and abdominal symptoms.

Sex-specific differences on caffeine consumption and chronic stress-induced anxiety-like behavior and DNA breaks in the hippocampus

Chronic caffeine consumption and stress-induced anxiety-like behavior increase in male rats, but not in females, possibly due to the presence of estradiol.

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