The potential health benefits of caffeinated beverages, including coffee, tea and cocoa, are highlighted in a series of research papers being presented at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society, in Anaheim, Calif., March 21 - 25. Included are discussions about how these drinks can increase energy and alertness and inhibit tumors and hardening of the arteries. One paper also reports that caffeine is not addictive when consumed in moderation. Following are selected samples of the nearly 50 papers being presented on this topic.
Behavioral Effects of Caffeine - A decade of research into caffeine's influence on cognition and mood shows that it helps performance in tasks requiring sustained attention, even during low alertness situations such as after lunch, at night or when a person has a cold, according to this review of the work. (University of Bristol, U.K.; AGFD paper 22; Monday, March 22, 9:30 a.m.; Hilton, Huntington, A/B/C.)
Caffeine and Addiction - While confirming caffeine's benefits to improve performance, the potential to become addicted to caffeine appears to be quite unlikely, especially at moderate levels of consumption, according to the author of this study. (INSERM, Strasburg, France; AGFD paper 23; Monday, March 22, 9:55 a.m.; Hilton, Huntington A/B/C. For release Sunday, March 21, 4 p.m. Pacific Standard Time)
Health Benefits of Tea Catechins - A major group of compounds in green tea, catechins (pronounced cat-uh-kins) have anti-oxidative, as well as antibacterial, antiviral potency, according to the author. (Food Research Institute, Fujieda City, Japan; AGFD paper 75; Wednesday, March 24, 9:35 a.m.; Hilton, Huntington A/B/C.)
Antioxidants in Green and Black Tea Inhibit Atherosclerosis - Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) was inhibited in hamsters during a 10 week dose-response experiment with green and black tea, even when the tea was very dilute. Both teas lowered lipids and lipid oxidation in the hamsters, according to the paper's abstract. (University of Scranton, Penn.; AGFD paper 82; Wednesday, March 24, 2:00 p.m.; Hilton, Huntington A/B/C.)
Antioxidant Substances in Cacao Liquor Could Inhibit Ulcers and Skin Cancer - Cacao liquor, an ingredient of chocolate and cocoa, contains antioxidative polyphenolic substances that show anti-ulceric activity in rats and an inhibitory effect on tumor promotion in mouse skin, among other benefits, according to the paper's abstract. (Functional Foods Research Lab., Saitama, Japan; AGFD paper 88; Wednesday, March 24, 4:15 p.m.; Hilton, Huntington A/B/C.)
Cocoa and Chocolate May Have Cardiovascular Benefits - There is increasing in vitro evidence that polyphenolic compounds, specifically the procyanidins and oligomeric procyanidins that contribute to the flavor of chocolate and cocoa, may also have potential cardiovascular benefits, according to this study. (M&M/Mars, Inc., Hackettstown, N.J.; AGFD paper 93; Thursday, March 25, 11:00 a.m.; Hilton, Huntington A/B/C.)
A nonprofit organization with a membership of nearly 159,000 chemists and chemical engineers, the American Chemical Society publishes scientific journals and databases, convenes major research conferences, and provides educational, science policy and career programs in chemistry. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.