Reversal of caffeine withdrawal by ingestion of a soft beverage

Following regular use, acute cessation of caffeine is associated with a cha racteristic withdrawal syndrome. Despite this, caffeine remains popular wit h its consumers. The aim of this study was to examine the physiologic and p sychologic effects of small caffeine doses, administered in the form of a m arket-leading soft drink, on healthy women who were acutely withdrawn from caffeine. After 48-h abstinence and overnight fast, 12 healthy (22 to 40 ye ars) female volunteers, all regular caffeine users (daily consumption 143 t o 773mg) consumed using a double-blind, randomized, controlled cross-over d esign either 2 tins of regular or caffeine-free Diet Coke. On both visits a Mars bar was eaten to prevent hypoglycaemia. Thus, the caffeine load was 7 6 or 10 mg respectively. Following ingestion of regular Diet Coke, there wa s a 10% fall in middle cerebral artery velocity (95% CI [6%-14%], p < 0.005 versus caffeine free) and improvement in feelings of pleasure (p < 0.046) and energy (p < 0.037). Intellectual function (4-choice reaction time) was unaffected by caffeine status. On both visits, ingestion of Diet Coke induc ed a presser response (maximum rise in systolic pressure (+)15 +/- 2 mm Hg with caffeine and (+)12 +/- 2 mm Hg with caffeine-free beverage, both p < 0 .001 compared with baseline). In conclusion, in women acutely withdrawn fro m caffeine, ingestion of a popular soft beverage containing modest amounts of caffeine is associated with demonstrable physiologic and psychologic eff ects. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.