Search Results (36)

With the development of various new types of instrumental aroma sensing technologies, there is a need for methodologies that help developers and users evaluate the performance of the different devices. This study introduces a simple method that uses standard coffee beverages, reproducible worldwide, thus allowing users to compare aroma sensing devices and technologies globally. Eight different variations of commercial coffee capsules were used to brew espresso coffees (40 mL), consisting of either Arabica coffee or a blend of Robusta and Arabica coffee, covering a wide range of sensory attributes. The AlphaMOS Astree electronic tongue (equipped with sensors based on chemically modified field-effect transistor technology) and the AlphaMOS Heracles NEO and the Volatile Scout3 electronic noses (both using separation technology based on gas chromatography) were used to describe the taste and odor profiles of the freshly brewed coffee samples and also to compare them to the various sensory characteristics declared on the original packaging, such as intensity, roasting, acidity, bitterness, and body. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) results showed that these technologies were able to classify the samples similarly to the pattern of the coffees based on the human sensory characteristics. In general, the arrangement of the different coffee types in the LDA results—i.e., the similarities and dissimilarities in the types based on their taste or smell—was the same in the case of the Astree electronic tongue and the Heracles electronic nose, while slightly different arrangements were found for the Scout3 electronic nose. The results of the Astree electronic tongue and those of the Heracles electronic nose showed the taste and smell profiles of the decaffeinated coffees to be different from their caffeinated counterparts. The Heracles and Scout3 electronic noses provided high accuracies in classifying the samples based on their odor into the sensory classes presented on the coffee capsules’ packaging. Despite the technological differences in the investigated devices, the introduced coffee test could assess the similarities in the taste and odor profiling capacities of the aroma fingerprinting technologies. Since the coffee capsules used for the test can be purchased all over the world in the same quality, these coffees can be used as global standard samples during the comparison of different devices applying different measurement technologies. The test can be used to evaluate instrumentational and data analytical developments worldwide and to assess the potential of novel, cost-effective, accurate, and rapid solutions for quality assessments in the food and beverage industry. Full article

Background: Coffee is considered one of the most preferred and consumed beverage types in the world, and caffeine is known to increase physical performance due to its ergogenic properties. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of coffee consumption in different forms on cortisol, testosterone, lactic acid and anaerobic performance levels. Methods: A total of 15 licensed male football players participated in the research voluntarily. The research was implemented in a single-blind, counterbalanced, randomized and crossover study design. Participants were given caffeinated coffee (CK), decaffeinated coffee (placebo) (DK), powdered caffeine (in a gelatin capsule) (PC) and powdered placebo (maltodextrin in a capsule) (PM) on different days, and the Wingate test protocol was performed after the warm-up protocol. Blood samples were collected post-test. Cortisol, testosterone and lactic acid levels in the serum samples taken were determined by the ELISA method. Results: As a result, it was revealed that caffeinated coffee given to participants who exercise increased anaerobic power. However, it was observed that lactic acid levels were higher in placebo and decaffeinated coffee. The highest level of cortisol was found in caffeinated coffee and powdered caffeine compared to the placebo. Testosterone values were observed to be highest in caffeinated coffee and decaffeinated coffee compared to a placebo. Conclusions: The study suggests that the type of caffeine is a factor that affects absorption rate, which impacts performance and hormone levels. Full article

New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) is known to alter exercise-induced physiological and metabolic responses with chronic (i.e., 7 days) dosing. We examined the effects of acute intake of New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract on 4 h indoor cycling-induced physiological and metabolic responses in a male amateur Ironman athlete (age: 49 years; BMI: 24.3 kg·m⁻²; $\dot{V}$O_2max: 58.6 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹; maximal aerobic power: 400 W; history: 14 Ironman events in 16 years) three weeks before competition. Indirect calorimetry was used and heart rate was recorded at 30 min intervals during 4 h indoor (~22.4 °C, relative humidity: ~55%) constant power (165 W) cycling on a Trek Bontrager connected to a Kickr smart trainer. Blood lactate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were taken at 60 min intervals. Study was a single-blind placebo-controlled study with capsules (4 × 105 mg anthocyanins) taken 2 h before starting the 4 h of cycling. Water was allowed ad libitum with personalised consumption of gels [a total of eight with three with caffeine (100 mg)], two bananas and 8 × electrolyte capsules (each 250 mg sodium and 125 mg potassium) at personalised time-points. With NZBC extract (CurraNZ), during 4 h of cycling (mean of 8 measurements), minute ventilation was 8% lower than placebo. In addition, there was no difference for oxygen uptake, with carbon dioxide production found to be 4% lower with NZBC extract. With the NZBC extract, the ventilatory equivalents were lower for oxygen and carbon dioxide by 5.5% and 3.7%; heart rate was lower by 10 beats·min⁻¹; lactate was 40% different with lower lactate at 2, 3 and 4 h; RPE was lower at 2, 3 and 4 h; and carbohydrate oxidation was 11% lower. With NZBC extract, there was a trend for fat oxidation to be higher by 13% (p = 0.096), with the respiratory exchange ratio being lower by 0.02 units. Acute intake of New Zealand blackcurrant extract (420 mg anthocyanins) provided beneficial physiological and metabolic responses during 4 h of indoor constant power cycling in a male amateur Ironman athlete 3 weeks before a competition. Future work is required to address whether acute and chronic dosing strategies with New Zealand blackcurrant provide a nutritional ergogenic effect for Ironman athletes to enhance swimming, cycling and running performance. Full article

The betel nut is one of the most widely consumed addictive substances in the world after nicotine, ethanol, and caffeine. Arecoline is an active ingredient from the areca nut. It has many pharmacological effects and can affect the central nervous system. In this study, we found that arecoline can relieve fatigue behavior. Objective: This research aims to estimate the anti-fatigue effects of arecoline and explore its underlying mechanisms using a murine model of central fatigue precipitated by sleep deprivation (SD). Methods: Seventy-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to six groups: a control group, an SD-induced fatigue model group, a group that received Rhodiola Rosea capsules (2.5 mg/kg), and three arecoline groups, which were administered at low, medium, and high doses (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, respectively). Following 28 days of continuous administrations, the effects of arecoline on mouse fatigue-related behaviors were assessed by behavioral tests, including grip strength, rotarod performance, and weight-bearing swimming endurance. The release levels of the related biochemical markers were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Western blotting was employed to quantify the expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), sequestosome-1 (p62), and NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) in the gastrocnemius muscle. Results: Arecoline administration notably enhanced grip strength, delayed the onset of fatigue as evidenced by extended latencies in rotarod tests, and increased the duration of weight-bearing swimming in mice. In the elevated plus maze, arecoline obviously decreased both the number of entries and the total distance traveled in the open arms. Arecoline markedly decreased the contents of creatine kinase, blood urea nitrogen, lactate dehydrogenase, triglycerides, and cholesterol in the serum, while it elevated the levels of total testosterone, lactate dehydrogenase, and immunoglobulin G. Furthermore, it significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase in the gastrocnemius muscle, reduced malondialdehyde levels, augmented hippocampal SOD and CAT activity, and elevated glycogen stores in both liver and muscle tissues. Neurotransmitter levels showed significant increases, cytokine levels were markedly reduced, and the expressions of Nrf2, Keap1, NQO1, p62, and HO-1 in brain tissues were significantly upregulated. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that arecoline has anti-fatigue activity, and the specific mechanisms are associated with elevating glucose and lipid metabolism levels, relieving oxidative stress damage, inhibiting neuroinflammatory response, and regulating neurotransmitter levels and the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. The research provides a new direction for arecoline’s potential in preventing and improving fatigue. Full article

Ilex paraguariensis, commonly known as yerba mate, is a plant belonging to the holly genus Ilex and the Aquifoliaceae family, indigenous to South America, and is used for the production of yerba mate. Yerba mate is renowned for its abundance of essential nutrients and bioactive compounds. Based on test results, it can be assumed that the selection of raw material for the preparation of extracts as well as the extraction method significantly influence the final content of biologically active compounds in the extracts. Consequently, this variability impacts the ultimate concentration of biologically active substances within the end product, potentially influencing human consumption. The present study aimed to quantify and compare the content of selected biological active compounds in supplements and products containing I. paraguariensis extracts, along with organic yerba mate dried through a smoke-free process, available in the European market (P-1–P-10). The evaluation focused on antioxidant substances such as neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, 4-feruloylquinic acid, isochlorogenic acid, rutoside astragalin, and caffeine. Additionally, the concentration of specific macro and trace elements was ascertained. The antioxidant compound makeup differs between methanol-extracted samples and aqueous extracts. In both cases, methanol extracts, particularly those in instant and traditional herb forms, showed the highest content of organic compounds with antioxidant properties (such as phenolic compounds and caffeine). The highest content of chlorogenic acid was detected in both methanol (14.7412 mg/g d.w.) and water (8.3120 mg/g d.w.) extracts in product P-4. The caffeic acid content ranged from 0.1491 mg/g d.w. to 1.7938 mg/g d.w. in methanol extracts and from 0.0760 mg/g d.w. to 0.4892 mg/g d.w. in water extracts. The neochlorogenic acid content ranged from 2.6869 to 23.9750 mg/g d.w. in ethanol extracts and from 0.4529 to 10.2299 mg/g d.w. in water extracts. Therefore, the traditional preparation of yerba mate as a water infusion does not fully exploit the raw material’s potential. Among the tested products, only the dietary supplement in capsule form contained protocatechuic acid, which was not present in any other tested products. Conversely, compounds characteristic of yerba mate found in other preparations were absent in this supplement. The caffeine content was also the lowest in this product. The determined content of active substances did not consistently match the declarations made by producers if stated on the packaging. Full article

While previous studies have explored a range of factors governing the optimal use of caffeine (CAF) in athletes, limited research has explored how time of day (TOD) affects the ergogenic effects of various CAF dosages on physical performance. This study aimed to increase knowledge about how different recommended CAF doses (3 mg/kg vs. 6 mg/kg) ingested at different TODs affected maximal high-intensity physical performance and the perception of potential side effects in female athletes. In this double-blind, randomized, and counterbalanced study, 15 low CAF consumer athletes (aged 18.3 ± 0.5 y) underwent six trials, including three testing conditions assessed across two TODs: one in the morning (08:00 a.m.) and one in the evening (06:00 p.m.). During each condition, the participants ingested either a placebo, 3 mg/kg CAF (CAF (3 mg)), or 6 mg/kg CAF (CAF (6 mg)) capsules 60 min before each test with an in-between washout period of at least 72 h. In each trial, the participants performed a countermovement jumps test (CMJ), a modified agility t test (MATT), a repeated sprint ability (RSA), a rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and finally, a CAF side effects questionnaire. Our findings indicate the absence of an ergogenic effect on CMJ, MAT, and RSA performance in the evening after administering CAF (3 mg) or CAF (6 mg) compared to a placebo. Likewise, when CAF was ingested in the morning, there was an improvement in these performances with both CAF (3 mg) and CAF (6 mg), with greater improvement observed after CAF (6 mg). Additionally, neither the CAF dosage nor the TOD had a significant effect on the RPE. The occurrence of side effects increased significantly after the evening ingestion of CAF, particularly with a moderate dose of CAF (6 mg). Our findings indicate that the effectiveness of CAF depends on the TOD and CAF dosage. When ingested in the morning, a moderate dose of CAF (6 mg), rather than CAF (3 mg), is more effective in improving short-term physical performance without affecting CAF side effects in female athletes. Nevertheless, when ingested in the evening, neither dose was sufficient to enhance short-term physical performance, and both dosages increased the incidence of CAF side effects, particularly at a moderate dose. Full article

Guarana (GUA), a Brazilian seed extract, contains caffeine and other bioactive compounds that may have psychoactive effects. To assess the acute effects of GUA compared to a low dose of caffeine (CAF) on cognitive and mood parameters, twenty participants completed a double-blind, crossover experiment where they ingested capsules containing the following: (1) 100 mg CAF, (2) 500 mg GUA containing 130 mg caffeine, or (3) placebo (PLA). Cognitive tests (Simon and 2N-Back Task) were performed at the baseline (pre-ingestion) and 60 min after ingestion. The response time for the cognitive tests and heart rate variability were unaffected (p > 0.05) by treatment, although 2N-Back was overall faster (p = 0.001) across time. The accuracy in the 2N-Back Task showed a significant interaction effect (p = 0.029) due to higher post-ingestion versus pre-ingestion levels (p = 0.033), but only with the PLA. The supplements also had no effect on cognitive measures following physical fatigue (n = 11). There was an interaction effect on perceived mental energy, where the pre-ingestion of GUA had lower mental pep ratings compared to post-ingestion (p = 0.006) and post-exercise (p = 0.018) levels. Neither the acute ingestion of GUA nor low dose of CAF influenced cognitive performance or provided consistent benefit on mood or mental workload through vagal modulation. Additional investigations are beneficial to determining the lowest effective dose for CAF or GUA to influence mood and/or cognitive performance. Full article

This study aimed to explore the effects of acute ingestion of caffeine capsules on muscle strength and muscle endurance. We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Scopus, and EBSCO databases. Data were pooled using the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval. Fourteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The acute ingestion of caffeine capsules significantly improved muscle strength (WMD, 7.09, p < 0.00001) and muscle endurance (WMD, 1.37; p < 0.00001), especially in males (muscle strength, WMD, 7.59, p < 0.00001; muscle endurance, WMD, 1.40, p < 0.00001). Subgroup analyses showed that ≥ 6 mg/kg body weight of caffeine (WMD, 6.35, p < 0.00001) and ingesting caffeine 45 min pre-exercise (WMD, 8.61, p < 0.00001) were more effective in improving muscle strength, with the acute ingestion of caffeine capsules having a greater effect on lower body muscle strength (WMD, 10.19, p < 0.00001). In addition, the acute ingestion of caffeine capsules had a greater effect in moderate-intensity muscle endurance tests (WMD, 1.76, p < 0.00001). An acute ingestion of caffeine capsules significantly improved muscle strength and muscle endurance in the upper body and lower body of males. Full article

Caffeine (CAF), a prevalent psychoactive stimulant, is believed to potentially enhance cognitive ability. However, studies on the effects of various doses are limited and yield inconsistent results, particularly in female athletes. Therefore, we aimed to assess the association between three different dosages of CAF intake (low, moderate, and high) and cognitive skills in female athletes with low CAF consumption. This study had a randomized, crossover, double-blind design in which each athlete performed four experimental sessions after ingesting either a placebo (PLAC), 3 mg·kg⁻¹ of CAF (3 mg of CAF), 6 mg·kg⁻¹ of CAF (6 mg of CAF), or 9 mg·kg⁻¹ of CAF (9 mg of CAF) with an in-between washout period of at least 72 h. Following a 60 min window post-capsule consumption, fourteen female athletes (age: 17.4 ± 0.8 years) were assessed through various cognitive tests, namely, simple reaction time (SRT), choice reaction time (CRT), and attentional task (AT) tests, along with the mental rotation test (MRT). Additionally, they were required to complete a questionnaire about the undesirable side effects of CAF. Our results indicated that, compared to those of PLAC, the SRT, CRT, and AT performance were significantly improved following the administration of both 3 mg of CAF and 6 mg of CAF. While the greatest enhancement was observed after consuming ₃ mg of _CAF, no significant differences were found between the effects of 3 mg and 6 mg of CAF. Interestingly, MRT performance did not improve with any of the CAF dosages. Moreover, the ingestion of 9 mg of CAF did not enhance cognitive skills and was linked to the highest occurrence of CAF-related side effects. In conclusion, our results highlight the recommendation for a low CAF dosage of 3 mg·kg⁻¹, in contrast to a higher dose of 6 mg·kg⁻¹ or 9 mg·kg⁻¹ of CAF, to enhance various aspects of cognitive performance in female athletes with low CAF consumption without adverse side effects. Full article

The development of capsules with additives that can be added to polymers during extrusion processing can lead to advances in the manufacturing of textile fabrics with improved and durable properties. In this work, caffeine (CAF), which has anti-cellulite properties, has been encapsulated by liquid-assisted milling in zirconium-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with different textural properties and chemical functionalization: commercial UiO-66, UiO-66 synthesized without solvents, and UiO-66-NH₂ synthesized in ethanol. The CAF@MOF capsules obtained through the grinding procedure have been added during the extrusion process to recycled polyamide 6 (PA6) and to a biopolymer based on polylactic acid (PLA) to obtain a load of approximately 2.5 wt% of caffeine. The materials have been characterized by various techniques (XRD, NMR, TGA, FTIR, nitrogen sorption, UV–vis, SEM, and TEM) that confirm the caffeine encapsulation, the preservation of caffeine during the extrusion process, and the good contact between the polymer and the MOF. Studies of the capsules and PA6 polymer+capsules composites have shown that release is slower when caffeine is encapsulated than when it is free, and the textural properties of UiO-66 influence the release more prominently than the NH₂ group. However, an interaction is established between the biopolymer PLA and caffeine that delays the release of the additive. Full article

Caffeine (CAF) is among the most extensively researched dietary supplements worldwide. However, little is known about the relationship between dosage and performance enhancement, particularly in female athletes. This study aimed to explore the effects of three different CAF dosages (3 mg·kg⁻¹, 6 mg·kg⁻¹, and 9 mg·kg⁻¹) on high-intensity exercise and the prevalence of undesirable side effects related to these doses among female team-sports athletes. All participants (n = 16; age: 16.9 ± 0.6 y; height: 1.64 ± 0.1 m; BMI: 21.6 ± 1.5 kg·m⁻²) were mild CAF consumers. This study had a randomized, crossover, double-blind design in which each athlete performed four experimental sessions after ingesting either a placebo (PLAC), 3 mg·kg⁻¹ CAF (CAF-3), 6 mg·kg⁻¹ CAF (CAF-6), or 9 mg·kg⁻¹ of CAF (CAF-9), with an in-between washout period of at least 72 h. In each experimental session, 60 min after ingesting the capsules, participants underwent a countermovement jumps test (CMJ), modified agility t-test (MATT), repeated sprint ability (RSA) test, and a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and completed the CAF side effects questionnaire. Our findings revealed that in comparison to the PLAC condition, the MATT, RSA_mean, and RSA_best performances were significantly greater only under the CAF-6 and CAF-9 conditions. Although the RPE scores remained unchanged, CMJ performance improved under all CAF conditions. All the performance outcomes were better for the CAF-6 and CAF-9 conditions than for the CAF-3 condition. Notably, no significant difference between the CAF-6 and CAF-9 conditions was observed for any of these parameters despite the highest incidence of side effects being noted for the CAF-9 condition. In summary, our findings highlight the recommendation for a moderate CAF dosage of 6 mg·kg⁻¹ rather than 3 or 9 mg·kg⁻¹ to enhance various aspects of short-term maximal performance in mild-CAF-consumer female team-sports athletes while mitigating the occurrence of adverse CAF side effects. Full article

Because of the importance of gastric emptying for pharmacokinetics, numerous methods have been developed for its determination. One of the methods is the salivary tracer technique, which utilizes an ice capsule containing caffeine as a salivary tracer. Despite the ice capsule’s advantage in labeling ingested fluids with caffeine for subsequent salivary detection, its risk of premature melting before swallowing, and its complicated storage and preparation, limit its application, particularly in special populations (e.g., older people). For this reason, here, a compression-coated tablet was developed and validated against the ice capsule in a cross-over clinical trial. The two dosage forms were administered simultaneously to 12 volunteers in an upright position under fasted and fed state conditions. To distinguish the caffeine concentrations in saliva from each dosage form, regular type of caffeine (¹²C) was added to the tablet, while for the ice capsule ¹³C₃ labelled caffeine was used. The salivary caffeine concentrations showed no statistically significant differences for the pharmacokinetic parameters t_max and AUC_0→60 (p > 0.05). Thus, the new formulation is a useful tool for determining gastric emptying that can also be used in special populations. Full article

Ready-to-fill enteric hard capsule shells are an evolving field of oral drug and nutraceutical products. Lonza Capsugel^® Enprotect^® capsules were recently proven to provide reliable release in the small intestine after fasted intake, but robustness against postprandial intake needed to be proven. In this study, the capsules were administered to 16 healthy young subjects after intake of a light meal. The Enprotect^® capsules were labelled with 5 mg black iron oxide and 25 mg ¹³C₃-caffeine. Magnetic Resonance Imaging was used to identify the localization and visual dispersion of the capsule filling. The salivary appearance of caffeine was considered a second independent and sensitive marker for the initial release. Whereas the fasted gastric residence time of the capsules amounted to 43 ± 32 min, it was increased to 158 ± 36 min after postprandial intake. Therefore, the mean dispersion time according to MRI and the mean caffeine appearance time were increased to 196 ± 37 min and 189 ± 37 min, respectively. But, similar to fasted administration, no capsule disintegration or leakage was observed in the stomach and 38% of the capsules disintegrated in the jejunum and 62% in the ileum. The mean dispersion time after gastric emptying and the mean caffeine appearance time after gastric emptying amounted to 38 ± 21 min and 31 ± 17 min, respectively. Both did not relevantly change compared to the fasted intake. Only the absolute dispersion time and caffeine appearance were prolonged due to the increased gastric residence and no relevant influence of the light meal was observed on the disintegration or release behavior of Enprotect^® capsules after gastric emptying. The capsules also showed robust enteric properties after postprandial administration. Full article

This overview review aimed to describe the evolution of the characteristics of the research on caffeine effects on strength. A total of 189 experimental studies with 3459 participants were included. The median sample size was 15 participants, with an over-representation of men vs. women (79.4 vs. 20.6%). Studies on young participants and elders were scarce (4.2%). Most studies tested a single dose of caffeine (87.3%), while 72.0% used doses adjusted to body mass. Single-dose studies ranged from 1.7 to 7 mg/kg (4.8 ± 1.4 mg/kg), while dose–response studies ranged from 1 to 12 mg/kg. Caffeine was mixed with other substances in 27.0% of studies, although only 10.1% of studies analyzed the caffeine interaction with these substances. Capsules (51.9%) and beverages (41.3%) were the most common forms of caffeine administration. Similar proportions of studies focused on upper (24.9%) or lower body strength 37.6% (37.6% both). Participants’ daily intake of caffeine was reported in 68.3% of studies. Overall, the pattern in the study of caffeine’s effects on strength performance has been carried out with experiments including 11–15 adults, using a single and moderate dose of caffeine adjusted to participants’ body mass in the form of a capsule. Full article

Gastric water emptying as a critical parameter for oral drug absorption can be investigated by several imaging techniques or by the interpretation of pharmacokinetics of appropriate substances. Recently introduced salivary caffeine kinetics is a valuable tool, but the required caffeine abstinence limits its applicability. To avoid the caffeine abstinence, stable isotope-labeled caffeine might be used, but the representability and transferability of kinetics for evaluation of gastric emptying must be demonstrated. Thus, salivary caffeine pharmacokinetics were compared for naturally occurring ¹²C-caffeine and ¹³C₃-caffeine after the administration of water under fasting conditions in six healthy young subjects. For this purpose, an ice capsule containing the two caffeine species was administered with 50 mL tap water. Gastric water emptying was simultaneously quantified using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Gastric emptying of 50 mL of water could be successfully evaluated. The salivary caffeine kinetics of ¹³C₃- and ¹²C-caffeine were nearly congruent and showed good linear correlations in all subjects, with a mean correlation coefficient of 0.96 in pooled data. Thus, the substitution of natural ¹²C caffeine with stable isotope-labeled ¹³C₃-caffeine offers the opportunity for broader application of the salivary caffeine gastric emptying technique and increases the robustness of the method against environmental contamination with caffeine. Full article