Added caffeine boosts fizz consumption
“This research supports the need for caffeine to be tightly regulated as an additive in the food supply, as it appears an ingredient for overconsumption"
Researchers from Deakin University’s Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research (C-Pan) have found that caffeine increases the consumption of soft drinks. They found people drinking caffeinated drinks consumed much more than those who drank the non-caffeinated equivalents.
“This research supports the need for caffeine to be tightly regulated as an additive in the food supply, as it appears an ingredient for overconsumption,” senior author Associate Professor Lynn Riddell says.
“The increasing consumption of nutrient poor, high energy foods and drinks is a major contributor to the continuing problems of overweight and obesity.”
While caffeine occurs naturally in coffee, tea and chocolate, it is an additive in soft drinks – mostly cola-flavoured and energy drinks. It is estimated that more than 60% of soft drink consumption is of the caffeinated variety.
The C-Pan study involved 99 participants, aged 18-30, who were randomly assigned to either a caffeinated or non-caffeinated soft drink group. Over the 28-day intervention they consumed as much of the soft drinks as they wanted.
The results showed participants in the caffeinated drinks group drank 419ml (785 kilojoules) per day, significantly more than those in the non-caffeinated group who drank 273ml (512 kilojoules). As with previous C-Pan research, a separate group of trained flavour testers found no difference between the caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks. Soft-drink manufacturers claim caffeine is added as a flavour enhancer; however, this claim is challenged by this research.
Nevil Gibson
Sat, 24 Jan 2015
Sat, 24 Jan 2015
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
Added caffeine boosts fizz consumption
44580