Brewing a Historical Review of Coffee and Neurology in the First Half of the 20th Century
Nicholas Bellacicco1, John Benalcazar2, Ahmad Ali1, Machteld Hillen1
1Rutgers-NJMS, 2AUC School of Medicine
Objective:
To review the medical literature for attributed effects of coffee on the nervous system.
Background:
Coffee is the one of the most habitually consumed caffeinated beverages worldwide and is known for its psychoactive effects on the nervous system, commonly attributed to its caffeine content. There have been many studies and observations throughout the years describing the effects of coffee consumption on the nervous system. We conducted this review to evaluate neurological symptoms believed to be caused by coffee in the first half of the 1900s.
Design/Methods:
A historical literature review was completed using PubMed and Google Scholar between 1900-1950. Search terms utilized were ((Effects[Title])) AND (Coffee[Title]) (PubMed) as well as Allintitle: effects AND coffee (Google Scholar). Inclusion criteria were historical manuscripts discussing coffee in relation to the nervous system. Articles were excluded when they did not meet criteria or were repeated.
Results:
We reviewed 18 historical manuscripts. Ten manuscripts met inclusion criteria (55%). One study highlighted only positive effects, one study highlighted only negative effects, and the remaining eight described both positive and negative effects of coffee on the nervous system. The negative impacts of coffee consumption were described as follows: poisoning, worsening of school marks in children, worsening of sleep quality, nervousness, and various autonomic dysfunctions. Benefits attributed to coffee consumption included: decreased tiredness, shortened reaction time, increased attention span, decreased sleep movement, and even decreased heart rate.
Conclusions:
Through this historical literature review of coffee and its effects on the nervous system in the first half of the 20th century, it is apparent that the viewpoint of the risks and benefits of coffee consumption has always been tumultuous. Further research was not within the scope of this study; however, the controversy of coffee consumption and its impact on the nervous system continues to date.