Obese women experience more frequent and prolonged caffeine-induced effects when compared to non-obese women. Hence, caffeine dosing should consider body composition rather than weight alone.
In a recent study, obese and non-obese females exhibited distinct responses to caffeine, with obese females experiencing more adverse effects, including headaches, raised urine output, and heightened vigor/activeness 60 minutes after consuming 6 mg/kg body weight of caffeine. This study published in ‘Nutrients’ explored how body fat percentage in women influences caffeine metabolism and its effects.
Researchers analyzed 160 women, dividing them into four groups: (a) non-obese caffeine, (b) non-obese placebo, (c) obese caffeine, and (d) obese placebo. Participants in the caffeine groups were given 6 mg/kg body weight caffeine, while placebo groups were given starch-filled capsules. Participants filled out a questionnaire assessing caffeine-induced effects 1 hour post-ingestion and again within 24 hours. Compared to placebo, caffeine intake led to significant increases in neutral (27%), negative (34%), and positive (27%) effects.
Specifically, obese women reported more pronounced adverse effects, including a 27% rise in urine output, a 29% increase in vigor/activeness, and a 24% higher incidence of headaches an hour after ingestion. Participants with a body fat percentage above 30% experienced higher rates of muscle pain, heart palpitations, and gastrointestinal discomfort following caffeine intake compared to those with lower body fat levels.
The placebo group exhibited no notable effects, and no statistically significant placebo response was detected. The findings suggest that body fat percentage plays a crucial role in caffeine metabolism and tolerance, with obese women being more prone to side effects than non-obese women.
Nutrition
Obesity as an influencing factor for the occurrence of caffeine-induced effects in women
Przemysław Domaszewski et al.
Comments (0)