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Non-randomised trial, 2024

Does caffeine improve cognitive function in women with PMS?

No. Caffeine did not improve attention or working memory in women with PMS after they stopped consuming caffeine, regardless of how quickly they metabolize caffeine.

Early or limited evidence 26 women of childbearing age with PMS

What they did

Crossover study with 26 women of childbearing age with PMS who had abstained from caffeine. Participants completed cognitive tests measuring attention and working memory after taking either caffeine or a placebo. Participants were grouped by genetic variation affecting caffeine metabolism (17 fast-metabolizer type and 9 slower-metabolizer types).

What they found

Both attention and working memory improved after both caffeine and placebo, but there was no statistical difference between the two. Working memory improved for participants with the slower-metabolizer genotype after placebo but not after caffeine. The fast-metabolizer group showed no significant changes with either placebo or caffeine.

What it means for you

Caffeine does not appear to help cognitive function in women with PMS who have stopped using it. How quickly or slowly a woman metabolizes caffeine did not change this result. However, the study was very small with only 26 participants and only measured short-term effects, so more research is needed.

26

women with PMS in study

17

fast caffeine metabolizer genotype

9

slow caffeine metabolizer genotype

About the study

Original title
Caffeine intervention after abstinence does not alter cognitive parameters in premenstrual syndrome women regardless of CYP1A2 genotype
Authors
Renata Lira de Assis, Caroline Severo de Assis, Tainá Gomes Diniz et al.
Journal
Journal of Functional Foods
Year
2024
Study design
Non-randomised trial
Participants
26
What was tested
Single dose of caffeine or placebo after caffeine abstinence period
Open access
Yes

Topics