Is your morning coffee essential for boosting energy or a placebo?
Share on Pinterest Drinking coffee may have different effects on the brain compared to taking caffeine alone, a study finds. Amor Burakova/Stocksy Researchers compared the neurological effects of coffee and caffeine consumption. They found that coffee, but not caffeine consumption increases brain activity linked to visual processing and higher-level cognitive function. The findings mean that some key benefits of drinking coffee may not be related to caffeine. Could your morning cup of coffee be a placebo when it comes to boosting alertness and performance? That may be the case, according to a new study that compared the effects of drinking coffee vs. consuming caffeine only. Many people drink coffee first thing in the morning to overcome fatigue, stay alert and work effectively. Around 75% of the United States population ages 20 and over drink coffee, and approximately 49% drink coffee daily. Coffee contains various compounds that affect the brain in different ways. Caffeine is the mo...