Researchers in Britain have found that while sipping a
cappuccino or downing an espresso boosts women's performance when working with
others, the same drinks could impair men's memories and slow their
decision-making.
In their study, the researchers from Bristol University
examined what coffee does to the body when it is already under stress, such as
during a tense meeting, the 'Daily Mail' reported.
They recruited 64 men and women and put them in same- sex
pairs. Each pair was given a range of tasks to complete, including carrying out
negotiations, completing puzzles and tackling memory challenges, and told they
would have to give a public presentation relating to their tasks afterwards.
Half of the pairs were given decaffeinated coffee, while the
others were handed a cup containing a large shot of caffeine.
The researchers found that men's performance in memory tests
was "greatly impaired" if they drank the caffeinated coffee. They
also took an average of 20 seconds longer to complete the puzzles than those on
the decaffeinated coffee.
But women completed the puzzles 100 seconds faster if they
had been given caffeine, according to the findings in the 'Journal of Applied
Social Psychology'.
Previous studies suggested that coffee may provide
protection against diabetes, Alzheimer?s disease, liver damage and gout.
