There may yet be a method to help you better manage your budget, and it has to do with the timing of your caffeine consumption.
Caffeine is a mild stimulant that increases dopamine release in the brain and is widely consumed to boost alertness and energy levels. It is naturally present in tea, coffee, chocolate, kola, guarana, and yerba mate and can be added to beverages and supplements. The recommended maximum caffeine intake is 400 mg per day, which would be equivalent to three 8-oz cups (237 mL) of brewed coffee, according to Health Canada.
Caffeine is primarily broken down in the liver and gets absorbed within about 45 minutes after consumption. Drinking caffeinated beverages on an empty stomach would likely offer a quicker energy boost compared to drinking during a meal, which can delay the absorption of caffeine. Regular consumption of caffeine can lead to the development of caffeine tolerance, thus reducing its stimulant effects. When caffeine is abruptly eliminated from the diet, withdrawal symptoms including irritability, headache, agitation, depressed mood, and fatigue usually follow.
While some studies have linked caffeine consumption with protection from fibrosis, gallstones, Parkinson’s disease, asthma, type 2 diabetes, and heart failure, it has also been associated with increased risks of insomnia, anxiety, miscarriage, and low birth weight. And now we have a study suggesting that caffeine may be linked with impulsive spending.
This study investigated the effects of low to moderate amounts of caffeine (30 – 100 mg) on consumer behaviour and discovered that it led to a higher number of items purchased and higher overall spending. This effect is stronger for high-hedonic products, such as fragrances, chocolate, and decorative objects, and attenuated for low-hedonic products, such as kitchen utensils and storage items. The authors explained that this undesirable purchase behaviour occurred because the stimulant nature of caffeine triggers a higher level of energetic arousal. In this state, one feels more energized and excited, leading to inhibited cognitive control and increased impulsivity.
Although caffeine consumption may make for a more enjoyable shopping experience due to the higher energetic arousal states, consumers need to be aware of its unintended consequences, such as unplanned spending, which in these days of inflation could be a problem. Still, while this study is suggestive, it falls sort of hard evidence.
K. Coco Zhang is a third-year dietetics student at ±«ÓăÖ±˛Ą
