An exploratory experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of coffee, guaraná, and yerba mate on mood and performance, and to determine any potential of these beverages to overcome the soporific effects of lunch. Seventy-one female students were assigned to four beverages, including a decaffeinated coffee control, and tested on two days (lunch/no lunch), over three sessions (prior to drinking the beverage, and again 60 and 150 minutes after drinking the beverages). Lunch had little effect other than to increase pulse. Guaraná increased systolic blood pressure and accuracy on a vigilance task; coffee increased accuracy on the vigilance task; but yerba mate had no significant effects. Further research is recommended before any definitive conclusions about the effects of guaraná and yerba mate are reached.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
Research Group:	Psychology
Research Field:	Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding Knowledge in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
Author:	Meyer, K (Mrs Katherine Meyer)
Author:	Ball, PJ (Mr Peter Ball)
ID Code:	29922
Year Published:	2004
Deposited By:	Psychology
Deposited On:	2004-08-01
Last Modified:	2005-05-28
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