Abstract
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide and has been reported to have various physiological effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of coffee intake on gastric myoelectrical activity and autonomic nervous activity in humans. We performed a randomized crossover study involving 24 healthy males (12 non-habitual and 12 habitual coffee drinkers). Before and after ingestion of bread rolls (285 kcal) with 260 mL of coffee, decaffeinated coffee, or water, gastric myoelectrical activity was measured by electrogastrography for 20 min. Autonomic nervous activity was evaluated by heart rate variability (HRV) power spectral analysis, before and 35 min after ingestion. After coffee intake, a significant increase in electrogastrographic normogastric power was observed, in comparison with water intake. Moreover, coffee ingestion increased the total spectral power of HRV in habitual drinkers in comparison with non-habitual drinkers. Our results suggest that coffee intake enhances gastric motility and autonomic nervous activity.
