Short description:

Coffee, Tea, Chocolate, and the Brain analyzes current research findings on caffeine compounds and their interaction with the brain and central nervous system. The book discusses the effects of coffee, tea, and chocolate on memory, cognitive performance, Parkinson's disease, stroke, oxidative stress, headache and sleep disorders, addiction dependence, and more. It also explores the relationships between caffeine and seizures, blood flow, alertness, and cravings. With contributions from world experts in the field, this reference will be of great interest to all students and researchers of nutrition, psychology, neuroscience, pharmacology, and other health related sciences.

Long description:

Coffee, tea, and chocolate are among the most frequently consumed products in the world. The pleasure that many experience from these edibles is accompanied by a range of favorable and adverse effects on the brain that have been the focus of a wealth of recent research.

Coffee, Tea, Chocolate, and the Brain presents new information on the long-debated issue about the beneficial and/or potentially negative effects on the brain of the consumption of coffee, tea, and chocolate. With caffeine as the common component in these beverages and food, this volume features important data on the effects of caffeine on sleep, memory, cognition, mood, performance, and more. It also contains specific information on new directions of research on the effect of caffeine on Parkinson?s disease, seizures, ischemia, the stress axis, and brain development. Debate on the potential addiction to caffeine is included, as well as discussion of how chocolate and caffeine can induce or alleviate various types of headaches.

With contributions from world-renowned experts in the field, this up-to-date reference provides important information for scientists, researchers, industry professionals, and students involved in nutrition, neurology, neuropharmacology, clinical psychology, and other health-related sciences.

?? question the positive and negative effects on the brain (and on health in general) of the consumption of three methylxanthine-containing substances: either coffee, tea and ? to a lesser degree ? chocolate. ? will be an important addendum for basic and clinical scientists, since most results on these problems and issues can usually be found only in academic journals and not often in books. The other positive point here is the presence of a detailed index. Apart from doctors and chemists, I also believe that many nutritionists, neurologists and perhaps most coffee drinkers could enjoy most of that reading; in fact, although it is an academic publication with graphs and tables, one will find many elements in every chapter that can be understood without a specialization in chemistry or in neuropharmacology.?
? Yves Laberge, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada, in the Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, Vol. 33, No. 3, February 2007

Table of Contents:

Mechanisms of Action of Caffeine on the Nervous System. Effects of Caffeine on Sleep and Wakefulness: An Update. Arousal and Behavior: Biopsychological Effects of Caffeine. Coffee, Caffeine and Cognitive Performance Effects of Coffee and Caffeine on Mood and Mood Disorders. Age-related Changes in the Effects of Coffee on Memory and Cognitive Performance. Neurodevelopmental Consequences of Coffee/Caffeine Exposure. Caffeine Effects on the Human Stress Axis. Dependence Upon Coffee and Caffeine: An Update. Caffeine and Parkinson?s Disease. Caffeine in Ischemia and Seizures: Paradoxical Effects of Long-term Exposure. Caffeine and Headache: Relationship with the Effects of Caffeine on Cerebral Blood Flow. Effects of Non-caffeine Constituents in Roasted Coffee on the Brain. Can Tea Consumption Protect Against Stroke? The Biology and Psychology of Chocolate Craving. Is There a Relationship between Chocolate Consumption and Headache?