Smelling freshly brewed coffee briefly improves mood, small study suggests
For millions around the globe, a freshly brewed cup of coffee is a wake-up drink first thing in the morning and a pick-me-up during a long, tedious workday. Scientists now have clues that it might be more than just the boost from the psychoactive component, caffeine, that explains why we reach for that roasted-bean brew so often.
A small study published in Nutrients suggests that inhaling the aroma of freshly brewed coffee for just five minutes may improve mood in participants, according to research conducted in Japan. Scientists placed a glass container with coffee about 20 inches away from each of 20 university students, who then only breathed in the scent naturally diffusing from the container.
The aroma appeared to significantly reduce fatigue, tension, anxiety, confusion, and depression scores. Additionally, brain wave measurements showed an increase in a relaxation index, indicating a relaxation effect. However, findings did not reveal any significant changes in energy levels, heart rate, or heart rate variability. The study used a single-group, within-subject pre-post design, meaning each participant's mood, brain activity, and heart rate measurements were taken before and after exposure to the coffee aroma.
While the study suggests a link between coffee aroma and mood improvement, the lack of a control group prevents definitive conclusions about the cause of these changes. Further research is needed to determine if the observed effects are specific to coffee aroma and their physiological implications.
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