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Nutrition and Health (including climate and ecological aspects)

The influence of coffee consumption on bioelectrical impedance parameters: a randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial

Abstract

Background

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a widely used method for estimating body composition. Avoiding foods/beverages containing caffeine is a frequently enforced pre-test protocol to ensure reliability of BIA measurements. However, few studies have evaluated whether this is necessary, with conflicting results. We aimed to determine whether the coffee consumption differing in caffeine content influences BIA parameters in healthy adults.

Methods

Twenty-five healthy adults were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind cross-over trial. Three amounts of caffeine were given with 200 mL of coffee: 0 mg (11 g of decaffeinated), 200 mg (5.5 g of caffeinated plus 5.5 g of decaffeinated), and 400 mg of caffeine (11 g of caffeinated). BIA measurements were conducted at 6 different times, and coefficient variations (CV) explored.

Results

No differences were observed for group × time interaction on impedance, resistance, or reactance (p > 0.05). Values of BIA parameters increased after 30-min of coffee consumption, independently of the caffeine dosage (all p < 0.001). Body fat percentage followed the same pattern and increased after 45-min (p < 0.05). Median CV for consecutive impedance, resistance, and reactance measurements were >95%CI of expected device measurement error over 70-min, without difference between groups. Urine output volume was not different between groups (decaffeinated: 440.45 ± 197.57 mL; 200 mg: 471.80 ± 171.88 mL; 400 mg: 489.30 ± 204.10 mL, p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Coffee consumption influenced BIA-derived results after 70-min but was not related to caffeine content, likely due to water intake.

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Fig. 1: Study flowchart.
Fig. 2: Influence of coffee consumption with different doses of caffeine on bioelectrical impedance analysis parameters.
Fig. 3: Influence of coffee consumption with different doses of caffeine on bioelectrical impedance analysis derived results.
Fig. 4: Total urine output after coffee consumption with different doses of caffeine.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Nescafe Nestlé Canada for in-kind donation of the product. The company had no role in any aspect of the study.

Funding

The study was funded by Campus Alberta Innovates Program. JFM was supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq, n. 203886/2017–8) during the conduction of this study. JRBT was supported by the Brazilian Government through the Graduate Scholarship of CNPq and Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program supported by the Government of Canada.

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Contributions

JFM, CT, and CMP: designed the research; JFM and JRBT: product acquisition; GLO and CT: performed data collection; JFM: performed the statistical analyses; HL, JFM, and MCG: analyzed and interpreted the data; JFM and JRBT: wrote the first draft of the manuscript; CMP, CT, GLO, HL, and MCG: reviewed the manuscript, contributed to the discussion. All authors were involved in editing the manuscript and read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to João F. Mota or Carla M. Prado.

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Mota, J.F., Gonzalez, M.C., Lukaski, H. et al. The influence of coffee consumption on bioelectrical impedance parameters: a randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial. Eur J Clin Nutr 76, 212–219 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-021-00932-3

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