From the Research
Effects of Caffeine on Adrenal Glands
- Caffeine consumption has been shown to affect the adrenal glands, with studies indicating that high doses of caffeine can impair maturation of the adrenal glands during puberty 1.
- The effects of caffeine on the adrenal glands differ between males and females, with female rats being more susceptible to damage based on changes in the microarchitecture of the adrenal glands 1.
- Caffeine can induce an endocrine imbalance that disturbs the establishment of the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis during puberty, leading to abnormal stress responses 1.
- Caffeine administration has been shown to increase basal adrenocorticotropic hormone levels, which may reflect decreased cortical function 1.
- In humans, caffeine has been shown to activate the pituitary-adrenocortical response, increasing plasma adrenocorticotropin and cortisol levels 2.
- Caffeine can also exaggerate sympathetic adrenal-medullary responses to stressful events, leading to increased blood pressure and heart rate 3.
- Repeated administration of caffeine can aggravate post-traumatic stress disorder-like symptoms in rats, inducing anxiety-like behavior and cognitive impairments 4.
- Caffeine has been compared to theobromine in terms of its effects on adrenal hypertrophy and social behavior in psychosocially stressed mice, with theobromine suppressing adrenal hypertrophy and inducing different behavioral changes than caffeine 5.
Key Findings
- Caffeine affects adrenal gland development and function, particularly during puberty 1.
- Caffeine induces endocrine imbalances and disturbs the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis 1.
- Caffeine activates the pituitary-adrenocortical response in humans, increasing adrenocorticotropin and cortisol levels 2.
- Caffeine exacerbates stress responses and can aggravate post-traumatic stress disorder-like symptoms 3, 4.