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Recommendations Summary

EE: Caffeine and Stimulants in Healthy and Non-Critically Ill 2014

Click here to see the explanation of recommendation ratings (Strong, Fair, Weak, Consensus, Insufficient Evidence) and labels (Imperative or Conditional). To see more detail on the evidence from which the following recommendations were drawn, use the hyperlinks in the Supporting Evidence Section below.

• Recommendation(s)

  EE: Caffeine and Stimulants in Healthy Adults

  The registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) should ensure that a healthy adult refrains from ingesting caffeine or other stimulants for at least four hours prior to a resting metabolic rate (RMR) measurement. Ingestion of caffeine and other stimulants in healthy adults increases RMR for longer than four hours.

  Rating: Fair
  Imperative

  • Risks/Harms of Implementing This Recommendation

    A four-hour abstinence from caffeine or other stimulants may be difficult for some individuals.

  • Conditions of Application

    • Clinical judgment should be used in applying this recommendation to healthy children and non-critically ill children and adults, due to no evidence in these populations
    • Refraining overnight from caffeine and other stimulants is advised.

  • Potential Costs Associated with Application

    If an individual consumes caffeine or other stimulant products within four hours prior to the RMR measurement, additional costs may be incurred because the measurement will need to be rescheduled.  

  • Recommendation Narrative

    EE: Caffeine and Stimulants in Healthy Adults

    • The six studies reviewed provide evidence in healthy adults that caffeine and other selected stimulants increase RMR for at least four hours. The duration of an increased RMR after ingestion of caffeine or other stimulants is unknown.
    • Research identifying the duration of elevated RMR after ingestion of caffeine and other stimulants is needed
    • Evidence is based on the following:
      • Three neutral-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (Arciero et al, 2000; Belza et al, 2007; and Greenway et al, 2004)
      • Two neutral-quality randomized crossover trials (Belza et al, 2009; Kamatsu et al, 2003)
      • One neutral-quality nonrandomized controlled trial (Yoshida et al, 1994).

  • Recommendation Strength Rationale

    Conclusion statement supporting this recommendation is Grade III.

  • Minority Opinions

    None.

• Supporting Evidence

  The recommendations were created from the evidence analysis on the following questions. To see detail of the evidence analysis, click the blue hyperlinks below (recommendations rated consensus will not have supporting evidence linked).

  How long should a healthy and non-critically ill individual refrain from consuming caffeine or other stimulants prior to an RMR measurement?

  • References

    Arciero PJ, Bougopoulos BC, Nindt, Benowitz NL. Influence of age on the thermic response to caffeine in women. Metabolism. 2000;49(1):101-107.
    
    Belza A, Frandsen E, Kondrup J. Body fat loss achieved by stimulation of thermogenesis by a combination of bioactive food ingredients: A placebo-controlled, double-blind eight-week intervention in obese subjects. Int J Obes (Lond). 2007; 31(1): 121-130.
    
    Belza A, Toubro S, Astrup A. The effect of caffeine, green tea and tyrosine on thermogenesis and energy intake. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2009; 63(1): 57-64.
    
    Greenway FL, De Jonge L, Blanchard D, Frisard M, Smith SR. Effect of a dietary herbal supplement containing caffeine and ephedra on weight, metabolic rate, and body composition. Obes Res. 2004; 12(7): 1,152-1,127.
    
    Komatsu T, Nakamori M, Komatsu K, Hosoda K, Okamura M, Toyama K, Ishikura Y, Sakai T, Kunii D, Yamamoto S. Oolong tea increases energy metabolism in Japanese females. J Med Invest. 2003; 50(3-4): 170-175.
    
    Yoshida T, Sakane N, Umekawa T, Kondo M. Relationship between basal metabolic rate, thermogenic response to caffeine, and body weight loss following combined low calorie and exercise treatment in obese women. Int J Obesity 1994;18:345-350.

  • References not graded in Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Process

    None.