A little coffee and a girl's full of beans
Some say it prevents cancer, stimulates memory and provides a much-needed pick-me-up. Now, a study suggests, coffee also may hold the key to boosting a woman's sex drive.
Scientists say caffeine lifts the female libido by stimulating parts of the brain governing arousal.
Real coffee addicts, however, may miss out on the buzz.
The aphrodisiac power seems to work only on those who do not drink coffee regularly.
Dr Fay Guarraci, a psychologist who led the study at the Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, says understanding the circuits that control this behaviour will help scientists understand how the brain works and what part of the brain mediates motivation and sexual behaviour.
In the study, to be published in the Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behaviour Journal, Dr Guarraci and her team gave a moderate dose of caffeine to 108 female rats and monitored behaviour.
Those given the stimulant before mating with a male partner displayed an increased sexual appetite and were more likely to scurry back for a second session than those not given caffeine.
Dr Guarraci says the effects produced appear to go beyond a simple burst of energy.
"The behaviour was specifically directed at a sexually active partner, a male rat, rather than a social partner, a female rat," she says. "In humans, it might enhance the sexual experience only among people who are not habitual users."
Coffee drinker Domenique Szantyrzo, 20, yesterday said she may have to give up her regular caffeine hit and replace it with the "occasional" one. Friend Brett Scholz, 21, said coffee would be on the menu for his next romantic date.
"We'll have to make the switch to decaff and save the real coffee for special occasions," he said.
Adelaide accredited practising dietitian Nadia Mastersson yesterday said although the study may be good news for rats, human studies are needed to see if results were the same.
"What we do know is that in humans, caffeine can increase alertness, mood changes and sleep difficulties," she said.
Caffeine levels in coffee, tea and cola have been linked with increased blood pressure and higher risk of stroke.
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