Scientist develops caffeinated doughnuts

  • Thread starter Evo
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Scientist
In summary: There is just absolutely no need to contaminate doughnuts or other baked goods with caffeine. Caffeine is actually good for you, as long as you don't have pre-existing heart conditions. It can decrease the build up of cholesterol.
  • #1
Evo
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
24,017
3,338
There is just absolutely no need to contaminate doughnuts or other baked goods with caffeine.

There seems to be some kind of caffeine craze in this country right now. I just don't think it's a good thing.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070126/ap_on_fe_st/buzz_doughnuts
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Finally! This is what I have been waiting for! It is an opportunity to combine two addictions into one.

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/9093/droolfy5.gif
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #3
Evo said:
There is just absolutely no need to contaminate doughnuts or other baked goods with caffeine.

There just seems to be some kind of caffeine craze in this country right now. I just don't think it's a good thing.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070126/ap_on_fe_st/buzz_doughnuts

Have you heard how healthy it is :smile: apparently the myth about it being bad for you only applies to those with pre-existing heart condtions. It only seems to raise blood pressure in those who aren't used to it, it's a bit like asparin. The world of the caffeine haters is actually a fantasy or not as relevant as we thought. It's been shown that caffeine can actually decrease the build up of cholesteral.

http://www.newscientist.com/channel...offee-protect-your-liver-against-alcohol.html

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/health/dn9280-drinking-coffee-makes-you-more-openminded.html

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/health/dn8328--decaffeinated-coffee-may-be-harmful-to-heart.html

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg18825213.900-daily-dose-of-coffee.html

Coffee: The demon drink?NS magazine: I'm afraid this one is unavailable atm, but it's a real eye opener.
Decaffeinated coffee may have a harmful effect on the heart by increasing the levels of a specific cholesterol in the blood, researchers say. Their explanation is that caffeine-free coffee is often made from a type of bean with a higher fat content.

Robert Superko, at the Piedmont-Mercer Center for Health and Learning in Atlanta, Georgia, US, and colleagues looked at the effects of coffee on 187 people. The group was split into three similar-sized groups for the three-month study: one group drank three to six cups of caffeinated coffee per day; one drank three to six cups of decaffeinated coffee per day; and a control group drank no coffee. US coffee drinkers drink an average 3.1 cups of coffee per day.

The researchers analysed blood samples from the groups before and after the study to determine the levels of cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) in the blood – key indicators of heart disease risk.

To their surprise, the researchers found the decaffeinated group had experienced an 18% rise in NEFAs in the blood and an 8% rise in apolipoprotein B – a protein associated with a cholesterol linked to cardiovascular disease. This was not seen in the other two groups.

“I believe it’s not caffeinated but decaffeinated coffee that might promote heart disease risk factors,” Superko says. “The heart risk is not great – the fatty acids can be burned off easily by exercising. But someone with high-cholesterol, who drinks four or five cups of decaffeinated coffee a day, might want to think about cutting down.”
Healthy option?

When the researchers analysed the coffees used in the study, they found that the caffeinated and decaffeinated coffees were made from a different bean. The decaffeination process extracts the compounds that give coffee flavour, so it is often made from a stronger flavoured bean, called Robusta. Caffeinated coffees are usually made from a bean called Arabica.

“The chemical composition of the two beans is very different. Robusta contains a much higher content of fats, called diptenes, which stimulate fatty acid production in the body,” Superko told New Scientist.

“The coffee industry is selling more and more decaffeinated coffee because people think it’s healthier, but if you have high cholesterol, it may not be.”
Not so simple

However, the team also found changes in another type of cholesterol called HDL2, high levels of which are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. Although the average level of HDL2 did not differ between the three groups, it did change significantly within the decaffeinated group depending on the participants’ weight, as represented by their body mass index (BMI).

Overweight people – with a BMI of more than 25 – saw their HDL2 increase by 50%, whereas those with BMI less than 25 showed a drop in HDL2 of about 30%. “It is not a simple story of one type of coffee being good and the other bad,” Superko says. “Those who are overweight but have normal apolipoprotein B levels might consider the potential benefit of drinking decaffeinated coffee over caffeinated coffee.”

A spokesperson from the British Heart Foundation cautions that the study was quite small and short-term. “It is too soon to draw any firm conclusions about the use of coffee to reduce risk of heart disease,” she said. “And the study examined the effects of drinking three to six cups of coffee daily, so it is not relevant to those people who enjoy a coffee once or twice a day.”

The research was presented at the American Heart Association Sessions 2005, held in Dallas, Texas.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #4
Evo said:
There is just absolutely no need to contaminate doughnuts or other baked goods with caffeine.

:rolleyes: You're aware that there's already caffeine in chocolate, right? So, chocolate doughnuts are already caffeinated. :biggrin:
 
  • #5
Caffeine in doughnuts!? That's crazy! Next thing you know, they'll start putting pot in brownies!

Nah...
 
  • #6
Moonbear said:
:rolleyes: You're aware that there's already caffeine in chocolate, right? So, chocolate doughnuts are already caffeinated. :biggrin:
I'm going to kick anyones ass who says chocolate is bad, because it's a mood enhancer and because it's like catnip. :-p :smile: :wink:

And tea for that matter, we have fought wars over it before, and may well do so again, caffeine is the drug of the nation: that and TV as Ice Cube once said, it kinda replaced the opiate of the masses :smile:
 
  • #7
Geeze chocolate on a caffeinated doughnut plus coffee. Too many nervous edgy people getting even more jittery from too much caffeine.

I'm one of those people that don't feel the effects of caffeine.
 
  • #8
Wow, it took them that long to figure out how to put caffeine in doughnuts :biggrin:

I always say:
Tea: the drink of the gods
Coffee: well you get the idea
 
  • #9
Archon said:
Next thing you know, they'll start putting pot in brownies!

Now there's a good idea :biggrin:
 
  • #10
Evo said:
Geeze chocolate on a caffeinated doughnut plus coffee. Too many nervous edgy people getting even more jittery from too much caffeine.

This should really improve people's moods during morning rush hour, don't you think? :biggrin:

But, hey, you have to admire someone who has the nerve to rebel against conformity and work on developing a way to make a doughnut even less healthy than they already are rather than trying to make them more healthy. I mean, once they get rid of all those trans fats, what other point would there be to eating them if they can't be caffeinated? :smile: And, I'm sure all those people who need a morning caffeine boost, but don't like coffee are applauding this great advance in doughnutology! Afterall, a can of Coke just doesn't go all that well with doughnuts. Now you can enjoy a glass of milk with your doughnut and still get your daily requirement of caffeine. It's pure genius! :biggrin: :devil: *cackles in an evil genius sort of way*
 
  • #11
Caffeinated milk. You know it's next. :eek:
 
  • #12
Evo said:
Caffeinated milk. You know it's next. :eek:

Would that involve genetic modification of cows? Caffeinated from the source.
 
  • #13
Evo said:
Caffeinated milk. You know it's next. :eek:

Excellent idea! Quick, patent it before someone steals your idea! It's brilliant, just brilliant! :biggrin:
 
  • #14
Kurdt said:
Would that involve genetic modification of cows? Caffeinated from the source.

:rolleyes: I don't think I want to try milking caffeinated cows. :bugeye:
 
  • #15
Coming soon: Caffeinated Baby Food :biggrin:

Interesting aside: Some dark, leafy, green vegetables are an excellent source of nicotine.

Edit: Caffeinated milk is an excellent idea!
 
  • #16
Evo said:
Caffeinated milk. You know it's next.
Moonbear said:
Excellent idea! Quick, patent it before someone steals your idea! It's brilliant, just brilliant! :biggrin:
Too late! Public disclosure disqualifies one from patenting an idea!

If someone wants to patent something - do not mention it in the public domain before applying for the patent.
 
  • #17
Uh oh, we better delete that before anyone sees it Evo! :biggrin: Actually, I think you have a year from the time of public disclosure, but we can always patent the process for caffeinating milk (that's going to be a bit tougher to work out though).
 
  • #18
Evo said:
Caffeinated milk. You know it's next. :eek:

Next? I just had some this morning. I sure do love latte.

It has even become an artform.
latteart001.jpg

http://www.latteart.nl/img/gallery/etching_08.jpg http://www.latteart.nl/img/gallery/etching_14.jpg http://www.latteart.nl/img/gallery/etching_11.jpg http://www.latteart.nl/img/gallery/NKLA2005_10.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #19
In a related story, the productivity of America's police force increased three-fold overnight.
 
  • #20
D H said:
Next? I just had some this morning. I sure do love latte.

It has even become an artform.

http://www.latteart.nl/img/gallery/NKLA2005_10.jpg
[/URL]

Aww...the one with the bunny face is so cute!

deerhake.11 said:
In a related story, the productivity of America's police force increased three-fold overnight.

:smile:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #21
Yuck. :biggrin: My coffee has to be black. And the cup has to be small.

Edit: regarding the patent, I officially stole it right now. Will let you know when I make all those millions.
 
  • #22
"Each piece of pastry is the equivalent of about two cups of coffee." -- ... Don't people sometimes sit down and have 2 donuts? Good luck functioning with 4 cups of coffee in you!

On the other hand, I love coffee, but not this mocha frappa cappa whatever stuff some sissies drink.. :biggrin:


Just kidding. :smile:
 
Last edited:
  • #23
dontdisturbmycircles said:
On the other hand, I love coffee, but not this mocha frappa cappa whatever stuff some sissies drink.. :biggrin:


Just kidding. :smile:

That's the spirit, circles! :cool:

(P.S. I know you're not kidding. :devil: :-p )
 
  • #24
dontdisturbmycircles said:
"Each piece of pastry is the equivalent of about two cups of coffee." -- ... Don't people sometimes sit down and have 2 donuts? Good luck functioning with 4 cups of coffee in you!

What's wrong with 4 cups of coffee? My giant mug for morning coffee already holds the equivalent of 3 cups. And, when I make my mocha cookies, which include instant espresso in the recipe, they go really well with that giant mug of coffee. :biggrin: However, it might be a bit much if I sat down with my mug of coffee and 2 doughnuts...though, Ivan might still be a bit under-caffeinated (he's the one who drinks coffee by the pot, not the cup). :bugeye: :eek:
 
  • #25
Can't they just make coffee that doesn't taste bitter instead? I wouldn't mind drinking it if it had a taste other than "ewwww".
 
  • #26
SticksandStones said:
Can't they just make coffee that doesn't taste bitter instead? I wouldn't mind drinking it if it had a taste other than "ewwww".

They didn't really bother with that because there's this substance called sugar that's been known about for quite a few years and that tends to take the bitterness away. :smile:
 
  • #27
Moonbear said:
:rolleyes: You're aware that there's already caffeine in chocolate, right? So, chocolate doughnuts are already caffeinated. :biggrin:

Actually, no. Chocolate contains mainly theobromine which is not caffeine. If caffeine is present in chocolate, it is in far less significant quantities than theobromine. But theobromine (cacao), theophylline (tea) and caffeine (coffee) all belong to the pharmacological class of methylxanthines, which have broadly similar effects on intreacellular cAMP levels and adenosine receptors. They have different potencies, somewhat different effects and toxicities, and hence their utitlity in medicinal use and abuse are different.

BTW,

Caffeine = 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine

Theobromine = 3,7-dimethylxanthine

Theophylline = 1,3-dimethylxanthine
 
  • #28
Kurdt said:
They didn't really bother with that because there's this substance called sugar that's been known about for quite a few years and that tends to take the bitterness away. :smile:
Sugar just covers up the taste until you get the after-taste which makes me want to vomit.
 
  • #29
SticksandStones said:
Sugar just covers up the taste until you get the after-taste which makes me want to vomit.

Yes I must admit I find some blends have a detrimental after effect on ones breath and assault the olfactory senses.
 
  • #30
Moonbear said:
What's wrong with 4 cups of coffee?

http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/images/smilies/hmmrun.gif <-- me after 4 cups of coffee.

Radou said:
That's the spirit, circles!

lol :biggrin:
 

FAQ: Scientist develops caffeinated doughnuts

What are caffeinated doughnuts?

Caffeinated doughnuts are doughnuts that have been infused with caffeine, a natural stimulant found in coffee, tea, and other plants. This means that they contain caffeine in addition to the usual ingredients found in doughnuts, such as flour, sugar, and eggs.

How is caffeine added to the doughnuts?

There are a few different methods that can be used to add caffeine to doughnuts. One method is to mix caffeine powder into the dough before it is baked. Another method is to inject caffeine into the doughnuts after they have been baked. The exact method used may vary depending on the specific recipe and preferences of the scientist developing the doughnuts.

What are the potential benefits of consuming caffeinated doughnuts?

The main benefit of consuming caffeinated doughnuts is the added caffeine boost. Caffeine is known to increase alertness, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function. This can be especially beneficial for those who need a quick energy boost in the morning or during a long day of work or studying.

Are there any potential risks or side effects of consuming caffeinated doughnuts?

As with any food or beverage that contains caffeine, there are potential risks and side effects of consuming caffeinated doughnuts. These may include increased heart rate, jitters, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. It is important to consume caffeinated doughnuts in moderation and be aware of your personal tolerance for caffeine.

Is there a limit to how much caffeine can be added to doughnuts?

Yes, there is a limit to how much caffeine can be added to doughnuts. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set a limit of 71 milligrams of caffeine per 12 ounces of soda. This limit may be used as a general guideline for other caffeinated food and beverages, including doughnuts. However, the exact amount of caffeine in caffeinated doughnuts may vary depending on the recipe and serving size.

Similar threads

Back
Top