Gum Arabica and Coffee Consumption Effects on Serum Melatonin Levels

Abstract

Caffeine intake reduces sleep quality and melatonin secretion, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep. Chewing gum increases alertness and improves concentration. This study aims to investigate the impact of coffee consumption and gum chewing on serum melatonin levels in a study population of 40 Jordanian subjects (mean age, 21.15±3.21 years), including 23 males and 17 females. A total of 40 participants volunteered and met the inclusion criteria and were divided into four groups; a control group did not consume espresso coffee and chewed gum during the study period, a second group consumed two cups of espresso coffee (240 ml), and the third group chewed Gum constantly throughout the procedure; finally, the fourth group consumed two cups of espresso coffee and chewed Gum constantly throughout the process. Melatonin serum levels were measured one hour before and one hour after the completion of the study; the duration was five hours. The findings revealed that the coffee plus chewing gum participants had the lowest serum levels of melatonin (13.1± 2.0). Among the intervention groups, the coffee group and the last group regarding melatonin levels were the chewing gum group, 15.3± 1.2 and 19.2± 2.2, respectively. In conclusion, Significant differences existed between the interventions and control groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, there were significant differences between coffee plus chewing gum and the coffee group and the chewing gum group (P < 0.002, P < 0.02, P < 0.004, respectively).