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Acute Effects of Caffeinated Chewing Gum on Central Arterial Stiffness and Hemodynamics

Caffeine is widely consumed daily as a stimulant, ergogenic aid or performance enhancer. In addition to the traditional forms of caffeine consumption (e.g., coffee, tea and caffeinated soft drinks), alternative sources are becoming increasingly popular such as caffeinated tablets/capsules and gum. Caffeinated chewing gum offers rapid caffeine absorption and is commercially available. Although the acute cardiovascular effects of caffeine consumption from traditional sources are well documented, the effects of caffeinated chewing gum are unknown. Therefore, this double‐blinded, randomized, placebo‐controlled, crossover study sought to investigate the acute effects of caffeinated chewing gum on central arterial stiffness and aortic blood pressure, independent predictors of cardiovascular disease. Sixteen young (21±1 yrs, means±SE), male, light caffeine users, free of clinical disease, who did not use tobacco products, or medications participated in this study. Central arterial stiffness (carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity; cfPWV) and aortic blood pressures (systolic and diastolic blood pressure; aoSBP and aoDBP, and pulse pressure; aoPP) were assessed using SphygmoCor XCEL (AtCor Medical) on two visits, separated by at least one week. During each visit, vascular measures were obtained before, and 1‐ and 2‐hrs following consumption of caffeinated or placebo chewing gum. We found that cfPWV increased at 2‐hrs following consumption of caffeinated chewing gum (6.3±0.1 vs. 6.5±0.1 m·s−1; pre vs. 2‐hrs; P=0.017), but did not change after placebo (P>0.05). AoMAP and aoDBP increased by 6±2 and 6±1 mmHg, respectively, at 1‐hr following caffeinated chewing gum (P≤0.008) and remained elevated at 2‐hrs, but did not change in response to placebo (P>0.05). AoSBP, aoPP and heart rate did not significantly change in response to caffeinated or placebo chewing gum (P>0.05). In conclusion, caffeinated chewing gum acutely increases central arterial stiffness and aortic blood pressure in young healthy men. Future investigations should confirm these findings in women and examine whether the response is exaggerated in individuals who are hypertensive or have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.