RESUMO
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of coffee consumption on salivary cortisol (sCort) and alpha amylase (sAA) in young adults. Materials and methods: Sixty healthy university students, habitual coffee consumers, participated in this descriptive observational study. Participants were divided into three groups: G1 low consumption (≤ 2 cups of coffee per day, n = 20), G2 moderate consumption (2-5 cups of coffee per day, n = 20), and G3 high consumption (>5 cups of coffee per day, n = 20). Saliva self-collection was in the morning (6:30-7:30 AM) and at night (08:00-09:00 PM). sCort was analyzed using chemiluminescence and sAA activity by kinetic method. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using Student's t-test and analysis of variance. Results: The sample consisted of 30 women and 30 men, aged between 20 and 35 years. In all groups, sCort values were higher in the morning (AM 0,29 ± 0,19 vs. PM 0,09 ± 0,05 µg/dl, p < 0.0001). In contrast, sAA levels were higher in the night (PM 160,16 ± 60,42 vs. AM 32,79 ± 12,98 U/ml, p < 0.0001). No significant differences were detected, in the contents of Corts and AAs, between the groups. Conclusion: : Coffee consumption, in non-stressful conditions, did not alter levels and patterns of sCort and sAA in young adults.
RESUMO
Salivary cortisol secretion (Corts) is an individual adaptation reflex to internal / external stressors, which involves several biological and social factors. The aim of this study was to perform a review on variations in Corts concentrations in relation to biological differences of sex and gender socialization in the different stages of human development. MEDLINE / PubMed and Google Scholar were used to search for scientific evidence. 20 original English-language articles published from 2010-2020 were selected, including clinical trials and observational studies. The relationship between Corts and gender was historically discussed considering evolutionary and biological aspects. However, it cannot be explained as a cause-effect view and depends on unique sociocultural factors, which in sensitive periods of human development alter the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and condition coping with stress.