Contrary to popular belief, drinking coffee does not counteract the effects of alcohol, according to a new study. The opposite is true, in fact -- coffee may make it more difficult for drinkers to know when they are drunk.

The study, conducted by researchers at Temple University, utilized mice as subjects. Mice who received doses of both alcohol and caffeine did become more alert but still exhibited impaired judgment and learning, such as an inability to avoid things they should have known would hurt them.

Thomas Gould, Ph.D., study-co author commented: "The myth about coffee's sobering powers is particularly important to debunk because the co-use of caffeine and alcohol could actually lead to poor decisions with disastrous outcomes.

"People who have consumed only alcohol, who feel tired and intoxicated, may be more likely to acknowledge that they are drunk. Conversely, people who have consumed both alcohol and caffeine may feel awake and competent enough to handle potentially harmful situations, such as driving while intoxicated or placing themselves in dangerous social situations."

(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)

Labels: alcohol, caffeine