Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Methylxanthines, including caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline, are a class of compounds found in coffee, tea, and chocolate. There is scientific evidence that methylxanthines affect mitochondrial function, primarily through their role as adenosine receptor antagonists and phosphodiesterase inhibitors. These mechanisms can increase intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels, which in turn may influence mitochondrial biogenesis and energy metabolism. Studies have shown that caffeine can enhance mitochondrial respiration and protect against mitochondrial dysfunction in both cellular and animal models. For example, research published in Cell Reports (2017) demonstrated that caffeine promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and function in skeletal muscle through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) pathways. However, most evidence comes from preclinical studies, and robust clinical trials in humans are limited. While the cellular data is promising, the translation to meaningful mitochondrial support in the context of human health and disease requires further investigation. Thus, the use of methylxanthines to support mitochondrial function is supported by a moderate level of scientific evidence, but more human studies are needed for definitive conclusions.

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