The court is still out, but the evidence so far is encouraging. For instance, one large Italian study found that coffee drinkers have a lower rate of asthma than non-coffee drinkers.
How Caffeine Can Fight Asthma
Caffeine is chemically similar to theophylline, a medicine often used to combat breathing difficulties caused by asthma. Like theophylline, caffeine helps relax and increases the size of the airway. It also helps fight muscle fatigue, which gives the body a chance to normalize. Caffeine might be able to reduce the risk of having an attack and can ease some of the symptoms of asthma, such as wheezing and coughing.
Caffeine and Asthmatics
Studies have shown that even “low” doses of caffeine equivalent to three cups of coffee have been effective in improving the lung function of asthmatics for up to four hours. One study published in 2010 found that a large dose of caffeine was as effective as albuterol in controlling asthma symptoms in adults who suffer from exercise-induced asthma, or EIA.
Study Limitations
With all this good news, why aren’t more doctors “prescribing” caffeine as a treatment for asthma? So far, the studies testing the effect of caffeine have been very small – most have had just around 10 people. Big clinical trials, on the other hand, can have tens of thousands of participants. With this small number, we don’t know if there are any risks, or if caffeine works better with some people than others. Also, none of the studies have looked at using caffeine as a long-term treatment for asthma. In other words, a lot of questions need to be answered.
Risks of Caffeine
Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses today. It is only natural that people look for treatment alternatives beyond conventional medicines. Keep in mind that, as with any treatment, caffeine is not without its risks – particularly at levels that are high enough to be effective for moderate to severe asthmatics. Side effects may include irregular heartbeat, trouble sleeping, jitters, stomach irritation, and unwanted interaction with certain prescription medicines. Consult a doctor before using caffeine as a potential asthma treatment.
Also, remember that having caffeine before a lung functioning test can skew the results. This, in turn, can affect what treatment your doctors give you, which can have a big impact on your health.
Sources
- Turner W et al. (2007). Carbonated drink consumption and increased exhaled nitric oxide in atopic children. European Respiratory Journal 30: 177-178. http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/30/1/177.long
- Kemper K, Lester, M (1999). Alternative asthma therapies: An evidence-based review. Contemporary Pediatrics 16: 162-195. http://longwoodherbal.org/articles/Asthma.pdf
- Welsh EJ, Bara A, Barley E, Cates CJ (2010). Caffeine for asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 1. http://davidklein.org/Caffeine.pdf
- VanHaitsma et al. (2010). Comparative Effects of caffeine and albuterol on the bronchoconstrictor response to exercise in asthmatic athletes. International Journal of Sports Medicine 31(4): 231-236. https://www.thieme-connect.com/ejournals/abstract/sportsmed/doi/10.1055/s-0030-1247592
- Pagano R, Negri E, Decarli A, La Vecchia C (1988). Coffee drinking and prevalence of bronchial asthma. Chest 94(2): 286-389. http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/94/2/386.short
Estela Kennen - Estela is a doctoral student in Public Administration and a freelance writer and editor.
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