high-pressure meeting at work have coffee

Next time you have a high-pressure meeting at work, keep an eye on what goes into your colleagues' cups. 

Drinking coffee improves women's brainpower in stressful situations – but sends men into meltdown, according to a study.

While sipping a cappuccino or downing an espresso boosts women's performance when working with others, the same drinks impair men's memories and slow their decision-making.

And given that Britons get through some 70million cups of coffee a day, the implications are significant, say the researchers.

Psychologist Dr Lindsay St Claire said: 'Many meetings, including those at which military and other decisions are made, are likely to be male-dominated.

'Because caffeine is the most widely consumed drug in the world, the global implications are potentially staggering.'

And given that Britons get through some 70million cups of coffee a day, the implications are significant, say the researchers.

Psychologist Dr Lindsay St Claire said: 'Many meetings, including those at which military and other decisions are made, are likely to be male-dominated.

'Because caffeine is the most widely consumed drug in the world, the global implications are potentially staggering.'

They also took an average of 20 seconds longer to complete the puzzles than those on the decaffeinated coffee. 

But women completed the puzzles 100 seconds faster if they had been given caffeine, the Journal of Applied Social Psychology reports.

Previous studies have suggested that coffee may provide protection against diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, liver damage and gout.