Shoppers should avoid coffee as it increases impulse buying.
A new study has revealed that those who drank a cup of caffeinated coffee before a shopping spree spent around 50 per cent more money and purchased 30 per cent more items than those who drank water.
The international study saw researchers carry out experiments in large retail stores that are adding coffee bars near their entrances.
Lead author Professor Dipayan Biswas, from the University of South Florida, said: “Caffeine, as a powerful stimulant, releases powerful dopamine in the brain, which excites the mind and the body.
“This leads to a higher energetic state, which in turn enhances impulsivity and decreases self-control.
“As a result, caffeine intake leads to shopping impulsivity in terms of higher number of items purchased and greater spending.”
The study found that caffeine also influenced the type of items shoppers bought, with those who drank it purchasing more non-essential items such as scented candles.
