Caffeine and Exercise

Whether you are an avid coffee or espresso drinker or just the occasional sipper, you need to know exactly how caffeine affects your workout. There is a lot of mixed opinion out there about the benefits and drawbacks of caffeine. It is important, like any other advice, to research and make sure you know your body. Before you load up on that cup of coffee, be sure you know exactly what’s in it! For a pre workout ramp up, a study in Australia recently found that runners who drank just eight ounces of coffee improved their times in 5k by 10-12 seconds. Scientists believe that caffeine helps to stimulate the muscles, which helps to offset heat related fatigue. Many studies have also found that caffeine helps with endurance sports. Some scientists believe that caffeine helps to speed up the transport of glucose to the muscles. Other studies have also shown a link to caffeine consumption and the reduction of pain during workouts. This does not mean that you don’t feel pain, it’s just to say that caffeine may help to reduce the amount of pain you feel. This allows you to go longer and harder, with less feelings of pain. So how about that after workout cup of coffee? Another study from Australia found that the muscles primary source of fuel, glycogen, is replenished by both carbohydrates and caffeine after a high-intensity work out. This is not to say you should down many cups of coffee after a workout, but if you want to have a cup after your workout it might not be that bad after all. You should remember though that caffeine is a diuretic, which means that it can help to dehydrate you. Be sure to double up on the water intake when you drink any form of caffeine. Be careful coffee drinks can be hidden calorie traps. Be sure to order your drink with non-fat milk, and if you enjoy flavors-get sugar-free, they are zero calories. Opt for the Grande instead of the Venti, then fill a Venti glass half full of ice and pour your Grande into it, and you will have a Venti, in essence!