subject: How Coffee Improves Exercise [print this page] Do you want to look fit? Surprisingly, you may be able to do this with the help of coffee. Researchers say drinking coffee can be a great addition to your pre-exercise regimen because this beverage has many health benefits. These include delaying muscle fatigue and keeping you focused and energetic. But don't down huge amounts of coffee yet. Large intakes can cause sleep problems, headaches, irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure in people who are sensitive to caffeine.
The link between fitness and coffee is sure to make the average American adult happy since he drinks 3 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per kilogram (kg) of body weight daily. A recent survey likewise revealed that 33 percent of British track and field athletes and 60 percent of British cyclists consumed caffeine to increase performance.
In what way can drinking coffee help athletes? For years, researchers thought that caffeine burned fat quickly. While this has never been proven, they believe it acts on several body systems - not only the muscles. Others say that caffeine, through the central nervous system, lowers the perception of pain or effort. For people who cant miss their morning fix of caffeine, this chemical can boost alertness and mood which makes them perform better.
With this in mind, how much coffee should one consume to feel its benefits? Experts say the proper dose of caffeine for better performance is about 5 to 6 mg per kg of body weight. But effects may vary on each individual and the degree of caffeine consumption.
So if you intend to visit your local coffee shop before your next run, be sure you've been drinking coffee during training. But don't overdo it. Too much caffeine can make you jittery and nervous - factors that may impair your performance. Its also worth mentioning that caffeine can help empty the digestive system - something you don't want to happen during a race.
