When it comes to caffeine and working out, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions. Some people believe caffeine dehydrates you and should not be consumed before or during a workout. Others think that caffeine gives you energy and can help improve your performance. So, what is the truth? Is caffeine good for athletes, or does it have adverse effects?
In this blog post, we will explore the effects of caffeine on athletes and answer these questions!
One of the main reasons people turn to caffeine is because it gives them an energy boost that helps them get through their daily tasks. And if you work out, there's a good chance you've noticed that caffeine has a similar effect on your exercise performance. You feel more energized and alert when exercising on caffeine. But what exactly is happening in the body to produce this effect?
Most folks probably know that taking caffeine before a workout can help get you moving and perhaps make exercise easier.
Caffeine is one of the most widely used stimulants in the world, so it's no surprise that scientists have learned quite a bit about how it affects athletic performance.
Caffeine has been shown to increase alertness and energy levels, improve attention span, boost metabolism by as much as 3-11%, reduce fatigue during exercise, improve reaction time and enhance endurance in athletes who regularly consume it.
It's also common knowledge among athletes that drinking coffee or tea with your pre-workout meal can help fuel your muscles before they are fully broken down by intense training sessions or competitions where the mental focus is critical to success!
So how does caffeine have those effects?
Caffeine is a stimulant. It works by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain, which causes your heart rate to increase and blood pressure to rise. This results in more adrenaline and dopamine production. In turn, these hormones can increase fatty acid production and blood flow to the muscles.
All of this combined results in an improvement in exercise performance because caffeine allows you to perform at a higher intensity for extended periods, so your body doesn't wear out as quickly!
Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors in the brain.
Adenosine is a neurotransmitter that acts as a brake in the body, slowing down activity and reducing pain perception. It's also responsible for the drowsiness we feel when we're tired or sleep-deprived.
Caffeine's ability to block adenosine receptors makes it an effective performance-enhancing drug. It allows us to fight off fatigue and increase energy levels, which helps us push through exercise challenges with more strength.
Increases the production of adrenaline and dopamine.
Adrenaline and dopamine are hormones that are released in response to stress. Adrenaline helps the body respond to stressful situations, while dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure. Caffeine triggers the release of both adrenaline and dopamine.
The effects of caffeine on adrenaline and dopamine can be seen in competitive athletes, who experience an increase in both when they consume caffeine before exercise or competition. One study found that this increase resulted in better performances during cycling time trials. At the same time, another showed that cyclists could push harder for more extended periods after consuming caffeine.
Caffeine also stimulates your production of fatty acids.
You may have noticed that when you're feeling sluggish, one of the first things you do is reach for a cup of coffee or tea. The caffeine in these drinks stimulates your central nervous system and increases blood flow to your muscles. But there's actually more going on than just that.
Caffeine also stimulates your production of fatty acids. These are the primary fuel source for low-intensity exercises like walking, which makes them a key to enhancing performance during endurance activities like running or cycling. Not only do fatty acids provide energy right away, but they also help form new muscle cells and liver cells.
This is an important point. Remember that before you begin to exercise, your body has a lot of fat stored. When you're exercising at low to moderate intensities (not sprinting), the body prefers using these fats as fuel because they're more efficient than glucose or other carbohydrates stored in your muscles.
So, even if you're not pouring sweat like crazy or doing any kind of intense workout, caffeine can still help you out by increasing fatty acid oxidation in your body and delaying fatigue during your workout!
Stimulates fat metabolism
Caffeine may be the answer if you're looking for a way to get more out of your workouts. Caffeine has been proven to help people exercise better by increasing energy levels, stimulating fat metabolism and boosting adrenaline, dopamine and fatty acids.
Caffeine can be particularly effective before exercising at low to moderate intensities (like walking). However, it should not be used by people with heart problems or high blood pressure.
Conclusion
Caffeine is one of the most popular dietary supplements in the world, and for a good reason. This can help you improve your workouts and boost energy levels and mental focus safely and naturally.
Now that you know how caffeine works, what are you waiting to give it a try? Check out Lyger Coffee's Americano and Latte here!
Sources:
https://greatist.com/fitness/coffee-before-workout
https://www.eatright.org/fitness/sports-and-performance/fueling-your-workout/caffeine-and-exercise
https://science.howstuffworks.com/caffeine5.htm
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-does-caffeine-affect