Can coffee help you train longer and harder?

Caffeine is one of the most researched substances reported to help athletes perform better and train longer and harder. As a result, sportspeople often take it as a performance-enhancing “ergogenic” aid. Studies have also shown that coffee can be used as an alternative to caffeine to improve running performance. Similarly, drinking energy drinks containing caffeine before exercise can improve mental focus, alertness, anaerobic and endurance performance. But drinking coffee isn’t like taking a measured dose of caffeine. The amount of stimulant in a cup will depend on the blend of coffee and how it is brewed. It is commonly held belief that caffeine is a diuretic that will lead to dehydration. But a number of studies have shown that this isn’t the case with moderate amounts of coffee, which help keep you hydrated like any other drink.

posted Monday February 26th