Many athletes consider caffeine a legal and safe performance enhancer. Coffee is the biggest source of caffeine, and you can expect an average cup of coffee to produce more than 90mg of caffeine.
Although the NPR has confirmed that caffeine possesses performance-enhancing properties, it is not a banned substance by the World's Anti-Doping Agency.
But besides influencing performance, there are numerous other health benefits that runners can get from their morning cup of coffee.
Coffee Keeps You Healthy
Coffee is one of the world's most popular beverages. But what most people don't know is that this beverage is a big source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Antioxidants are natural molecules that protect our body cells from harmful free radicals that cause heart diseases, cancer, and other illnesses. Besides, coffee is especially beneficial for runners as it improves brain function like memory, vigilance, energy levels, mood and even improves reaction time.
Coffee Can Help You Run Faster
Coffee contains the world's most commonly consumed psychoactive ingredient__caffeine. Caffeine has been found to increase a runner's energy levels and make them feel less tired.
When you drink a cup of coffee, the caffeine is first absorbed into your bloodstream and distributed to the brain and other body parts.
You can also get coffee beans online.
Research shows that caffeine increases endorphin levels in the brain. If you know anything about endorphins, it's that they produce a runner's high, boost your mood, and alleviate pain and stress.
Caffeine also reduces a runner's levels of perceived exertion and increases endurance performance by approximately 24%. So you might want to take two or three cups of coffee before a run for that extra push.
Coffee Promotes Faster Recovery
Coffee can speed up your recovery process. Research shows that the caffeine and antioxidants found in coffee can increase the recovery of muscles.
American Physiological Society states that post-workout caffeine can promote muscle recovery. Ideally, to maximize the recovery benefits of coffee, you should consume it with carbs simultaneously.
The combination of carbs and caffeine allows for better muscle glycogen resynthesis. It also helps bring glucose from your blood into your muscles, essentially replenishing them in just about 4 hours.
Coffee Can Preserve Your Memory
Drinking coffee may be incredibly beneficial in preserving your memory. Alzheimer's is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by shrinking brain (atrophy) and memory loss.
Studies show that drinking coffee reduces the risks of Alzheimer's disease by approximately 65%. Runners should consider incorporating at least two to three cups of coffee into their daily routine.
Coffee Helps You Focus On The Run
Interestingly, caffeine stimulates your nervous system, activating fat cells to break down more body fat. The body utilizes the free fatty acids as fuel during exercise or running. It has also been found to increase adrenaline levels in your blood, preparing your body for physical exertion and helping you focus more on the run.
Enhances Your Mood After A Run
When consumed, caffeine acts as a stimulant in the central nervous system. Caffeine tends to improve your mood and help you feel more productive.
In a previous study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers concluded that women who consumed 2-3 cups of coffee daily experienced a 15% reduced risk of developing depression compared to those who drank 1 cup of coffee or less each day.
Coffee Can Help You Live Longer
Given that coffee lowers the risk of numerous health conditions such as heart diseases, stroke, depression, liver cirrhosis, Parkinson's, and more, it can indeed help you live longer.
Observational studies show that the risk of death for coffee drinkers is highly reduced. In two massive studies, the risk of death in men who drank coffee was reduced by 20%, while women saw a 26% decrease in death risks.
I am a proud coffeeholic, and I love writing and learning new things coffee-related.
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