Coffee, so much controversy for one little bean! If people all throughout the world start their day with it, coffee's health benefits must have some merit, right? Today, studies agree that if you are a good metabolizer of coffee, it may benefit your workouts! Let's take a look at the science and how adding black coffee to your daily routine could help boost your workout performance.
4 Ways Black Coffee Can Benefit Workout Performance
- Improve weight loss when you drink before engaging in exercise. The high amounts of caffeine found in black coffee can help boost metabolism without the added side effects many workout supplements are associated with. Compounds found in coffee called chlorogenic, a type of polyphenol can help naturally suppress appetite in a way that may allow you to improve meal spacing. Researchers continue to study this plant compound to determine if it can be isolated for those that may have a difficult time metabolizing caffeine from black coffee, but want to receive the benefits geared toward weight loss. When we drink coffee before working out instead of storing fat as glycogen, we will burn it for energy.
- Improve overall exercise performance. Coffee is a reliable ergogenic aid- this means that exercise performance can be improved by drinking coffee just before or during working out. Studies show that sprinters run faster, and workouts may be sustained longer. Current research continues to examine coffee timing- just before or during workouts- turns out, it is likely individual specific. We'll keep a close eye on the research for you.
- Less workout discomfort. Studies show that compared to those who worked out consuming decaffeinated beverages, those drinking coffee before a workout experienced less muscle pain and fatigue throughout their workout. This may result in your ability to perform a higher number of reps as well as being able to run faster throughout cardio training sessions.
- Prevent muscle loss as you age. Aging gracefully is not simply about vanity, but strength, agility and the ability to stay healthy through working out. Researchers at Coventry University found that drinking coffee helped improve core strength specifically in the diaphragm region associated with breathing and healthy skeletal muscle.
How do I know if coffee is healthy for me during a workout?
Really it comes down to genetics and other health concerns you may be experiencing. Studies show that your genes do determine how well you metabolize caffeine. If you have questions about adding coffee to your workout schedule, please consult your health care providers before doing so.
