“Should I Drink Caffeine Before I Exercise?”

To drink, or not to drink caffeine before you exercise… that is the question.

The answer, though, is very interesting and now thanks to new research we seem to have conclusive evidence that debunks decade old recommendations.

It was once recommended that athletes and those trying to burn body fat consume a caffeinated beverage about 45 minutes before working out to improve their workouts. The caffeine enhanced your workout results by stimulating the nervous system and reducing perceived exertion so that you could push harder and exercise at a greater intensity level for a longer period of time.

However, after a new study was released in January it is now widely accepted that taking in caffeine before a workout can significantly reduce blood flow to your heart while exercising. There is an even greater risk for anyone with coronary artery disease or other heart conditions. It is also risky for those exercising in high altitudes to consume caffeine before working out.

The final piece to the puzzle is that caffeine is actually most beneficial for athletes to consume directly following their workouts when they have completely finished working out. At this time if they consume a caffeinated drink mixed with carbohydrates they will increase muscle glycogen uptake and potentially recover quicker from their workouts.

So to break it down, it seems that the stimulation you get from drinking caffeine before exercising does not outweigh the potential risk…

Sources: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (vol 47, pp405-410), Journal of Applied Physiology