Caffeine Trauma

B

Beth1

Cathlete
Anyone else read that having coffee (caffeine) before working out is not a good thing as it constricts full blood flow to the heart? This actually depresses me, I can't tell you how much I look forward that one cup at 4:45 before I work out. Anyone know anthing about this - really hoping someone will have read something contrary. I mean, I really love having that coffee in the morning.
Karen
 
I wonder how much you have to drink before it becomes a bad thing?? Your one cup, or two?? I know that we really shouldn't have caffeine at all....but I can not function without at least one cup of some kind of caffeine in the morning! I try not to have anymore during the day, but that one cup is just a necessary thing.

Donna
 
I've read that caffeine (coffee or green tea) can have beneficial affects when taken before a workout because it helps boost the metabolism and fat burning. There are bad things in coffee besides caffeine (which isn't as bad as the acids in coffee), so I'd go with tea.
 
What this study said was that after giving some cyclists a 200 milligram pill of caffeine and others a placebo - tests showed blood flow restriction to the hearts of the caffeinated cyclists.
I also have read that caffeine is good for pre-workouts because of the fat burning - energy boost it gives, also that caffeine helps your body to use glycogen rather than protein to fuel your muscles. That's why this was so depressing to me. Maybe I will just take half a cup - go with moderation. Cause I agree - I really want that boost in the morning.
 
>What this study said was that after giving some cyclists a
>200 milligram pill of caffeine and others a placebo - tests
>showed blood flow restriction to the hearts of the caffeinated
>cyclists.

I'm always wary of experiments that isolate one particular thing, or that give subjects substances in forms that they normally wouldn't take them. It does prove, I suppose, that taking a 200 mg caffeine PILL restricts blood flow.

And since teas have less than this amount of caffeine, they might not have the same effect as coffee might. And EGCG (epigallo- something-or-other) which is found in green tea (but not in coffee) is supposed to help with fat burning.
 
Your one cup o joe in the morning is fine. I highly doubt that is going to cause any issues. I always have my morning coffee and workout just fine. I would think that refer to more of an excess. Moderation is key, folks.


Live with sincerity, love with passion, and dance like you mean it.

Debbie
 
Well let's see. I've been exercising seriously for 17 years (OMG!) and have had a cup of coffee before every single workout. I'm 38 & have never felt better in my life.
 
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have newly discovered the magic of coffee before exercise. First morning a few weeks ago when I had real coffee (not decaf)I was amazed in the difference in my energy/attitude endurance levels. Not that they were bad before but just a bit better - so reading that was too depressing. I would think that after 38 years you might have noticed if there was a problem. Caffeine trauma over, cup of coffee and StepWorks (first time) in the morning. Again, thank you.
 
For every study that says caffeine is bad before a workout, there is one that says it is good.

Relax...enjoy it in moderation! As long as you are not drinking coffee all day long, I am sure you are fine!
 
Yeah, I read that in Men's Health. But I have also read zillions of times that caffeine before a workout inproves performance since it helps release energy for the workout. I also recently read that decaff increases bad lipids levels in the blood, but then it is recommended for those who suffer extreme anxiety, etc.

Take what you read with a pinch of salt. Most will not apply to you if you are in good general health. I tell you, it's enough to make you into a hypochondriac.

Drink your coffee, enjoy your workouts, live your life!
 
Eeek. This is the worst part of reading health study alerts, since they're on every news page from Google to BBC. Lewis Black did this great bit during one comedy performance... "First they tell you that coffee is bad. Then they say, 'No, coffee is GOOD." Then it was, 'Eggs are bad.' Then, 'Eggs are good.' Then, 'No the whites are good but the yolks are bad." (and so on).

The way I see it, if you stick to the '3 servings or less a day' rule, you're probably fine. And if a cup of coffee makes the difference between making it to the gym or blowing off a workout, then coffee is definitely GOOD.
 
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