Approximately half of Americans start their day with the energizing power of coffee so why not integrate it into your morning workouts? According to Ori Hofmekler, author of The Warrior Diet and Unlocking the Muscle Gene, there are benefits to drinking coffee before a workout. His research has shown that coffee can increase your metabolism by up to 20% and provide other functional benefits such as improved circulation, pain reduction, muscle preservation, improved endurance and memory. This is due in part to the natural caffeine content that the coffee plant produces. Caffeine itself is recognized as a safe sports performance supplement when taken within the recommended dosing. But caffeine alone is different from coffee. Referring back to our blog post for national caffeine awareness month, isolated caffeine is often lab created and complete devoid of the thousands of natural compounds found in coffee (or tea) as well as the synergy between them. Therefore, it’s best to rethink taking a caffeine supplement over a cup of coffee.
There are other points to consider as well:
- If you load your coffee full of milk, cream, sugar or artificial sweeteners then you would be eliminating any health benefits. Drink it straight up.
- Decaffeinated coffee is not recommended because most of the antioxidants are lost during that process.
- Choose certified organic coffee.
- If schedule allows, opt for whole beans so you can freshly grind them as needed.
- Drink your coffee approximately 1 hour before your morning workouts for maximum benefits.
As always, it’s best to consult your physician before starting or changing your diet and exercise regimen.