Contrary to popular belief, current research suggests that caffeine is not a diuretic and does not cause dehydration.
The US military has done extensive research on caffeine and dehydration and has found that consuming about 100mg/day of caffeine does not increase urine output.
Caffeine may improve performance for endurance athletes (like marathoners and cyclists) and speed endurance athletes (like soccer and hockey players).
And as most of us already have experienced, caffeine can delay fatigue and improve mental sharpness. Most exercisers improve their performance by about 12% when using caffeine, however these benefits were only seen for those participating in longer bouts of exercise.
Short exercise (8-20 minutes) is not as affected by caffeine and sprinters experienced no benefit. The benefits are greater for those who do not regularly consume caffeine and have not built up a tolerance to its effects.
There are risks involved with caffeine consumption. Some people will experience side effects such as anxiety, nausea, rapid heartbeat, gastrointestinal distress and insomnia.
Don't forget, caffeine is an addictive substance. When you build up a tolerance to caffeine, the benefits are minimized and withdrawal from caffeine can cause headaches and irritability.
How much is too much?
The amount of caffeine tolerance a person has depends on the individual, but if you are regularly consuming upwards of 500- 600 mg of caffeine per day, it may be time to scale back.
8 oz brewed coffee: 60- 150mg
Energy drink or bar: 200 or more mg depending on the size and brand
Caffeine pill: 100- 200mg
Soda and tea: 40- 60mg per cup
1 oz caffeinated gel (like Gu): 20mg
Over the counter pain relievers: Varies (check the label)
Over consumption of caffeine can lead to restlessness and sleep deprivation. If you think you need to cut back on your caffeine consumption, do so gradually to avoid any side effects of withdrawal.
First, avoid any caffeine later in the day then start to cut out one serving of caffeine per day.
Tips:
Caffeine is absorbed quickly in the body and peaks in the blood about 1-2 hours after consumption. Aim to consume caffeine about 1 hour prior to a workout to gain the most benefit.
Keep in mind that black coffee has zero calories but a 16 oz frappuccino has 470 calories and is full of unnecessary sugars.
Even a chai tea latte has about 250 calories. So if you're taking in the caffeine to help you in a workout, you might be doing more harm than help. Caffeine has not been shown to aid in weight loss.
If you have any additional questions regarding caffeine consumption and physical activity or have another nutrition topic you would like addressed, please contact our me at nutritionawareness@meganwarerd.com or visit my website at http://meganwarerd.com.
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