Coffee for Athletes: How It Can Boost Performance
Athletes are no strangers to the idea that you are what you eat. Many athletes work hard to maximize every calorie, eating a diet balanced just the right way so they can see greater results on the field or in the gym.
However, this doesn’t mean that gym rats and sports enthusiasts don’t still enjoy small comforts like a morning cup of coffee. That said, could this morning cup of coffee actually increase athletic performance? Read on to learn what the science says and how to enjoy coffee before a workout.
How Can Coffee Support Athletic Performance?
Ah, coffee — the magical brew that gets us through every busy morning, late night, and everything in between. Is it really any wonder that drinking coffee can actually support athletic performance? Here are some of the top reasons coffee might take the award for “Best Gym Buddy.”
Supports Feelings of Energy
This might be the most obvious benefit of drinking coffee before a workout, but it’s the most important nonetheless. Coffee contains caffeine, which can stave off tiredness and help you feel more energetic, opens in a new tab.
This compound works by interacting with the central nervous system, which is in charge of releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Combined, the release of these hormones can help you feel a jolt of energy.
That said, it’s important to keep in mind that coffee doesn’t actually increase energy. Caffeine simply delays feelings of tiredness. It’s like taking out a loan of energy from your future self, and you’ll end up repaying the debt with more sleepiness later on.
Encourages Focus
Many people feel foggy, scattered, and a touch confused in the mornings. When we’re asked about it, many of us simply chalk it up to not having had our morning cup of coffee.
There is actually some science behind this phenomenon. Caffeine can encourage mental alertness and focus and even affect reaction time, opens in a new tab, helping athletes think quickly while in a game.
Supports a Healthy Metabolism
Being a good athlete isn’t just about practicing techniques or building muscle. It’s also about supporting your metabolism so that your body is functioning as optimally as possible. This might not seem related to athletic performance, but it’s just one small piece of the bigger puzzle.
Drinking coffee can help support a healthy metabolism by encouraging healthy blood sugar levels. However, it’s worth noting that this effect has only been seen with long-term consumption — short-term coffee consumption can actually raise blood sugar levels.
Encourages Weight Loss
Generally, becoming good at a sport will require you to be in good shape. You’ll need muscles that are conditioned to the movements you’re making and you’ll need a balanced weight (depending on what sport you play).
Some studies have shown that drinking coffee can encourage the body to burn fat, opens in a new tab, especially for people who already have a generally healthy weight. This can be especially helpful for athletes like wrestlers or bodybuilders, who may need to quickly lose fat for an event.
Supports Cardiovascular Health
If you’re an endurance athlete like a runner, swimmer, or cyclist, you already know the importance of cardiovascular health. Your blood carries oxygen all over your body, ensuring that your muscles have what they need to perform well.
Drinking coffee can support long-term heart health, opens in a new tab by encouraging healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It can also support healthy heart rhythms.
Encourages Long-Term Health
Coffee contains antioxidants, which are substances that contain extra electrons. These substances can neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are highly unstable because they are missing electrons. They can cause damage throughout the body as they try to stabilize themselves. Unfortunately, our bodies create more free radicals when we exercise, opens in a new tab.
Free radical damage, also called oxidative stress, can have many short-term and long-term effects on our health. It can also contribute to serious health conditions that may prevent athletes from even playing at all, let alone performing well on the field.
Can Mushroom Coffee Support Athletes?
Our Mushroom Coffee+ contains coffee extract, which can provide the above benefits. However, our blend takes things a step further. Our mushroom coffee also contains lion’s mane mushroom to support gut health and focus, chaga for immunity and antioxidant support, and L-theanine, opens in a new tab to encourage clear thinking. All of these are important for an athlete who needs to be at the top of their game.
Enjoying our mushroom coffee is as easy as pie. All you need to do is add our mushroom extract powder to some hot water or coffee, and you instantly have a delicious and convenient treat. You can also add it to your pre-workout shake, overnight oats, or post-workout smoothie.
The Bottom Line
Athletes work hard both on and off the field. In fact, being a good athlete is just as much about what happens off the field as what happens on the field. One surprising way that people can condition their bodies is by drinking coffee.
Drinking coffee can support energy, focus, and even cardiovascular health. To learn more about the benefits of coffee and mushrooms, visit the Everyday Dose blog, opens in a new tab today.
Sources:
Caffeine | Better Health Channel, opens in a new tab
Is caffeine a cognitive enhancer? | PMC, opens in a new tab
Effects of coffee consumption on glucose metabolism: A systematic review of clinical trials | PMC
Impact of Coffee Consumption on Cardiovascular Health | PMC, opens in a new tab
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