Yup, you read that correctly. This month, we celebrate International Coffee Observance Day and the NVL celebrates the affects of coffee on athletic performance! According to Active.com, coffee has the ability to help athletes train harder for longer periods of time. Caffeine stimulates the brain, making it easier to concentrate on tasks and think more clearly. But don’t overdo it – The NCAA states, “When consumed in moderate amounts of 200-300 milligrams per day in the form of food or beverages (equivalent to about two 8-ounce cups of brewed coffee), it is considered socially acceptable and safe.”
Caffeine is known to be an athletic enhancement performer, increasing alertness, muscle power, reaction time and endurance while simultaneously decreasing muscle fatigue, or at least the perception of muscle fatigue.
Coffee has the ability to reduce your perception of pain during training, meaning you are less likely to tire out when practicing. This can be both good and bad. It’s great in that you can squeeze in one or two last reps before throwing in the towel. While it is great that you can reap more benefits from your average workout, it is also important that you listen to your body and respond accordingly. Overtraining is the perfect way to pull a muscle before a big game. Be sure to stick to the recommended amount of one-two cups of coffee. It is also proven to reduce the amount of post-exercise pain by up to 50%.
Perhaps one of the most celebrated benefits of black coffee on athletes is its ability to burn calories. Coffee can cause fat cells to be used as an energy source as opposed to glycogen. Coffee contains magnesium and potassium, which helps the human body use insulin, regulating blood sugar levels and reducing your craving for sugary treats and snacks as well.
But with the good, comes the bad. Here are some things to watch out for:
- Coffee can cause insomnia and restlessness: If you are sensitive to caffeine, you may opt to drink something like green tea instead. Coffee can cause insomnia which will work against you while prepping for a tournament.
- You can overdose: Overdosing on coffee can actually kill you! So don’t exceed 80-100 cups in a short period of time (we don’t suspect you will).
- Stick to one cup a day if pregnant: There is a lot of controversy over this topic, but one thing we know for sure is that coffee will reach the fetus, and babies are ultra-sensitive to coffee.
- Bad coffees can be toxic, filled with impurities that can cause headaches, anxiety, nausea and more. Find a reputable company that services high-quality.
