We asked our West Hartford Connecticut personal trainer what his take is on the consumption of coffee.
Americans are the biggest consumers of coffee. Approximately 83% of Americans drink the beverage, and the amount of coffee we consume is staggering: according to some studies, we drink around 146 billion cups each year.
But coffee sometimes gets a bad rap.
Contrary to what you might think, he provided a number of benefits to drinking America’s favorite beverage. Like anything else, however, balance and moderation are always key. Too much of anything is never good.
According to our personal trainer in West Hartford, Connecticut, one of the benefits of drinking coffee, before a workout, is that it should improve one’s workout performance. According to some studies, the boost of caffeine that you get will increase the number of fatty acids in the bloodstream. This in turn will allow muscles to absorb and burn those fats as opposed to glycogen. Also, it has been shown that the high amounts of caffeine in black coffee can increase your metabolism. Our personal trainer in West Hartford Connecticut says that affeine and other compounds in coffee can work as an appetite suppressant, allowing you to consume less throughout the day. For anyone on a food plan that is restrictive in any way, this could be good news.
Our West Hartford Connecticut personal trainer cited a couple of studies…
…that show that caffeine will allow athletes to train at a greater output and for a longer duration. The caffeine gives you a jolt that will allow you to have more power in your workout.
Improved focus after coffee consumption is another benefit our personal trainer in West Hartford Connecticut mentioned in our discussion. Keeping you focused on a tough workout will cause you to continue to be productive and to experience gains, and reach your goals.
“Even still,” says our West Hartford Connecticut personal trainer, “there are a lot of studies out there that conclude that there is a decrease of muscle pain with the consumption of coffee. The caffeine can speed the body’s reaction to medications additionally.” One study showed that two cups of coffee can cut post workout muscle pain by almost 50%.
So, less perceived pain is always a benefit for exercisers; you will feel less soreness, thereby allowing you to work out soon after, instead of waiting more time than you want to.
Improved circulation is another advantage to drinking coffee prior to a workout. One study showed a 30% increase in blood flow (for people who drank caffeinated coffee) over a little over an hour period compared to those who drank decaffeinated coffee.
“So, there are benefits to drinking coffee both before and after a workout,” says our West Hartford Connecticut personal trainer. “The best way to take your coffee, of course, is black with no sugar. Make sure you understand the evils of sugar. Plain, unadulterated black coffee is low in fat and calories.”
Also, he says, you still need to drink your water! Though the myth that coffee dehydrates your body is untrue, you still should limit your coffee and caffeine intake to a few cups a day or a couple hundred milligrams of caffeine a day. Coffee does act like a diuretic (it increases urination), but it has not been shown to dehydrate those who drink it.
Some other benefits to drinking coffee are that it can cause a protective factor against certain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes and liver cancer, and may decrease the risk of depression.
There are a couple of downsides to consider when you’re drinking your morning Joe. Our West Hartford Connecticut personal trainer advises that coffee could be a gastric irritant for individuals with sensitive stomachs, and too much caffeine will increase the amount of stomach acid which can cause to a greater risk of stomach ulcers. In addition, pre and post food consumption is important as well.
Also, know your body. If you are new to coffee drinking start out with only one cup. Your body must get used to the stimulant effects of caffeine.
Furthermore, increased acid reflux and heartburn can occur in coffee drinkers due to the acids in coffee and the way it relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter. If you have concerns, always speak with your medical professional.
By the way, ever heard of gluteal amnesia? This may be something you’ve suffered from and not even know it.
