Health Benefits Of Coffee After Working Out
Coffee is often advertised as being unhealthy but when it comes to working out and recovering properly, coffee can be a great way to not only enhance your performance but aid in quick post workout recovery. Coffee consumption has been linked to many health benefits and there is evidence to suggest that drinking coffee after a workout can help in muscle recovery and even help with dehydration.
Before we answer the question of whether it is good to drink coffee after a workout, one needs to understand how coffee affects the body during workouts and how it can help in muscle recovery. It should come as no surprise that caffeine boosts the performance of athletes during workouts as it has been used for centuries as a performance enhancing drug. Caffeine has been found to increase energy expenditure, which makes for improved exercise performance. It has also been found that caffeine can help to decrease fatigue, resulting in more intense workouts. Caffeine can be especially useful for endurance athletes such as long distance runners who need to have sustained energy for their task.
How Drinking Coffee After Working Out Aids Muscle Recovery
In addition to performance enhancement, coffee can also help with muscle recovery after workouts. Studies have shown that caffeine can help to reduce muscle soreness. Caffeine can help reduce pain associated with exercise by up to 48% which helps with functional recovery. Another benefit of consuming coffee after a workout is an increased production of glycogen which helps with muscle repair and recovery.
The Pros And Cons Of Drinking Coffee After Working Out
There are some pros and cons to consider when it comes to drinking coffee after a workout. One of the main pros is obviously the potential performance and muscle recovery benefits but there are also potential cons that need to be taken into consideration. One of these is the potential for dehydration. For example, a cup of coffee contain 1/ 10th of an ounce of caffeine as opposed to a cup of water which contains nearly an ounce. Therefore, if you are drinking coffee after a workout, it is even more important to make sure you are drinking enough water to stay hydrated.
Other potential cons include the fact that caffeine can be addictive and can cause feelings of anxiety and jitters in some people. Furthermore, for those that already have very high blood pressure, drinking coffee after a workout could lead to an elevated risk for heart disease. Therefore, it is important to discuss any potential risks with your doctor prior to consuming coffee after a workout.
Should You Drink Coffee After Working Out?
Based on the research, it is safe to say that drinking coffee after a workout can offer some performance enhancing and muscle recovery benefits. However, it is important to remember that everyone’s body reacts differently to caffeine, so it is important to be mindful of your own individual response when it comes to incorporating coffee into your post-workout routine. It is also important to remember the potential downsides such as dehydration and the potential for addiction. Therefore, it is important to discuss any potential risks with your doctor prior to consuming coffee after a workout.
The Effects of Nitric Oxide After a Workout
Nitric oxide is an essential compound when it comes to post workout recovery. The compound helps to increase circulation, lowers blood pressure, and can help muscle regeneration after a workout. Studies have found that when combined with coffee, nitric oxide can even further enhance the performance enhancing and muscle recovery benefits. One example of a supplement that contains both coffee and nitric oxide is Bcaa coffee by Nitro Surge, which is designed to help the body workout more efficiently and for longer time periods.
Factors To Consider When Choosing a Pre Or Post Workout Coffee
When it comes to choosing a pre or post-workout coffee, there are a few factors to consider. First and foremost, you should consider the caffeine content. The amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee can vary greatly depending on the type of coffee bean that is used and the preparation method. Therefore, it is important to make sure you know exactly how much caffeine you are consuming.
Next, it is important to consider the type of coffee beans that are used. In general, dark roast coffee has a higher caffeine content than lighter roasts. Additionally, organic and fair trade coffees have been found to have higher levels of beneficial antioxidants than non-organic and non-fair trade coffees. Therefore, if you are choosing to drink coffee as part of your post-workout routine, it is important to make sure you are getting high quality organic and fair trade beans.
The Role of Caffeine in Post-Workout Dehydration
Caffeine has also been found to play an important role in post-workout dehydration. Studies have shown that consuming caffeine during or after workouts can improve dehydration as caffeine promotes diuresis, meaning it increases fluid output from the body. Furthermore, caffeine has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce the effects of exercise-induced inflammation. This can help to speed up muscle recovery and reduce the amount of post-workout soreness.
Choosing The Right Coffee As Part Of Your Post-Workout Recovery Routine
When it comes to choosing the right coffee as part of your post-workout recovery routine, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, it is important to make sure you are getting high quality organic and fair trade coffee beans. Additionally, you should aim to consume coffee with a moderate to low caffeine content as to avoid the potential for addiction or jitters. Furthermore, if you are looking to increase the beneficial effects of coffee, consider drinking a coffee that has been enhanced with nitric oxide. Finally, make sure you are staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids in addition to your coffee.
