Drinking coffee before workout

Drinking coffee before workout

Drinking coffee before workout

We all like to start our day with a coffee. As it keeps us awake, fresh, and works like a head start for our day. Most people have this habit of hitting the gym in the morning or doing workouts in the morning. And most people think that drinking coffee prior to a workout boosts their performance. And the question now is, “Is it ok to drink coffee prior to the workout?” 

Most of us even consume coffee during the workout or after the workout. But is it really good to do so? What are the effects of drinking coffee? Do we have positive effects or negative effects? Or should we consume it some other time? Don’t get tensed, we got you covered. 

Pros and cons of drinking coffee before workout?

Pros of drinking coffee before workout:

1. Enhanced performance

It is proven that drinking coffee before workout can make your workouts more effective. It is observed that coffee increases your endurance, strength, and cardiovascular abilities. 

2. Improved cognitive function

Coffee is associated with cognitive functioning. It helps make your brain calm, more attentive, and focused. Having more attention to detail and having a good influence on your workout too.

3. Better weight loss regime

Coffee is known to increase metabolism. And increasing metabolism can have a positive role in your weight loss regime. It helps oxidize your fat and help you burn your fat faster.

Cons of drinking coffee before workout:

1. Stomach upset

If you are already prone to acid reflux, then coffee isn’t your beverage. Coffee takes time to get digested and is often reported to cause acid reflux in many people. Apart from that drinking coffee on an empty stomach can cause stomachache and digestive problems too. 

2. Insomnia and anxiety

Coffee is known to keep you active for longer periods of time, and consuming more caffeine can have negative effects on your mental health. It disturbs your sleep cycle and the quality of sleep you get. Drinking coffee on a regular basis and consuming more caffeine can cause insomnia and anxiety issues.

3. Caffeine overdose

Caffeine overdose is a rare issue, but when caused can be severe. It is caused when too much caffeine is consumed, and caffeine tolerance levels vary from person to person. So, you need to make sure about the caffeine content in the beverage you are drinking, you know the caffeine content by looking at the label.

Is coffee a good pre workout?

Yes, coffee can be a good pre-workout drink for many people due to its caffeine content. Caffeine content increases your alertness and keeps you active and energized. Coffee is also shown to increase metabolism and also help in fat burning. However, the effectiveness of coffee on workout varies from person to person. People who are sensitive to caffeine face it hard to consume and get some negative effects such as acid reflux, digestive problems, anxiety issues, sleep problems, and more. 

But you also need to consider that consuming coffee and its effectiveness on your workout is based on the time you consumed it. Consuming it right before your workout won’t help you with anything. Consuming it before an hour can help absorb the caffeine content in your body and helps you perform better at your workout. 

How long does it take for coffee to kick in?

The time it takes for coffee to kick in can vary depending on a few factors, such as the individual's metabolism, the amount of coffee consumed, and the strength of the coffee. Generally, it takes about 20 to 30 minutes for caffeine to start affecting the body, but some people may feel the effects sooner or later than that. The peak effects of caffeine are usually felt around 30 to 60 minutes after consumption. It's worth noting that caffeine can stay in the system for several hours, so the effects may last for a while.

Take Away

Drinking coffee prior to the workout can be totally your choice. Drinking coffee is beneficial for many people as it brings them a better workout session. However, it is not suitable for a few people. And always make sure that you drink your coffee at least 45 minutes before starting your coffee session, and consult your healthcare provider immediately if you find any difficulty after starting the coffee.

FAQs

Is it okay to exercise after coffee?

No, you should at least give a gap of 45 minutes to 1 hour after drinking coffee to start your coffee. 

How long before gym should I drink coffee?

It’s usually one hour before you need to drink the coffee before you hit the gym. And then you can get its benefits.

Is black coffee a good pre work out?

Yes, when black coffee is consumed before working out, it converts fat cells into energy, helping you have a better workout session and also with your weight loss management too.

References

Should you drink coffee before your workout? By Healthline, Mar 30, 2021.

What are the pros and cons of drinking coffee before a workout? By Medical News Today, Sep 30, 2021.

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