Caffeine May Boost Workout Benefits

Caffeine May Boost Workout Benefits

By Dr. George Traitses

Half of Americans and 55% percent of Canadians consume coffee in the morning, and paired with exercise this habit may help super-charge weight loss.  In a Spanish study published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, athletes who consumed at least 4.5 mg of caffeine per kilogram of weight burned 15% more calories for three hours following a workout versus those who took a placebo. “For 150-pound woman (68 kg), that’s roughly 300 mg of caffeine, the amount in about 12 ounces of brewed coffee, a quantity you may already be sipping each morning,” writes Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, on Foxnews.com. Other studies have shown caffeine consumption increased blood flow, reduced perceived post-workout muscle pain and improved memory.

All of this good news comes with a word of caution, of course-water should remain your go-to beverage, stick to caffeine that occurs naturally (like in coffee and tea), and don’t overdo it.  “The maximum amount of caffeine recommended for enhancing performance with minimal side effects is up to 6 mg per kg body weight, which is about 400 mg per day (or about 16 ounces of coffee) for a 150-pound woman,” Sass writes.
Source: “5 Reasons You Should Drink Coffee Before Your Workout,” by Cynthia Sass, Foxnews.com, June 24, 2014.

Dr. George Traitses, 416-499-5656, www.infinite-health.com