Coffee

[RidingSeed]

Does it affect performance(strength/endurance) in the long run? I've been a coffee drinker for quite some time now and recently I've been feeling weakened. I'm pretty healthy so I blamed it on the coffee. I don't have any problems sleeping or anything, but I just wondered, could that be the cause?

 

[Alpechraxler]

Coffee can mess with your Iron uptake.

 

[RidingSeed]

And bad Iron uptake can result in weakened immunity system/endurance, right?

 

[usedtobefast]

everything can mess with your system. do what works for you. we all breath the same air, but we process it differently. Air, that's the key,eh?

 

[RidingSeed]

everything can mess with your system. do what works for you. we all breath the same air, but we process it differently. Air, that's the key,eh?

Actually we don't breathe the same air. Living in the countryside is fairly healthier than living in a busy city filled up with cars.

And I would do what works for me, but I don't know if coffee does, that's why I asked, actually.

 

[Archibald]

coffee, or the caffeine, is a stimulant and is performance enhancing.
Shouldn't be weakening you unless it's wearing off. Perhaps in the same way as an insulin rebound effect after high sugar loads are consumed...
also has a laxatative effect in certain quantities, as well as being a diuretic.

It does enhance your ability to burn fat too.

 

[King Boonen]

If you are worried about interactions then the best thing to do is drink water when you eat. Only drink coffee between meals, not straight after.

I'm a big coffee drinker (and tea) and I get horrible headaches around 5pm on days when I haven't had a few cups. Slowly trying to wean myself of it but in my line of work it isn't easy...

 

[DanielsDad]

Does it affect performance(strength/endurance) in the long run? I've been a coffee drinker for quite some time now and recently I've been feeling weakened. I'm pretty healthy so I blamed it on the coffee. I don't have any problems sleeping or anything, but I just wondered, could that be the cause?

How many mg do you take? I noticed in the office (decades ago) I used to drink any cups. I'd say I was likely over 500mg a day. I also road to work and did about 1,000 / month. I was in my 20s. I felt fine.

Now in my 50s I limit myself to some great homemade espresso in a La Pavoni. I drink about 100mg. I also feel tired and don't ride much.

My son uses on shot (35mgish) before a race. Otherwise no coffee.

 

[JayKosta]

I limit my coffe to 2 cups in the morning, with de-caf tea later in the day if I want a hot drink.
Not recovering quickly could be part of natural aging. Be sure that you are getting enough rest and sleep between hard exercise days / sessions.

I suggest you slowly reduce the amount of caffine you ingest prior to sleep.
Getting headaches from reducing coffee is a common problem (withdrawl symptom).

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

 

[hiero2]

The short answer is yes. Coffee and caffeine can interfere with your performance. Whilst caffeine is a stimulant, as noted, it is also, as previously noted, a diuretic, and it changes your metabolism.

The diuretic impact could be making you tired. Insufficient hydration does make you feel tired. It could be the caffeine messing with your blood sugar levels when you are at a . . ., I forget how it is referred to at the moment, but your daily peaks and valleys of energy. For instance, drink a cup of coffee first thing in the morning, and if you normally experience an energy low around noon, the caffeine can increase that impact. I'm NOT saying it DOES, it doesn't for most people, but it CAN. It does for some people. Just how your body responds.

The best way to figure it out is to change what you are doing. Don't drink the coffee first thing. Wait until just before you start into that energy valley. Make sure you drink PLENTY of water. Try carrot juice or another juice blend. Try green tea - very little caffeine, but still hot and satisfying.

I've hit on a routine of mostly hot green tea. I save the coffee for when I really need the caffeine jolt.

You might also want to be aware of how much caffeine you truly consume. Don't forget that most sodas have tons, as do energy drinks. Guarana is caffeine (frequent ingredient for soda and energy drinks). Iced tea is made with black tea, which is higher in caffeine than green and adds to the total.

I had a friend who got nasty headaches when the doc made him cut the caffeine. He didn't think he was drinking much, until the doc added it up for him. One cup coffee, a coke or two before lunch, iced tea with lunch - with refill, etc etc . . .

 

[weiruanfor2013]

Long-term use of coffee, I think it will affect the body, forcing the body to work, not sleep. From a health standpoint is a better choice.
hygetropin