Well...it goes against all previous thought. Coffee is actually good for you when you are training.
Yeah you heard me. GOOD. FOR. YOU.
Coffee is a stimulant which can have positive effects on your mental ability when you are having one of those days at the office. BUT its also good for those hours AFTER exercise. See I bet you thought I was going to suggest taking it during or before exercise for a boost.
Taking a cup of coffee (and it has to be the one with caffeine) with dinner will help your body recover the carbs into your muscles Glycogen stores much more quickly. I read today that if you take coffee with food it will make your body metabolise the carbohydrates much more quickly than if you just ate normally. In fact, up to 66% more glycogen will be present in muscles if you have coffee with your meals.
So how does that help? Glycogen is used throughout the body for different things. When it is stored in muscles it is used entirely by that muscle alone, so there is no waste of energy being passed round your body. Its basically the fuel tank for your body. If your car had 66% more fuel would you be able to go faster and for longer in it? Your muscles work exactly the same.
I'm not saying everyone should drink coffee with food, but if you are suffering from muscle fatigue as opposed to tiredness it may help. If you also team it with simple carbs (white refined flour products instead of wholewheat/wholemeal) you should see a big improvement.
If you are in town, lets go have cakes and coffee! Honestly its all for training!
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