Espresso, macchiato, americano, or cappuccino: coffee is certainly the favorite drink of Italians. On average in Italy 3 to 4 coffees are drunk a day. Many people drink it even before exercising because it works as a natural energizer. Is it the truth? Let’s find out With KissAnime how caffeine works.
HOW CAFFEINE WORKS
Caffeine is the secret ingredient that gives coffee this energizing power: this substance stimulates the nervous system and increases the production of noradrenaline in the brain, giving a boost to performance. That’s what we need after a sleepless night or to combat the afternoon bumble. Coffee reaches its maximum effects 30 minutes after drinking it.
THE EFFECTS OF COFFEE ON OUR BODY:
- It is rich in antioxidants and therefore strengthens the immune system.
- After drinking coffee, your body temperature rises because caffeine promotes thermogenesis, which in turn speeds up your metabolism by burning more calories.
- It temporarily raises blood pressure and therefore is not suitable for people with high blood pressure because caffeine speeds up the heart rate and dilates blood vessels. If the coffee is too strong, some people may have palpitations as well. But if the blood pressure is normal, this drink is not bad for the heart.
- It dilates the bronchi and makes us breathe better, thanks to caffeine.
- It also acts as a diuretic because it increases blood flow in the kidneys (which is why you go to the bathroom more often after coffee).
- The caffeine, acids, tannins, and bitterness of coffee also stimulate peristalsis (contractions of the intestinal muscles that cause evacuation). When consumed on an empty stomach, it can awaken sluggish intestines.
- According to some studies, caffeine also has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used in some medicines (such as those to treat migraines).
DOES COFFEE ALSO IMPROVE ENDURANCE?
Black coffee is considered a natural stimulant by fitness enthusiasts and a study published in the Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism revealed the effects of consuming coffee before endurance training (running or cycling): in 5 out of 9 cases they are Significant improvements have been identified. Furthermore, caffeine seems to reduce the perception of fatigue and promote breathing. Black coffee can therefore really improve performance but there is no evidence that it has a positive effect on improving muscle strength.
Good to know:
Coffee is a stimulant and does not count in the recommended daily fluid intake.
BEFORE TRAINING: IT IS THE QUANTITY THAT MATTERS
So how many cups of coffee should you drink before going for a run or a workout? One is enough and you shouldn’t drink more than 3 coffees a day because, if drunk in larger quantities, it could cause problems for the body.
You also need to find out if coffee is for you because some people with stomach problems can’t overdo it.
