CoffeeDrinkers-PerkUp

CoffeeDrinkers-PerkUp! Apparently there is good reason for coffee drinker to perk up as it seems their daily dose of Joe might not be such a bad thing after all. There have been rumblings for several years now about the possible benefits of coffee. Today it's been all over the news that up to six cups of coffee a day not only won't hurt you, but is actually good for you. This revelation after a 20 year study of male and female coffee drinkers. That might explain why many athletes have long believed that coffee drinkers will actually perk up physically and perform better.Most of us link coffee with caffeine and the buzz and lift it gives us as we make our way through our busy lives and indeed it does seem that coffee drinkers perk up on a more regular basis than those who abstain. However, it has been found that coffee might also contain beneficial antioxidants that help fight off the free radicals that invade our bodies on a daily basis. In the study it was found there was a lower incidence of heart disease in those involved in the study when compared with national averages.

Even this coffee lover would be hard-pressed to put back 6 cups of coffee a day even if it is true that coffee drinkers are perked up by this practice. My personal take on it is to enjoy a cup or two(or maybe 3)of your favorite coffee per day, and not go over-board. I'm sure like with most things in life that offers any semblance of enjoyment, moderation is the key.

It does bring up an interesting point however. Like the pro triathlete who insisted on his 2 or 3 cups of strong, black coffee every morning before his Ironman race. I remember two years in a row when he finished 6th overall in Ironman Canada. Makes you think there is something in it.

Also, caffeine is a banned substance when it comes to Olympic athletes, so that in itself might tell you that there is some validity to the fact that it might harbor some advantage for the athlete. Of course I don't think a few cups of coffee is enough to get you into "hot water" but caffeine pills might.

I have tried coffee myself before 10 KM races in the past and did find that I got a bit of a boost from it in the early going of the race, and others report that it was a big help to their endurance and drinking coffee does indeed perk them up physically as well as mentally.

Just thought I would pass this on, because like the egg, it seems like all the bad press for coffee is coming to an end. I would say enjoy your coffee, but use good judgment and not over-do it as most likely even the coffee drinker who enjoys a single cup of coffee a day will feel a bit perked up. As far as incorporating jolts of strong coffee into your race morning preparations, I would strongly recommend testing it out in training first. Some people have adverse effects from coffee and although it may perk some coffee drinkers up, there are others it may not agree with and is best avoided on race day. Home Page