Coffee, for physical endurance and athletic performance in Pampa, TX? It sounds too good to be true, but everyone’s favorite caffeinated beverage can help boost your physical performance and even increase your calorie burn by up to 4 percent.

How caffeine affects the body

Caffeine is a stimulant that’s absorbed through the stomach. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to metabolize caffeine, and it stays in the system for three to six hours before the levels drop. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system as well as boosts the heart, muscles and blood pressure—you’ll feel more awake and ready to move.

It can also increase your body temperature and activate the fat-burning process, which increases the number of calories you burn. Finally, it may help you avoid your muscle’s carbohydrate storage, thanks to the increased fat burning, which helps with endurance exercise.

Here’s a closer look at how caffeine impacts different kinds of exercise:

• High intensity: Scientists can’t quite agree on the effects of caffeine upon high-intensity exercise, but it seems that it may help boost performance of trained athletes. If you’re a regular gym-goer, you may find that it helps, but if you’re active on a casual, more recreational basis, you likely won’t see significant results.
• Endurance: Caffeine can help endurance, and in some cases, it may be even more effective than consuming carbs. One study showed that it changed the way runners perceived effort, so that they were able to exert themselves more than those who didn’t consume the stimulant.
• Strength: If you drink caffeine before a strength workout that targets major muscle groups, or uses repetitions and circuits, you’ll probably notice a slight boost in your performance. Otherwise, you’ll merely enjoy the benefits of being awake and focused.

To maximize caffeine’s effect on your workout, supplement about an hour before you begin. Everyone’s natural sensitivity and caffeine tolerance is different, so start with a lower dose (150 to 200mg, or one-and-a-half to two cups of coffee) and see how you feel. If you don’t notice any benefits right away, gradually increase your consumption to 400 to 600mg. (If you experience side effects such as jitters, nausea, anxiety, insomnia or rapid heart rate, reduce consumption.)

If you regularly consume significant amounts of caffeine, you probably won’t see as marked of an effect as those who only drink caffeine before workouts. It’s also important to check in with your doctor periodically to make sure your caffeine use isn’t having any deleterious effects on your health.

For many of us, the news that coffee has benefits for physical endurance and athletic performance in Pampa, TX is a reason to celebrate—we’ll take any excuse to drink more coffee!

For a happier, focused and energetic business or office, you can’t beat the convenience and quality of Armstrong Coffee Service. We supply premium-quality coffee and brewing equipment on a regular schedule, letting you provide a welcoming environment to both employees and customers. Call us today to discuss your coffee supply options, and enjoy a more active workday.