Black Coffee before Workout Burns Fat?
Working out helps us to stay fit and healthy in the long run. Having an extra boost before a workout is a good choice & there’s no other better option than a good old cup of coffee. Coffee is the most consumed drink after tea & water. Its higher caffeine content, antioxidants, and affordability make it ideal for boosting exercise performance.
A coffee to start your day
Ever wondered why do you feel active after drinking coffee? It’s the caffeine content that helps with that. Drinking coffee before exercising gives additional energy that helps reach your intended fitness goal. The immense health benefits coffee provides make them ideal for people of all age groups.
Drink at the right time
Once you have decided to include coffee into your workout plan, the next step is to know the right time to drink. It’s best to have coffee at least 45–60 minutes before working out. This helps the caffeine to get absorbed into your bloodstream.
But what about the quantity, there has to be a limit, right?
Yes, there is. An average cup of coffee contains roughly 100 mg of caffeine therefore, drinking 1–2 cups around 240–475 mL will provide you with enough caffeine for your day.
Types of coffee
Espresso shots are one of the best coffee types to try before workouts. They are less in volume & high in caffeine. Just having 1-2 shots i.e. 2 ounces or 60 mL consists of 130 mg of caffeine. Black coffee is another alternative for those on a strict diet as they have no carbs.
Adding milk makes the coffee taste better but contributes a small number of calories, protein, & carbs. Avoid coffee with added syrups & flavorings. Not only do they contain high calories, sugars that are hard to digest, but you also won’t get the desired result. Why risk it?
Consider the downsides
Even though coffee has several health benefits, there are some downsides too. During workouts, blood is redirected to the active muscle groups by our body. This slows digestion & cause problems for some people. Drinking coffee 45–60 minutes before exercising helps avoid such issues. Some people may be sensitive to caffeine which cause anxiety, & increased heart rate when consumed.
Anything in excess is not good for the body & the same goes for coffee. Up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is considered the tolerable limit for the average adult. However, this varies from person to person. Some may tolerate higher doses while others might get side effects just after drinking one cup of coffee. Some side effects include nervousness, stomach discomfort, etc. Pregnant women must limit their coffee intake to 200 mg per day.
Summing-up
Having coffee during pre-workout has its benefits in the long run. However, not everyone will be comfortable with the caffeine content in it. As said earlier, you can get a good workout without drinking coffee. If you are not sure whether coffee is a good option for you, considering a reputed nutritionist’s advice will be helpful.
