Many runners have a habit of drinking coffee before hitting the road. This is to boost their energy and performance. But a recent study shows that even after a hard workout, a cup of coffee can be beneficial. The journal Nutrients published research that showed coffee drinking after a hard workout can increase muscle glycogen synthesis. This allows you to recover faster before your next run.
The Coffee Performance Study
Researchers had eleven male cyclists, all of whom were trained, complete a four-hour, exhausting ride. Another was done the next morning. The cyclists had a low-carb meal in between to ensure they didn't lose any carbohydrate between the two sessions. Participants were offered a choice of either coffee, sugar and milk, or a more sweet drink. Both were served in opaque containers with dark straws, lids infused coffee and lids. The drinks were also offered in open-heat coffee brewing rooms.
The study showed that cyclists who consumed the coffee beverage had their glycogen supply grow 57% more than those who did not drink it. Researchers concluded that coffee with sweetened milk resulted in a faster rate of muscle glycogen resynthesis after the intense cycling session than the drink of plain milk.
What does this all mean for runners?
In other words, coffee can be added to your post-workout drink to help replenish your carbohydrate stores faster, which will increase your recovery time between runs and workouts. Researchers note that it is important to replenish your carbohydrate stores in the first phase of post-workout recovery. This is anywhere from zero to four hours after your workout is over. Your rate of glycogen production is higher during this time.
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