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The health benefits of coffee and how it could boost your workout!

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Editorial Team
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These days scientists and health professionals are in agreement that coffee can benefit our health and may even help to improve your exercise performance.

Studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption (up to four cups per day) may be linked with a longer lifespan.  According to one particular study published in the journal Circulation coffee consumption may be associated with a 15% reduction in the risk of death (1).

Combat tiredness and increase concentration

Caffeine in coffee acts as a stimulant that targets the brain by blocking the inhibitory neurotransmitter adenosine.  This in turn results in an increase in norepinephrine and dopamine which fire up certain neurons.  There are plenty of human studies that show how coffee improves memory, mood, energy and cognitive function.

Athletic performance

Coffee can be considered an ergogenic aid which means it can give you a mental and physical edge when exercising.  There are several reasons why the caffeine found in coffee may help to aid exercise performance.

  • Caffeine helps to improve focus and energy while also combatting fatigue as it activates specific areas of the brain (4).
  • Caffeine triggers the release of adrenaline which can help to increase performance (5).
  • Caffeine may affect a part of the brain called the motor cortex which signals muscle activation (6).
  • Caffeine may help to increase the body’s ability to utilise fat while sparing the availability of carbohydrate in the muscles which may help to enhance endurance performance (7).
  • Caffeine has also been shown to increase the amount of heat the body produces (thermogenesis) which can help burn more calories (8).

One way to reap the benefits of organic coffee and support your exercise goals is by having a daily shake with That Protein’s Award-Winning Chirpy Chirpy Choca Mocha Organic Super Protein which contains real organic coffee and plant protein. It’s also great added to porridge and added to baking.

For more information go to www.thatprotein.com

Words by: Rob Hobson. Rob is a registered nutritionist with over 14 years of experience working in both public health (NHS and charities

References 
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26572796
2. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/4102
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26002927
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1356551
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7775331
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10444642
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18467543
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2333832
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29276945

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  • Editorial Team

    Articles written by experts in their field. Our experts are sharing their knowledge and expertise, however their opinions and ideas may not be the opinions of Wellbeing Magazine. Any article offering advice should be first discussed with their GP before trying any treatments, products or lifestyle changes.

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