Caffeine Part 1: What Is Caffeine?
Caffeine is one of the most widely used stimulants in the world. In fact, about 90% of people in the world use caffeine in one form or another. That means about nine in every ten people consume caffeine every single day! Does that mean billions of people worldwide are turning to coffee every day? No, not necessarily… We’re going to walk you through how and why caffeine can be used among lifestyle to performance starting with where caffeine comes from. Let’s take a look.
CAFFEINE SOURCES
Many tend to believe caffeine just comes from coffee beans, but it’s naturally occurring within over sixty plant species. Today, caffeine is found a variety of foods and beverages, but the most common natural sources include tea leaves, guarana, yerba mate, kola nuts and cocoa beans. Caffeine can also be man-made. However, despite whether the source is natural or man-made, caffeine still has the same chemical structure and both types have the ability to act a stimulant within the body. Below are some examples of beverages and their caffeine content per 8 ounces or 236mL.
- Energy Drinks = 45-350 mg caffeine
- Coffee = 95-200 mg caffeine
- Soft Drink = 20-75 mg caffeine
- Black Tea = 14-70 mg caffeine
- Green Tea = 24-45 mg caffeine
- Chocolate Milk = 1-3 mg caffeine
CAFFEINE: LIFESTYLE TO PERFORMANCE
Caffeine has been consumed for centuries. It’s a trusted ingredient that has made its way into just about every healthy adults routine whether its lifestyle or performance. Caffeine can be used in several different ways due to its unique ability to help support energy, focus and endurance. More specifically, caffeine consumed in amounts of about 100 to 350 mg may help to …
- Promote alertness and wakefulness
- Support focus and attention
- Help reduce fatigue
How caffeine is used truly depends on the individual and their goal. Caffeine can be used to provide energy for your activity. When it comes to lifestyle - caffeine can be a tool used any time of day. It can be used in the morning, in the afternoon for a pick-me-up or anytime to you need it. It can also be used to help stay focused when studying, working or even playing video games! When it comes to performance - caffeine can be a very beneficial ergogenic aid. It can be used to support energy and endurance when in lifting weights or going for a run. It can also be used on the track or field to help stay alert and focused.
It’s worthwhile to review your caffeinated beverage whether your goals are health, performance or weight management. Some caffeinated products may provide some benefit, but may also have some downfalls. For example, a cup of coffee or tea can included variety of nutrients and antioxidants. However, it’s easy to go overboard quick with syrups and dressings like drizzle caramel and whipped cream. Alike specialty beverages – soft drinks and energy drinks can also add up quick. In turn, making it challenging to stay on top of your goals.
HOW DO YOU USE CAFFEINE?
The type of caffeinated beverage you select depends on you, your preference and goal. We all use caffeine differently. How you use it is entirely up to you. For some it’s a simple cup of coffee in the morning where for some it’s that intense pre-workout to really get at in the gym. Whatever your purpose, be sure to be mindful of your tolerance and find what works best for you.