Today's Forum Topics
Set as homepage
|
View
New Forum Topics Today's Forum Topics Set as homepage |
 |
|
|||||||
Welcome to CyclingForums.com You are currently viewing our website as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions. You will have to register before you can post to this thread. By joining our free online community you will have access to post new topics, communicate privately with other cyclingforums.com members (PM), respond to polls, upload photos and access other special features like product reviews and classifieds. |
 |
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread | Display Modes |
26-10.-2007, 12:51 AM
|
#1 |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 217
|
Caffeine?
I was wondering about caffeine as I drink a fair bit of tea and coffee.
Whilst it's generally perceived that ideally one should not drink much (if any at all), I for one would find it very hard to go without my 3-4 cups/day. However, recently, when I was seeing a doctor he commented that because I was a cyclist, then I probably don't drink tea and coffee. I was slightly surprised at this observation as he seemed to think it important to observe this practice. I suppose the logic is that when undertaking intensive cardiovascular training, the 'purer' the blood, the more efficiently the blood will be pumped around the body. So, as the heart rate increases and bloods starts to flow more quickly, toxins (caffeine) will be purged so the blood can do its work more effectively. So, therefore blood without caffeine is better than blood with, right? |
|
|
|
26-10.-2007, 03:19 AM
|
#2 |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 8
|
Re: Caffeine?
Your doctor may have been looking at it a couple of different way. Perhaps he knows that cyclists require optimal hydration and nutrient retention and excess caffeine being a diuretic can dehydrate and strip certain vitamins, minerals and electrolytes. We all know that optimal hydration is key to performance.
He also may be thinking that since caffeine like any stimulant can tax the adrenal glands over time causing adrenal fatigue that will inevitably lead to decreased performance. Caffeine or any stimulant can be detrimental to performance over time if comprehensive adrenal support isn't present in either vitamin or supplemental form. You may find that if you can cut back to a cup or two per day that over time it pays off in your cycling. The slight withdrawal from the caffeine is short lived and can be lessened by drinking more water and taking a strong B-Complex. If you find you are excessively sluggish then you may want to invest in an adaptogenic herb like ginseng or ashwagandha to further support your adrenals.
__________________
-Matt Millennium Sport Technologies 1-800-249-7918 support@millenniumsport.net samples@millenniumsport.net |
|
|
|
|
01-07.-2008, 08:03 AM
|
#3 | |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 24
|
Re: Caffeine?
Quote:
|
|
|
|
|
|
04-07.-2008, 11:50 PM
|
#4 |
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Rome, Italy
Posts: 3,576
|
Re: Caffeine?
As everything, I would think that it is ok in moderation. A couple of cups of espresso every day are part of my God-given right as an Italian.
__________________
De Rosa Planet Campagnolo Per Sempre! PAOLO BETTINI CAMPIONE DEL MONDO x 2! 
|
|
|
|
|
05-07.-2008, 04:07 AM
|
#5 | |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,378
|
Re: Caffeine?
Quote:
FWIW, the role of caffeine as a diuretic is generally overstated. Remember water itself is a diuretic. Check out some of these links: http://www.ific.org/foodinsight/200...ehydnbfi402.cfm http://www.divinecaroline.com/artic...ated--say-what- http://www.beverageinstitute.org/he...nMythToRest.pdf To further complicate things, caffeine has been shown to increase performance in endurance events, so it can actually help a cyclist: http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/caffeine.html http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psych...eine_sports.htm http://www.sportales.com/Sports/Caf...ndurance.112723 But I'm with Pete, a cup of coffee or two is just part of my daily ritual and I'm not cuttin' it out any time soon. Due cappucini per favore..... -Dave Last edited by daveryanwyoming : 05-07.-2008 at 06:26 AM. |
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
