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Definition: "An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance "

04.12.2021

Caffeine takes the sting out of physical exertion without carbohydrates

A small group of strength athletes and endurance athletes know firsthand that a low-carbohydrate diet can improve body composition with minimal loss of muscle mass. A disadvantage of this approach is that the switch to a low carb lifestyle takes time, and that during this period training becomes extremely heavy and tiring. A supplement that might help is good, old caffeine.

Study
Eduardo Prado, a Brazilian researcher from the Federal University of Alagoas, got 14 cyclists aged 18-36 on two separate occasions to eat low-carbohydrate foods for three days. In this case, this meant that about 10 percent of the athletes' energy came from carbohydrates.

On the third day of the ketogenic period, the subjects had to cycle for two hours at an intensity of 75-85 percent of their maximum heart rate.

On one occasion the subjects took a placebo an hour before they started cycling, on the other hand a supplement containing caffeine. The cyclists were given 5 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight.

Results
During the session, the concentration of ammonia and urea in the cyclists' blood rose. Ammonia and urea are end products of the breakdown of proteins, causing fatigue. Caffeine supplementation, however, limited the increase.

This was especially the case for ammonia. Caffeine reduced the increase in ammonia by as much as a quarter.

Mechanism
At the start of the session, caffeine increased the concentration of glucose in the blood by 28 percent compared to the placebo condition. The concentration of lactic acid was even 80 percent higher after the administration of caffeine compared to the placebo condition.

The researchers suspect that caffeine increases the availability of glucose during exercise with a low carbohydrate intake. As a result, the muscles need to break down less proteins.

Source:
Nutrition. Nov-Dec 2021;91-92:111377.

More:
Whether or not you are used to caffeine, a cup of coffee improves sports performance 18.12.2020
1.9 percent faster running after a cup of coffee 13.12.2019
Combination of salbutamol, caffeine and high-calorie diet: more muscle, less fat 19.11.2019

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Relatively low and relatively high dose of caffeine equally effective for strength athletes A dose of caffeine taken before you start strength training can ensure that you can get a few extra reps from your sets.	Caffeine increases calorie consumption by physical exercise If you exercise more, your fat percentage will probably decrease. This effect is further enhanced if you exercise with a decent amount of caffeine in your system. Animal data.	Caffeine chewing gum works twice as fast as caffeine in pills or capsules If you want to be more alert, more energetic and less drowsy within a few minutes, chewing gum with caffeine is more effective than caffeine in pill form.