Black Coffee As A Pre-Workout Drink: Know Pros And Cons

To improve performance and achieve fitness goals, good nutrition before and after a workout plays a significant role. It helps you perform the workout effectively and recover faster. Optimal nutrient intake before a workout helps maximize your performance and reduces the risk of muscle damage. A pre-workout meal also fuels your body to exercise well. Carbs, protein and healthy fats are three essential nutrients that should be a part of your pre-workout meal. Another popular pre-workout drink is black coffee for an extra boost of energy before a workout. In this article, let's find out whether you should drink coffee as a pre-workout and how.

Coffee before workout: A hit or a miss?

Pros

• Coffee can help improve exercise performance effectively
• It can give an extra boost of energy and strength
• Drinking coffee can help you feel more awake and alert
• Coffee can help fight fatigue and increase alertness
• Coffee can help improve cognitive health and boost mood
• It may increase the amount of fat you burn

Cons

• Coffee is not for everyone. Some people are sensitive to caffeine. Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can contribute to an upset stomach.
• High caffeine consumption can cause sleep problems. Insomnia can further affect your mood throughout the day and affect your athletic performance, hindering muscle recovery.
• Some also experience anxiety after drinking coffee.
• Drinking too much coffee can lead to caffeine toxicity or caffeine overdose.

Healthy pre-workout foods and drinks:

If coffee is not your choice of pre-workout drink, here are some options you can try:

• Banana or banana smoothie
• A carb or protein-rich snack
• Fresh fruit juice
• Greek yogurt
• Protein shakes/bars
• Peanut butter

When to eat

You should eat your pre-workout meals at least two hours before working out.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.