3 Benefits of Coffee for Improved Muscle Recovery
Your alarm goes off and you know that a busy day awaits you, full of meetings, never-ending reports, and slides upon slides of PowerPoint. While you realize that there are endless to-do’s that await you, there is one thing that you can look forward to this morning, and every morning in fact—your beloved cup of coffee. The aroma, taste, and benefits of coffee can make event the crankiest wake-up drift away, as you savor each sip and feel your energy start to reboot.
Muscle Recovery Benefits of Coffee
There are quite a few opinions when it comes to the benefits of coffee. It seems like every day, there is a new study released contrasting the results of another study. Here is some of the latest information on those cups-of-Joe, and how coffee can actually increase recovery (especially on tough workout days).
1. Decreases Uric Acid in the Blood
Coffee has been found to decrease the amount of uric acid in the blood, which can decrease the risk of developing gout and arthritis.
2. High in Antioxidants
Coffee is full of antioxidants, and according to the University of Scranton, coffee contains the largest amount of antioxidants found in the western diet. Antioxidants protect the body from damage from free radicals, and can increase muscle recovery.
3. Boosts Glycogen Levels
Additional studies have investigated the relationship between exercise and recovery while consuming coffee. An Australian team of researchers studied the effects of coffee on glycogen with cyclists. From the study, riders who consumed coffee post-workout had higher levels of glycogen 4 hours after the ride was completed. Ideally, in order to maximize the effects of recovery with coffee, carbohydrates should also be consumed at the same time. The combination of carbohydrates and caffeine can allow for better muscle glycogen resynthesis when compared to only consuming carbohydrates post-workout.
In order to maximize recovery, consider drinking your favorite coffee while eating a carbohydrate-rich snack, like pretzels, fruit, or a sandwich, while using the Marc Pro or Marc Pro Plus. Allow for nourishment to come into the muscles, while reducing the amount of waste in the muscles.
Have you found that coffee helps with your recovery? What are your tips to help take your recovery to the next level? Tweet at us or share your best recovery image on Instagram.