Coffee Offers Risk and Reward in Athletic Endeavors

There has been a great deal of discussion in recent years about performance enhancers in professional sports, but one particular performance enhancer has slipped under the radar for quite some time. Caffeine is one of the most effective performance enhancers available, and many athletes get a dose of caffeine through a cup of coffee they consume before and even during competition. Serena Williams recently requested an espresso in between matches at a tennis tournament, and Matthew Dellavedova of the Cleveland Cavaliers recently revealed he drinks a cup of coffee before tipoff and at halftime.

The reason that these athletes bring coffee with them from city to city is that caffeine is known to improve athletic performance in endurance events. Drinking coffee gives athletes a little extra energy to keep in the bank during competition, and studies have shown that caffeine can improve performance significantly when used properly. Of course, there are risks involved in using coffee and caffeine in this way, as the results are not as great for those who drink coffee on a regular basis and have therefore developed a tolerance.

The other issue, which was recently brought to greater prominence during the NBA Finals, is the fact that coffee is a diuretic and can cause dehydration. This is precisely what happened to Dellavedova, as the point guard had to be taken to the hospital following one of the games to be treated for severe cramping that doctors believe was caused by excessive coffee consumption.

The post Coffee Offers Risk and Reward in Athletic Endeavors appeared first on Joe's Regular Blog.

Coffee Offers Risk and Reward in Athletic Endeavors

There has been a great deal of discussion in recent years about performance enhancers in professional sports, but one particular performance enhancer has slipped under the radar for quite some time. Caffeine is one of the most effective performance enhancers available, and many athletes get a dose of caffeine through a cup of coffee they consume before and even during competition. Serena Williams recently requested an espresso in between matches at a tennis tournament, and Matthew Dellavedova of the Cleveland Cavaliers recently revealed he drinks a cup of coffee before tipoff and at halftime.

The reason that these athletes bring coffee with them from city to city is that caffeine is known to improve athletic performance in endurance events. Drinking coffee gives athletes a little extra energy to keep in the bank during competition, and studies have shown that caffeine can improve performance significantly when used properly. Of course, there are risks involved in using coffee and caffeine in this way, as the results are not as great for those who drink coffee on a regular basis and have therefore developed a tolerance.

The other issue, which was recently brought to greater prominence during the NBA Finals, is the fact that coffee is a diuretic and can cause dehydration. This is precisely what happened to Dellavedova, as the point guard had to be taken to the hospital following one of the games to be treated for severe cramping that doctors believe was caused by excessive coffee consumption.

The post Coffee Offers Risk and Reward in Athletic Endeavors appeared first on Joe's Regular Blog.

Cold-Brew Coffee Is Time Consuming But Worthwhile

There is simply no denying that coffee is among the most popular drinks available, and as such, it is always being experimented with to see if there is some new way to enjoy the tasty beverage. One style of coffee that is rapidly gaining in popularity and prevalence is cold-brew coffee, which is vastly different from iced coffee. The process of making cold-brew coffee is not exactly efficient, so a little advance planning is required to enjoy this different take on coffee. All the planning is worthwhile, however, as cold-brew coffee can be enjoyed on its own or as the main ingredient in some very tasty beverage creations.

To make cold-brew coffee at home, coffee grounds have to be steeped overnight in cold water. The process may take longer than a single night, but it is possible to use water at room temperature as well. Though there is some advance preparation needed, a cold-brew coffee on a warm summer day is incredibly refreshing and is worth the effort and the patience required.

Instead of making the cold-brewed coffee, Vivier suggests frequenting one of the many establishments that serves cold-brew coffee as a part of its specialty drink offerings. Among the favorites offered at these establishments is the cold-brew coffee milkshake, which is an excellent treat for any hot summer afternoon. There is also nitrogenized cold-brew coffee, which is a creamy and cold drink that does not include any dairy in its ingredients. These options are very welcome additions, and it appears clear that cold-brew coffee is here to stay.

The post Cold-Brew Coffee Is Time Consuming But Worthwhile appeared first on Joe's Regular Blog.

Cold-Brew Coffee Is Time Consuming But Worthwhile

There is simply no denying that coffee is among the most popular drinks available, and as such, it is always being experimented with to see if there is some new way to enjoy the tasty beverage. One style of coffee that is rapidly gaining in popularity and prevalence is cold-brew coffee, which is vastly different from iced coffee. The process of making cold-brew coffee is not exactly efficient, so a little advance planning is required to enjoy this different take on coffee. All the planning is worthwhile, however, as cold-brew coffee can be enjoyed on its own or as the main ingredient in some very tasty beverage creations.

To make cold-brew coffee at home, coffee grounds have to be steeped overnight in cold water. The process may take longer than a single night, but it is possible to use water at room temperature as well. Though there is some advance preparation needed, a cold-brew coffee on a warm summer day is incredibly refreshing and is worth the effort and the patience required.

Instead of making the cold-brewed coffee, Vivier suggests frequenting one of the many establishments that serves cold-brew coffee as a part of its specialty drink offerings. Among the favorites offered at these establishments is the cold-brew coffee milkshake, which is an excellent treat for any hot summer afternoon. There is also nitrogenized cold-brew coffee, which is a creamy and cold drink that does not include any dairy in its ingredients. These options are very welcome additions, and it appears clear that cold-brew coffee is here to stay.

The post Cold-Brew Coffee Is Time Consuming But Worthwhile appeared first on Joe's Regular Blog.