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.

Coffee in the Morning May Not Be So Great After All

Everyone has their own morning routine that they adhere to, and more often than not that routine includes a piping-hot cup of coffee. That first cup helps wake us up and keeps us alert as we go about our day, but some recent research seems to indicate that going for coffee first thing in the morning may not be the most optimal time for consumption.

Andina Acquisition CEO Luke Weil noted that the study indicates that early-morning caffeine consumption can alter our natural circadian rhythms to such a degree that it affects many of our natural waking processes. One of these processes involves the production and release of cortisol, the hormone that aids in making us feel alert when we rise each day. If caffeine is consumed shortly after waking up by drinking a cup of coffee, it is possible that our body will respond by limiting cortisol and instead relying on the caffeine.

While coffee consumption may not be ideal for the early-morning hours, the mid-morning hours seem to be all right, according to the study. Once the natural levels of cortisol begin to dip in the hours that follow 10 a.m., coffee consumption and the caffeine that is included can have the beneficial effect so many drinkers are seeking. The alertness generated by caffeine is more likely to actually be experienced by veteran coffee drinkers who have developed a tolerance, and drinking coffee at this time of day will have less of an adverse effect on the production and release of cortisol.

The post Coffee in the Morning May Not Be So Great After All appeared first on Joe's Regular Blog.

Coffee in the Morning May Not Be So Great After All

Everyone has their own morning routine that they adhere to, and more often than not that routine includes a piping-hot cup of coffee. That first cup helps wake us up and keeps us alert as we go about our day, but some recent research seems to indicate that going for coffee first thing in the morning may not be the most optimal time for consumption.

Andina Acquisition CEO Luke Weil noted that the study indicates that early-morning caffeine consumption can alter our natural circadian rhythms to such a degree that it affects many of our natural waking processes. One of these processes involves the production and release of cortisol, the hormone that aids in making us feel alert when we rise each day. If caffeine is consumed shortly after waking up by drinking a cup of coffee, it is possible that our body will respond by limiting cortisol and instead relying on the caffeine.

While coffee consumption may not be ideal for the early-morning hours, the mid-morning hours seem to be all right, according to the study. Once the natural levels of cortisol begin to dip in the hours that follow 10 a.m., coffee consumption and the caffeine that is included can have the beneficial effect so many drinkers are seeking. The alertness generated by caffeine is more likely to actually be experienced by veteran coffee drinkers who have developed a tolerance, and drinking coffee at this time of day will have less of an adverse effect on the production and release of cortisol.

The post Coffee in the Morning May Not Be So Great After All appeared first on Joe's Regular Blog.

Coffee Drinker Health

Can something like coffee really be good for you?  If you are a coffee drinker you will want to believe that it is good for your health as you have no plans to quit any time soon.  If you are the coffee snob you will preach the virtues of coffee as long as anyone will listen but what is the science.  Well as with anything in this life, coffee is good for you in moderation.  Too much of anything can be bad for you.  So just remember the coffee is not the only thing you need to survive.  Eric Gonchar is a coffee lover and has no plans to quit.

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