Training & Nutrition - Any reason NOT to drink coffee?

Discuss.......

If you're dehydrated, it's not good without water.

Of course, if you've already had a pot of coffee then another cup is probably not a good idea either.

Some people have had panic attacks or heart palpitations from coffee. Probably bad idea for these folks to drink coffee.

Sure I can think of several:

-While homebrew is cheap, picking up Starbucks etc all the time will waste a horrendous amount of money (Latte Factor) that could have been spent on bike stuff.

-If drank in the evening it can reduce the quality of your sleep.

-Exacerbates any existing stress and anxiety.

-There is some evidence that it both reduces absorption and increases losses of dietary minerals.

-Caffeine is a proven performance enhancer, but surprisingly coffee is shown to have little effect. Other compounds in the coffee interfere.

I still drink it.

It'll turn your teeth yellow if you drink too much.

JB

Item one; If I get more then 4 cups of coffee equivalent in my system at one time I start having little chest pains akin to low key Angina. So I cut myself off at three servings of Pepsi or coca cola in restruants.

Study in a peer-reviewed journal a few years back indicated that women with endometriosis who were also regular coffee drinkers reported higher levels of pain than women with endometriosis who did not drink any coffee.

I like my coffee. Usually drink about 6 - 8 cups a day. All homebrew and BLACK. I thought I read somewhere last summer that some studies showed some positive health benefits for coffee drinkers.

if i don't have any coffee i get a headache... so i'm addicted. But i only drink it in the morning. Hey, it's better than being addicted to meth or cigarettes!

^don't hate on meth

Although I prefer homebrew black coffee, no sugar. 3 cups daily. helps me stay on a regular schedule. It also helps give the colon a good cleansing.

The addiction and headaches are a good reason not to. That being said, i drink 1 mug (not cup :p) a day, i'm guessing about 12 ounces. If it's a particularly slow feeling day (or friday), maybe 2 mugs, with afew tablespoons of ovaltine or other chocolate powder for my poor mans cafe mocha. I get it from the office coffee machine (i buy the creamer and coffee, the secretary gets the coffee machine going in the morning). Costs me about 25 cents a day i've estimated. :D I try to stay away from caffine on the weekends though to break the addiction cycle.

Sure I can think of several:

-While homebrew is cheap, picking up Starbucks etc all the time will waste a horrendous amount of money (Latte Factor) that could have been spent on bike stuff.


But, Starbucks latte will pack in the calories.



-If drank in the evening it can reduce the quality of your sleep.


Idiosyncratic--at gatherings, my relatives are always surprised that I can have several cups of coffee and I start getting drowsy.



-Exacerbates any existing stress and anxiety.


Maybe that's why I growl all of the time.



-There is some evidence that it both reduces absorption and increases losses of dietary minerals.


Calcium from what I remember in my readings.



-Caffeine is a proven performance enhancer, but surprisingly coffee is shown to have little effect. Other compounds in the coffee interfere.


Enough coffee and you can have the same nervous system slimulation as NoDoz or Vivarin.



I still drink it.


Me too.

I can think of health reasons for those around me why I should drink coffee... :D <need evil smiley>

As far as a reason not to drink? I am sure there are some, but without coffee I probably couldn't think of any... seems like a hopeless quest to me.

Discuss.......

Because its nasty?

After being a 2-3 cup a day drinker for most of my adult life, and feeling very sluggish on days without coffee, I gave up all caffeine for a month (I do that from time-to-time with most habits). I started waking up much more alert and refreshed. At the end of the month, I didn't resume drinking coffee, but now have an occasional caffeinated soda or tea. The next morning, I'm significantly more sluggish.

But that's just me.

After being a 2-3 cup a day drinker for most of my adult life, and feeling very sluggish on days without coffee, I gave up all caffeine for a month (I do that from time-to-time with most habits). I started waking up much more alert and refreshed. At the end of the month, I didn't resume drinking coffee, but now have an occasional caffeinated soda or tea. The next morning, I'm significantly more sluggish.

But that's just me.

I try to do this too...
I drink it in the morning (2 mugs) I perk up then crash by mid afternoon. This curve is much much more rounded (less slope) when I don't consume caffeine.
I like the 'give up addictions for a month' routine; I try to do this to keep a sense of control, but dang I like coffee in the am. I get up stupid early to do work, grade essays and plan my lesson activities (teacher) and man, coffee helps...

..but stress you out it can.

I gave up all caffeine for a month .

I think I will do the same....Starting tomorrow...or maybe the next day :)

Coffee is a diuretic. Makes you pee. I drink coffee in the morning and there are some AM rides when I feel like I have to stop every 15 minutes to relieve myself. It's maddening. I can't imagine racing for >1 hour without having to stop. But I also can't imagine doing anything in the morning without drinking coffee.

Guess I'd better sort it out before race season starts.

Supposed to be full of anti-oxidents, but also, one of the most heavily sprayed products. I would always try anddrink organic.
I read somewhere there has been a big rise in cancer this last 20 years, about two thirds of which is due to greater longevity, but around one third unexplained. I've heard the spotlight is beginning to fall onto pesticides.

i work for starbucks and its very hard for me not to drink coffee. not only did i love it before i started working there but it is now part of my job to know the taste of the product. constant tastings during the day, quality assurance on espresso shots, and also the free pound of coffee every week makes me a 6 to 10 cup a day drinker. im very aware of it though and this month ive been making sure im not getting out of control. i try to stay around 4 cups a day now.

i have constant headahces if i do not fill up on some sort of caffine through out the day. but i dont think my riding is at all affected. dont give me my coffee though and thats a different story.

Supposed to be full of anti-oxidents, but also, one of the most heavily sprayed products. I would always try anddrink organic.
I read somewhere there has been a big rise in cancer this last 20 years, about two thirds of which is due to greater longevity, but around one third unexplained. I've heard the spotlight is beginning to fall onto pesticides.


some info on spraying coffee.


as stated in my previous post i work for sbux. through my training ive learned there are 2 different types of beans, arabica and robusta. the arabica beans are grown at higher altitude and require more care by the farmers. the growth at higher altitude means less pollution from air and water and also less pests. these are obviously more expensive.

robusta beans are less quality but have much more caffine. they are grown at lower altitudes and dont require as much care as arabica beans. they are more exposed to elements and also are much less expensive.

another thing to look out for is coffee that is flavored. do you think there are vanilla or hazelnut coffee plants? no. they are sprayed with a flavor, typically a chemical, to create the flavor. most higher quality coffee houses do not have such flavored coffee beans.

here is one more interesting fact. since arabica beans are grown so high in altitude they are kinda organic by default. most are not labeled 'organic' because it costs farms alot of $$ to gain that label.


have any more questions let me know. im willing to share any knowledge i have

Thanks for that. Really interesting to know.

Here's one for you. I heard the process of decaffination can leave a lot of nasties in coffee I was told to look for coffee decaffinated with water.

Any info on this?

Thanks for that. Really interesting to know.

Here's one for you. I heard the process of decaffination can leave a lot of nasties in coffee I was told to look for coffee decaffinated with water.

Any info on this?


a chemical is added to make the beans de-caffinated during the process but apparently the chemical is washed off later in the process. i know from time to time i may have a half/caf espresso drink but generally i dont drink de-caf.

i can try to obtain info on this when im at work but so far there was only a small paragraph that had the info i shared.

`
i call a decaf a 'why bother' :)

It helps me take a dump in the morning.

`
i call a decaf a 'why bother' :)


Thanks for the info, and yes, I'd be interested in more.

I know what you mean about "why bother", but I simply can;t drink caffinated coffee anymore. I have a cortisol thing going on at the moment that means I just get too wired.
But I used to love expresso. I used to love all coffee (well, anything balck, strong and sweet), but times change and you get older and some things you have to stop.

Maybe I should simply not drink decaf and have a blissful memory of caffinated coffee. I must admit, I drink more tea now (again, decaf). Maybe it should be like cigarettes (which I used also to enjoy) - total ban is the only way.

And you know, a good strong cup of coffee and a cigarette (Marlboro Red, was always my preference), at a pavement cafe in a European city...Ahhhh, sometimes the memory is good enough. I find myself closing my eyes and trying to remember the feel of the sunlight dappled by the trees on the Unter Den Linden.

But I digress. Where was I? Oh yes, my life as is.

Hmmmmm.

If you are planning on getting off the caffeine, take plenty of time to do it. I measure the amount of coffee I drink then reduce it one cup per day until I no longer drink Caffinenated drinks. It keeps me from gettin those really nasty caffeine headaches.

quad espresso baby let the anti oxidents roll and damn the caffine.

hmm folks dont like to talk to unless i have had coffee; somthing to do with to many channels in my brain. the caffine slows me down to people speed

Thanks for the info, and yes, I'd be interested in more.

I know what you mean about "why bother", but I simply can;t drink caffinated coffee anymore. I have a cortisol thing going on at the moment that means I just get too wired.
But I used to love expresso. I used to love all coffee (well, anything balck, strong and sweet), but times change and you get older and some things you have to stop.

Maybe I should simply not drink decaf and have a blissful memory of caffinated coffee. I must admit, I drink more tea now (again, decaf). Maybe it should be like cigarettes (which I used also to enjoy) - total ban is the only way.

And you know, a good strong cup of coffee and a cigarette (Marlboro Red, was always my preference), at a pavement cafe in a European city...Ahhhh, sometimes the memory is good enough. I find myself closing my eyes and trying to remember the feel of the sunlight dappled by the trees on the Unter Den Linden.

But I digress. Where was I? Oh yes, my life as is.

Hmmmmm.

im not if this means i insulted you or not but if i did sorry. i know what living without pleasures is like i was diagnosed with epilepsy 2 years ago and had to completely stop drinking booze which made me hate myself and the problem i had.

now i dont. instead i gets ****ed up on caffine!

Discuss.......

One good reason not to drink coffee...When I drink it in the morning, it keeps me awake all day!!!:eek:

^don't hate on meth

Exactly! Just because it is an awful substance,
doesn't mean we should overlook it's role in appetite
suppression...

im not if this means i insulted you or not but if i did sorry. i know what living without pleasures is like i was diagnosed with epilepsy 2 years ago and had to completely stop drinking booze which made me hate myself and the problem i had.

now i dont. instead i gets ****ed up on caffine!

No insult. Not at all.

I had to stop drinking coffee pretty much altogether. After I first started riding a lot my metabolism seemed to speed up and I started loosing weight. Eight months ago I weighed 220 and am now down to 185 or so. After my metabolism increased and I became hungry all the time even a half cup of coffee would affect me as if I'd drank the whole pot. It was not a good feeling. If I drank one cup of coffee with a large breakfast I'd end up hungry and suffering from low blood sugar within an hour of eating.

Seems it affects everyone quite a bit differently. For me there is no way I could drink any amount of coffee and then get on a bike.

i've heard that since the caffiene from coffee is absorbed directly through the stomach lining into the bloodstream, it stains your stomach brown. the staining isn't harmful though.

On another note coffee does have three significant benefits:

It wakes you up, AND
tends to cure the negative effects which may arise from good news AND
will delay sleep when this could be a positive thing.

Jacob Vickery

Admins, was this previous post by me "disruptive" or "off topic?"
If so, I apologize for any lack of your appraisal of my good intentions.

Jacob Vickery

I try to limit my coffee consumption to less than 3 cups a week. If I need a pick me up, I drink yerba mate instead. It's a natural stimulant – without the side effects and toxicity of coffee – remarkably, it induces better (not worse) attributes of sleep.

I try to limit my coffee consumption to less than 3 cups a week.

I am down to 3 a day now :)

It's a natural stimulant – without the side effects and toxicity of coffee – remarkably, it induces better (not worse) attributes of sleep.

Like coffee beans aren't "natural"? :rolleyes:

Per Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yerba_mate):


Mate contains xanthines, which are alkaloids in the same family as caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine, well-known stimulants also found in coffee and chocolate. Mate also contains elements such as potassium, magnesium and manganese [2]. Caffeine content varies between 0.3% and 1.7% of dry weight (compare this to 2.5–4.5% for tea leaves, and 1.5% for ground coffee).

Mate products are sometimes marketed as "caffeine-free" alternatives to coffee and tea, and said to have fewer negative effects. This is often based on a claim that the primary active xanthine in mate is "mateine", erroneously said to be a stereoisomer of caffeine (as it is not chemically possible for caffeine to have a stereoisomer). "Mateine" is an official synonym of caffeine in the chemical databases.

Researchers at Florida International University in Miami have found that yerba mate does contain caffeine, but some people seem to tolerate a mate drink better than coffee or tea. This is expected since mate contains different chemicals (other than caffeine) from tea or coffee.

Thursdays are an incredibly long day for me. I go to school at 6:30 in the morning, and I get home from school around 7:30 at night. Thursday nights, into Friday mornings I drive a pedicab in downtown Austin. At about 9:30, few shots of espresso mixed with some steamed soy milk and chocolate is exactly what I need to keep my performance high until long after the shift is over. It really helps me through a strenuous 25 hour day, but simply because caffeine is a drug strong enough for that kind of task, I try to limit use to Thursday nights only.

I have premature ventricular contractions. Too much caffeine gives me palpitations. I no longer drink coffee after my 2 mugs in the morning. I buy a pound of regual beans and a pound of decaff beans, mix them up and grind them. Half the caffeine and all the flavor. I've been sleeping better since I reduced caffeine, even though I never knew it even affected my sleep.

" Any reason NOT to drink coffee?"

No. Are you mad?

Ken Cummings said "Item one; If I get more then 4 cups of coffee equivalent in my system at one time I start having little chest pains akin to low key Angina. " I think i've got the same problem? Would you mind describing the pain, is that a heart related pain or what?


jman

From: http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1470868

Q: Hey, you said at a seminar that decaf coffee is a bad idea. Why?

A: The chemicals used to get the caffeine out of coffee have been shown to be potent carcinogens (cancer causing). Now, there are some newer methods that supposedly remove the caffeine without chemicals (Swiss Water process), but in the end, drinking coffee without caffeine is like having a cheeseless cheese sandwich or a protein-free steak!

Also, most people who study carcinogens will tell you that the two most important things to buy organically are coffee and butter. These are the two most chemically laden foods you can buy if you don't choose organic. You can get organic coffee at Whole Foods. Some Starbucks locations also carry organic if you ask for it.

Interesting note, if you look at the research on coffee, you'll find that people who don't drink coffee die five years earlier than the people who do. One of the main reasons that has been advanced for this is that coffee is one of the only antioxidant-rich foods most people consume.

Also, it's the only bitter herb we consume. We know that bitter herbs are good for the health of the gallbladder. So, choose organic, fully caffeinated coffee.

Do any of you notice higher heart rates while exercising after drinking a large amount of coffee, or a normal amount in close proximity to your ride? Im wondering if this is actually a factor, as I've heard that caffeine only affects resting HR and only minimally. But I also feel that when I do drink a lot before a ride, my heart feels more strained and it's rate raises much quicker than normal. It's especially hard during days when I am limited in my training to certain HR zones, and I notice my power is restricted because of it. But, damn coffee is good. I enjoy decaf in the evening for something warm to drink.

Well....I drink coffee and I am thinking about quitting or at least drinking less. I have a defective heart valve from birth and my problem with coffee is if the caffeine can cause the abnormal HR isn't it possible it may be damaging my heart more? Or in the least, hurting the health/fitness I've worked so hard to achieve? Starting to think it just may be another bad habit, but with an almost hour long commute by car to work, the coffee gets me there on some days and keeps me alert to all the traffic changes.


jman

research suggests that coffee is not a diuretic and that it can be counted toward your daily beverage intake. personally, i don't agree.

don't forget that coffee has no nutritional value whatsoever and that caffeine is a drug.

however, if you really enjoy your coffee, than i see no problem with one small cup in the morning. i have read that coffee does help athletes get going.

lastly, don't forget to pay attention to portion sizes. a tall starbucks coffee does not equate with "1 cup of coffee".

"work for starbucks and its very hard for me not to drink coffee. not only did i love it before i started working there but it is now part of my job to know the taste of the product. constant tastings during the day, quality assurance on espresso shots, and also the free pound of coffee every week makes me a 6 to 10 cup a day drinker. im very aware of it though and this month ive been making sure im not getting out of control. i try to stay around 4 cups a day now.

i have constant headahces if i do not fill up on some sort of caffine through out the day. but i dont think my riding is at all affected. dont give me my coffee though and thats a different story."

---

You are very addicted to caffeine. You need to wean yourself off and drink lots of water while you do. When you say you have around 4 cups a day, remember that a starbucks cup of coffee is much larger than a true 8 ounce cup of coffee. Good luck.

Apparently there is a normally sized cup at Starbucks. It is called the "short" cup. It is 8 oz. and is not shown on the cup display. When you ask for a "small" they give you a "tall" which is actually 12oz. Tricksters...

i work for starbucks and its very hard for me not to drink coffee. not only did i love it before i started working there but it is now part of my job to know the taste of the product. constant tastings during the day, quality assurance on espresso shots, and also the free pound of coffee every week makes me a 6 to 10 cup a day drinker. im very aware of it though and this month ive been making sure im not getting out of control. i try to stay around 4 cups a day now.

i have constant headahces if i do not fill up on some sort of caffine through out the day. but i dont think my riding is at all affected. dont give me my coffee though and thats a different story.


I work for Sbux too...While I'm working its straight espressos..when I'm home its non-stop espresso roast as well. LOL. Too bad we can't get a case of Ethos for markout :)

Switch to green tea. All the buzz without the anxiety.

Just a little note about caffeine: Three 8oz. cups of regular strength coffe has about 250mg of caffeine, which is considered a "moderate" amount here:

http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2453615/apps/nl/content3.asp?content_id={5B9531C4-FAC0-48D9-B46C-B24F705A04CC**&notoc=1

More than that alot of things can be affected, including quality of sleep, regardless of when you consume it.

As noted above, stronger coffee has alot more caffeine, and other foods, drugs, and supplements do as well.

See here for an interesting list: http://www.energyfiend.com/the-caffeine-database/