Is it OK to have coffee before running?

There’s a lot of confusion when it comes to whether or not it’s OK to have caffeine before running. Some people say no, while others say yes. So is it safe? Let’s break it down.

Long Story Short

Coffee is a common drink that many people enjoy before they run.
There really is no right answer out there when it comes to whether or not it’s safe to have coffee before running, so just make sure you are drinking what feels right for you! 

Is Coffee Safe to Drink Before Running?

First, let’s take a look at the caffeine content in coffee. According to DrinkUpNYC, the average 8 oz cup of coffee has around 85 mg of caffeine. 

That amount is enough to give you a nice boost during your run but not enough to make you feel like you can’t go a round without it. 

Secondly, there are some things that can help offset the effects of caffeine. You might want to consider incorporating gatorade or salt tabs into your drink or consuming a banana before heading out for your run. 

Thirdly, don’t worry about how much coffee you drink when running. 

Some people will drink cups and cups of coffee before their runs while others will only have one cup before taking off on their long-distance runs. 

But everyone drinks different amounts, so if you’re going over and above what your individual needs are then that might be an issue for you. 

Fourthly, try drinking iced coffee before your run. This helps with dehydration and reduces stress on your body as well as blood pressure levels. 

What Is Caffeine, and How Does It Work?

Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant found in many plants and animals.

It is most commonly found in coffee, tea, and other brewed beverages.

Caffeine works by increasing the amount of energy that is available to the body.

How Much Coffee To Drink Before a Run

There is no definitive answer to this question since what is ideal for one person may not be ideal for another.

However, generally speaking, most people should drink around two cups of coffee before a run.

 

Pros and Cons of Coffee for Runners Pros of coffee for runners:

The science behind coffee before a run

Many people like to have a cup of coffee before running but there is some debate over whether or not it’s safe to do so. 

Generally, caffeine can cause dehydration and muscle cramps in the legs, which can make running more difficult. 

Some say that if you drink caffeinated beverages before a run, your body will be dehydrated because of the lack of fluids. 

So what about those who say it’s safe to have coffee before running? 

Caffeine in general can help increase your blood flow, which can reduce fatigue and boost endurance levels. I

t’s also thought that caffeine temporarily helps release adrenaline when you exercise and that can lead to increased performance. 

There’s also evidence from studies on mice that shows that caffeinated drinks could help improve running performance by decreasing oxygen consumption while increasing lung function and efficiency. 

Of course, these findings are all speculative at this point but there may be something to them.

Why you shouldn’t have coffee before running

In general, caffeine is not a great idea before you exercise. Caffeine has a diuretic effect and can cause dehydration, which can lead to cramping and muscle spasms. 

You might experience nausea or sleepiness after drinking coffee, so it’s best to avoid it. Caffeine also interferes with the body’s ability to absorb iron from food, which leads to anemia. 

When you drink coffee, your body uses your iron stores for energy rather than absorbing it from food. 

This means that your iron levels will be lower for a day or two after drinking coffee because the excess energy is being used up by the body instead of going towards absorbing iron from food. 

Finally, if you’re running on a high-carbohydrate diet like some people recommend before running (like a high-glycemic diet), caffeine can decrease your performance as it has been shown to reduce fat utilization during exercise. 

This is because caffeine increases blood sugar levels and insulin levels in response to carbohydrates consumed with caffeine. 

So if you have carbs beforehand, your insulin will spike and keep your blood sugar elevated longer than normal leading to decreased fat utilization as a result of higher blood sugars (Lareau et al., 2018). 

Conclusion

t’s OK to have coffee before running If you’re still wondering whether or not it’s OK to have coffee before running, the answer is yes! 

People often drink caffeinated beverages before they run because they want their energy Coffee does not have any negative effects on running. 

In fact, coffee can actually help improve runners’ performance. Caffeine gives people an energy boost, which can help them run longer and faster.