Coffee: That Dehydration Hydrates Me.

Why caffeine is the least of your problems...
By Samuel Dybdahl

Caffeine... published studies seem to cyclically determine whether it is bad for you or not. Both positive and negative effects of caffeine can be found documented.  Instead of constantly arguing whether one should drink caffeine; keep it simple: DRINK IT OR DO NOT DRINK IT.

Furthermore, caffeine has been used as an ergogenic aid in many sports including within the Olympics (dosages above or around 800mg may disqualify a competitor) 

I do not drink caffeine because it dehydrates me...

Quoting the Mayo clinic directly on this circumstance...
  
"Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
... Researchers used to believe that caffeinated drinks had a diuretic effect. This means that you would urinate more after drinking them, which could increase your risk of becoming dehydrated. Recent research shows that this is not true and that caffeine has a diuretic effect only if you consume large amounts of it — more than 500 to 600 milligrams (the equivalent of 5 to 7 cups of coffee) a day. "
 
Researched benefits of caffeine

Studies have found correlations with caffeine consumption and ....

• Alzheimer's prevention
• Increased Athletic performance
• Increased insulin sensitivity
• Increased metabolism
• "athletes that consumed caffeine and carbs after strenuous exercise had 66% more glycogen in their muscles 4 hours later than athletes who just ingested carbs alone.Glycogen is important because it is the fuel your muscles use to function."- directly quoted study
• Caffeine relieves post work-out muscle pain by up to 48%. 
• Coffee has been touted for an appetite suppressant.

Over caffeinated...? The solution

Being over caffeinated may be one of the most common discouragements of caffeine intake. Not to mention the overplayed 'adrenal fatigue.'

Moreover, it is possible to cycle off caffeine within a week or 2 without 'withdrawal' symptoms if done intelligently using incremental decreases in dosages. IE Day 1 600mg; Day 2 500mg; Day 3 400mg; and so on (if you feel tired at a certain decrease maintain the previous level until adjustment or decrease in smaller intervals)

 Before ordering an extra cream coffee to increase that lagging metabolism, remember, you just added several calories to your diet... Perhaps stick to the lower calorie caffeinated beverages to achieve health benefits.

On That Note...

I have been taking classes and writing a lot (for college and a health related book with personal fitness/ diet experimentation) recently. While limiting my posts on here and as the Hartford CT Fitness and Health examiner, I noticed over 2,000 views since leaving this blog; I will try to keep some semi-regular posts...