Caffeine can make you feel more alert and less fatigued, give you a psychological edge, or make you nervous and jittery. Many of us depend on it or just enjoy it on a daily basis in a variety of forms, perhaps most familiar and popular to most of us in the form of coffee.
Drew Fucci, world class decathlete and owner of Tone Fitness, believes runners and other athletes use caffeine to enhance speed and endurance. Fucci, who has competed in many decathlons, including two Olympic Trials in the late 90’s, says “behind the scenes athletes use whatever natural stimulants they can to enhance their performance.”
Coffee, once known as the “Devil’s drink” in Rome, was liked and blessed by Pope Clement VIII and converted into a Christian beverage.
Caffeine is on the International Olympic Committee’s list of prohibited substance; athletes must not test positive for more than 12 micrograms of caffeine per milliliter of urine to participate in the Olympic Games.
Caffeine is a stimulant, dilating arteries and enhancing blood flow on the short term. It is also a diuretic, requiring your extra attention to the need to hydrate. So, go ahead and enjoy your brew, of course, in moderation without suffering adverse effects.
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