Coffee in Sports – Your Performance Partner
No Normal Coffee - the outdoor coffee in a tube that gives you a great energy boost when you need it most. But how exactly is coffee and sport connected? Let's dive in and find out.
The first rays of the sun paint the most beautiful, colorful patterns on the tent walls as he slowly, groggily unwinds from his sleeping bag. "Zzzzip," he opens the tent door, and the bright sunlight and crisp morning air rush in at the same time. With a gentle hiss, he opens the small thermos and pours the still hot and steaming water into his cup. The No Normal coffee paste dissolves, forming a frothy top. The first sip — a perfect kick for the next outdoor adventure!
Coffee is so much more than just a morning pick-me-up, it's also playing an increasingly significant role in sports and in enhancing performance. We often hear the words coffee and caffeine mentioned in the context of physical activity, especially in strength or endurance sports. But how exactly does coffee impact physical performance, and what should one consider?
In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at how coffee is used in sports and why it has become indispensable for many athletes. Especially since the idea of No Normal Coffee came about because we wanted to have a great cup of coffee with a bit of a boost to round up a wonderful outdoor adventure.
Coffee as an Energy Booster for Physical Activities
Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages globally, thanks to its stimulating effect on the central nervous system and its taste. The caffeine in coffee is valued as a natural energy source — whether to wake up, to combat that midday slump at work, or during sport. For many top athletes, coffee is a part of their training routine. It’s used as a legal performance enhancer.
But what’s important to know? We’ll now further explore aspects as the timing of coffee consumption, the right caffeine dosage, and the role of sugar in coffee for athletes.
Coffee Before a Workout
Caffeine is a well-researched performance enhancer that offers benefits for both strength and endurance training. It can reduce perceived exertion, making workouts feel more efficient. Overall key benefits of coffee before a physical activity include:
➤ Increased muscle strength and endurance
➤ Improved aerobic stamina
➤ Enhanced sprint, jump, and throw performance
➤ More effective use of fat as an energy source
➤ Heightened concentration and alertness
Caffeine is absorbed by the body within 45 minutes. Since the body redirects blood flow to the muscles during physical activity, away from the digestive system, allowing enough time for caffeine absorption is essential. Therefore, it’s recommended to drink coffee about 45–60 minutes before exercising to maximize its effects.
Coffee After a Workout
Coffee can also support recovery after a workout. It helps combat fatigue and speeds up recovery. Studies have shown that coffee, when combined with carbohydrates, promotes muscle glycogen resynthesis — helping muscles recover faster and preparing you better for your next training session. Additionally, coffee can alleviate muscle soreness and slow down muscle breakdown during rest periods.
Coffee has its benefits before and after exercise. You can drink it before, after or before AND after – whatever suits you best. Everyone reacts differently to coffee and caffeine, so there's no one-size-fits-all answer.
Coffee’s Role in Health
In addition to boosting performance in sports, coffee also offers health benefits. It contains antioxidants and important nutrients like B vitamins, riboflavin, and calcium. Studies suggest that moderate coffee consumption (up to three cups per day ~ max. 400mg of caffeine) may reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Caffeine also stimulates metabolism and promotes fat burning — a plus, even when not actively exercising.
Despite its many benefits, coffee can have side effects, such as nervousness, rapid heartbeat, sleep disturbances, or digestive issues – especially when having too much of it. However, estimating the exact caffeine content of each cup can be tricky, which can be problematic for people trying to optimize performance during sport. No Normal Coffee offers a practical solution: one serving (a tablespoon of the paste) contains 47 mg of caffeine, roughly equivalent to an espresso, providing a more precise dosage. In that sense – you could consume about 6-8 cups of no normal a day (max though).
Sugar in Coffee - A No-Go?
In the world of sports, coffee with sugar is often discouraged. But at No Normal Coffee, we've made it our mission to include sugar in our paste. Why? Endurance athletes, in particular, need enough carbs during intense efforts to keep their energy up. Philippe, our co-founder, is a marathon runner and Ironman competitor. He knows from experience how crucial sugar can be for staying energized during long competitions.
However, we opt to offer the ideal coffee for our outdoor enthusiasts and will surely be including some other versions of no normal coffee in the future ;)
Conclusion - Coffee is your performance partner
Although there are still discussions about whether coffee belongs in a healthy and balanced diet, more and more studies highlight the positive effects of coffee on health and athletic performance. Caffeine not only boosts energy and focus but also enhances fat burning, improves training performance, and aids in recovery.
For outdoor enthusiasts and sports people, No Normal Coffee offers a convenient solution: coffee in a tube that’s easy to carry and provides a tasty energy kick before, during, and after exercise — anytime, anywhere. Give it a try and see how coffee and training work for you!
References
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coffee-before-workout
https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/html/10.1055/s-0043-115007
https://www.nike.com/ch/a/kaffee-vor-dem-workout
https://www.nespresso.com/at/de/blog/fitness-kaffee
https://www.envivas.de/magazin/gesundheitswissen/sport-und-kaffee