By Kathy Stevens, Fitness Expert

Many caffeine lovers around the world will love hearing the news that besides waking you up in the morning, caffeine is a well-proven ergogenic aid.  Simply put, caffeine has a positive effect on your ability to perform certain types of exercise and sport activities.  Numerous studies have shown caffeine allows athletes to train longer and stronger. These effects have been found in activities that last as little as 60 seconds or as long as 2 hours. 

• Research provided by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has shown that ingestion of 3-9 mg of caffeine per kilogram (kg) of body weight one hour prior to exercise increased endurance running and cycling performance of well-trained, recreational athletes in the laboratory.  Read more about this study. [Click here]
• Several other studies have shown that caffeine can lessen the muscle pain experienced during exercise [Click here] .  This could be one reason why exercisers are able to continue working at high levels of intensity for longer periods of time.
• Furthermore recent research has shown that ingesting caffeine post training may help muscles recover quickly after a major workout or competition. In one such study it was found that a combination of carbohydrates and caffeine post high endurance activity favors the replenishment of muscle glycogen (primary muscle fuel source) by 66%.  Read study. [Click here] 

Caffeine is found in many of the products we love to consume such as coffee, tea, chocolate and soda.  But hold on before you refill that cup of java; it should be noted that the ingestion of caffeine in the form of coffee appears to be ineffective compared to the use of pure caffeine sources found in sports drinks and tablets. It is believed that there is some other chemical in coffee may counteract the sports enhancing effects.  Instead of a cup of coffee, an energy shot containing small amounts of natural caffeine is the better choice and it is much easier on your stomach before working out or playing sports.

It is important to keep in mind that although a reasonable amount of caffeine (25 to 200 mg) is believed to yield positive sports related benefits, too much caffeine can have undesirable and unhealthful side effects.  Overdoing it can make you feel anxious and jittery, disrupt sleep, increase blood pressure and heart rate, give you heartburn and stomach ulcers, and cause dehydration. Caffeine can also have an addictive effect on the body, causing withdrawal effects such as headaches and extreme sluggishness when you try to give it up. 

Some studies have raised safety concerns in the area of caffeine usage in patients with reduced coronary flow reserve, as seen in coronary artery disease, particularly before physical exercise and at high-altitude exposure. Read more [Click here]

Wellesse ALL DAY Energy shot with B Complex vitamins is an excellent source of the B Vitamins you need while getting a healthy energy boost at the same time.  ALL DAY Energy is formulated with just the right amount of caffeine, 100 mg, and all the right B’s and antioxidants such as Green Tea for a sustained, healthy energy level.  You can feel good about drinking an energy drink without all the added sugar or artificial ingredients of other leading drinks.  It’s energy the natural way!