Caffeine and Sports Performance

Kevin Pietersen, England cricketer obviously believes that caffeine helps.

There is a constant debate in the sports nutrition community: Does the stimulant effect of caffeine outweigh its diuretic effects?

Today's New York Times carries an article that says that caffeine can improve performance. Frankly that is not really news, but it does represent a change in approach from the normal "caffeine is bad" coverage that normally occurs.

It also has commentary from a specialist sports nutritionist saying that with the right amount of caffeine with regular use, the diuretic effect is diminished.



Take a walk through your local health club or GNC and you will discover any number of caffeine-based sports stimulants: Products like Redline, Spikeshooter and Endorush all seek to maximize performance through caffeine. For me, I cannot take too much caffeine before a game - I lose concentration: So it ends up being a personal preference.

Of my own sporting heros, Kevin Pietersen, England cricketer consumes vast amounts of Red Bull while on the field, his flapping arms signal to the dressing room that he needs another drink (gives you wings... geddit?). And the impact on him... well there is the natural talent but that also probably helps. (See KP wack a cricket ball here).

Its good to see a more reasonable approach to caffeine in the mainstream media. But it is interesting that the whole article ignores energy drinks, focusing on coffee and coca cola. Was that done intentionally? May be the food police can only be pushed so much...