While I am on the coffee/caffeine theme (probably from my caffeine induced haze while working on my PhD written exams) here is some more news! There is some speculation and limited data to suggest that caffeine messes with insulin sensitivity, but COFFEE it seems does not and may actually IMPROVE it.
Even Major Coffee Drinking Not Seen as Mortality Risk
Another interesting study recently that was talked about a lot at ACSM recently, showed the highest rate of glycogen (stored sugars and water in the muscle and liver) synthesis RATE ever seen BUT they also used a lower carb amount than what is typically seen. End results? Probably nothing too new when all things are considered, but interesting from a mechanism/ "further research is needed" stand point.
HIGH RATES OF MUSCLE GLYCOGEN RESYNTHESIS AFTER EXHAUSTIVE EXERCISE WHEN CARBOHYDRATE IS CO-INGESTED WITH CAFFEINE
David J Pedersen1, Sarah J Lessard2, Vernon G Coffey3, Emmanuel G Churchley4, Andrew M Wootton4, They Ng5, Matthew J Watt6, and John A. Hawley7*
We determined the effects of the co-ingestion of caffeine with carbohydrate on rates of muscle glycogen resynthesis during recovery from exhaustive exercise in 7 trained subjects who completed 2 experimental trials in a randomized, double-blind crossover design. Prior to an experiment subjects performed exhaustive cycling and consumed a low-carbohydrate diet. The following morning subjects reported to the lab and rode until volitional fatigue. Upon completion of this ride subjects consumed either carbohydrate (CHO; 4 g.kg BM-1) or carbohydrate plus caffeine (CAFF, 8 mg.kg BM-1) during 4 h of passive recovery. Muscle and blood samples were taken throughout recovery. Muscle glycogen levels were similar at exhaustion and increased by a similar amount after 1 h of recovery. After 4 h of recovery CAFF resulted in higher glycogen accumulation (313 ± 69 vs. 234 ± 50 mmol±kg- d.w, P<0.001). style="font-weight: bold;">We provide the first evidence that in trained subjects, the coingestion of large amounts of caffeine with carbohydrate has an additive effect on rates on post-exercise muscle glycogen accumulation compared to when carbohydrate alone is consumed.
(my note--we don't know if there is a PERFORMANCE difference or not yet or if using higher amount of carbs makes a difference)
Interestingly enough, I was just reading Alan Aragon's Research Review last night, and low and behold he talked about this study! Get your butt over and pick up a copy HERE. I highly recommend it and I get no money for any referrals.
