What You Need To Know About Caffeine

[Iraq Ninja]

Will,

What advantage does this powder have over plain old caffeine pills or gum? Have you tried taking the powder without water?

The tactical downside of caffeine is most notably that in the form of coffee, it may prevent blood clotting ("Effect of Coffee Drinking on Platelets: Inhibition of Aggregation and Phenols Incorporation," April 28, 2008 edition of the British Journal of Nutrition ), but pure caffeine doesn't.

Also, there is the problem of increased urine output. Not a problem for me, but we got guys on my team who are constantly pissing due to various supplements they are taking.

I think caffeine also raises blood pressure.

[WillBrink]

oops, yeah 5g's. That's what about a table spoon?

t spoon

[WillBrink]

Will,

What advantage does this powder have over plain old caffeine pills or gum?

None. Just convenience of being able to put it in what ever you are drinking.

Have you tried taking the powder without water?

I have not. I'd use a caff pill in that case.

The tactical downside of caffeine is most notably that in the form of coffee, it may prevent blood clotting ("Effect of Coffee Drinking on Platelets: Inhibition of Aggregation and Phenols Incorporation," April 28, 2008 edition of the British Journal of Nutrition ), but pure caffeine doesn't.

As outlined in the article, coffee does not have the same effects as caffeine, so moot issue in terms of using coffee for caffeine content.

Also, there is the problem of increased urine output. Not a problem for me, but we got guys on my team who are constantly pissing due to various supplements they are taking.

I think caffeine also raises blood pressure.

Generally dose dependent but not to be ignored for those with high BP.

[bsf]

Very interesting. The following is an excerpt from Graham TE, et al. Metabolic and exercise endurance effects of coffee and caffeine ingestion. J Appl Physiol 1998;85:883-9.

Figure 3 summarizes the results for endurance; caffeine capsule ingestion resulted in a significant increase in endurance time of 7.5-10 min compared with the other four trials. Six subjects had their longest run of all five trials after ingestion of caffeine capsules, seven had longer runs after caffeine compared with placebo capsules, and eight ran longer after caffeine ingestion compared with after they drank decaffeinated coffee. In sharp contrast, there were no differences among the three trials in which coffee was ingested, and the results were not different from the placebo capsule trial. This is surprising in light of the remarkably similar data for plasma caffeine and paraxanthine concentrations for the three caffeine trials. Within the three trials with coffee beverages, there was no consistency in performance time and no apparent tendency for any one beverage to produce an ergogenic effect. For example, within these trials, three subjects had their longest run after decaffeinated coffee, whereas the other six subjects were equally divided between the other two caffeinated beverages.

Let me summarize. Test subjects were administered decaffeinated coffee (DC); decaffeinated coffee plus caffeine (DC + C); regular coffee (RC); placebo (dextrose) capsules with water (PL); or caffeine capsules with water (CAF). Any subject administered any form of caffeine received 4.45 mg caffeine per kg body weight. They ran to voluntary exhaustion. The only apparent, statistically significant increase in performance was recorded after ingesting caffeine capsules with water.

[WillBrink]

The only apparent, statistically significant increase in performance was recorded after ingesting caffeine capsules with water.

A typical finding when the two are compared.

[Ironman8]

Will,

Does Green Tea have any of the same effects?

I have been taking Green Tea capsules mostly as a natural fat burner, and it seems to be working, but I don't know if that is what's been giving me energy.

I make my own pre-workout drink as well with:

-2g Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate
-2g Beta Alanine (love that "tingle" that it gives)
-4g BCAAs (2:1:1 Leucine:Isoleucine:Valine)

What do ya think? Should I add some caffeine powder/pills? What is a good source for caffeine pills?

[WillBrink]

Will,

Does Green Tea have any of the same effects?

It has different effects.

I have been taking Green Tea capsules mostly as a natural fat burner, and it seems to be working, but I don't know if that is what's been giving me energy.

I make my own pre-workout drink as well with:

-2g Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate
-2g Beta Alanine (love that "tingle" that it gives)
-4g BCAAs (2:1:1 Leucine:Isoleucine:Valine)

What do ya think? Should I add some caffeine powder/pills? What is a good source for caffeine pills?

If you are already making a drink, then why not use the powder? Caff pills can be found at any CVS, etc

[Ironman8]

It has different effects.



If you are already making a drink, then why not use the powder? Caff pills can be found at any CVS, etc

Will the Green Tea counter-balance the cafeine's effect? Or am I good to go taking both?

And I don't mind either pill or powder form...just as easy either way for me...basically it will come down to cost and effectiveness...which I believe you said pill form was just as effective as powder.

What do you think about these? http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/sf/cs.html

[Kuro Ookami]

I use caffeine pills, and you can find them at Walgreens or CVS or any drug store really.

[J-Dub]

ATM i'm trying to ween myself off of preworkout supps. Mainly Jack3d, which happens to have a good amount of caffine.

So far, it sucks. My workouts have been less intense and i feel like i dont have the energy drive.....

I might cave and pick up another tubb of the good stuff....or make my own with L-Arginine, Beta Alanine, BCAA's, and some caffine.