Caffeine Drinks

Your OTC Miracle Drug-Caffeine Drinks

Scientists have discovered new benefits from aspirin.  They’re also finding surprising ways that another common drug like—caffeine can give us a boost in the health department.

Exercise easier. New research suggests that caffeine drinks makes exercising easier.  It inhibits spinal nerves that transmit pain messages to the brain. Now, in plain English: You can beat the muscle burn you typically feel during workouts with a cup or two of coffee beforehand. (Just check with your doctor if you have any complicating health concerns—like high blood pressure.)

Relieve minor aches and pains even when you’re not exercising with caffeine drinks.   Caffeine can act as a mild pain-reliever. That’s why it’s listed as an ingredient in many OTC pain-relief medications.

Head off a headache. Taking caffeine and ibuprofen relieves headaches more effectively than taking ibuprofen alone. The amount of caffeine in two cups of coffee seems to do the trick.

Rev your metabolism. Caffeine and exercising stimulates the nervous system, which helps you burn calories.

Soothe a hangover. If you grab a caffeine drink  after a night of a little too much wine, your instinct is right. Caffeine constricts blood vessels, which can help relieve that headache and morning-after feeling.

Recharge your day. To beat an energy dip in the afternoon, try sipping 2 oz. of  a coffee every hour from 10 AM until 2 PM. Even that small amount will get you through.

Stop an asthma attack. If you’re caught without your medication, have a drink with caffeine. The caffeine drink may open narrowed bronchial tubes.

Save your memory. The research is preliminary, but there’s some evidence that coffee may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Older women who drink 3 or more  caffeine drinks  per day were 70% less likely to have forgetfulness than those who didn’t drink a cup of coffee.

But before you go over board keep in mind that caffeine is a drug. Too much will make your life feel even more stressful. Caffeine drinks will also disrupt sleep, which can bring on a world of health problems. So keep caffeine to a level you can handle without any nasty side effects. If specialty coffees are your caffeine drink, you should know that the typical fancy latte contains 210 calories and 11 grams of fat. Drink that every day instead of plain, and you’ll be getting an extra 73,000 calories (or the equivalent of 21 pounds) per year! It’s ok to have caffeine drinks before exercising.  (Check with  your physician before starting any exercise program.)