Juiced on Java

Before heading out to your local vitamin/supplement store, consider adding nature's own energy supplement to your diet. Coffee has been used by many fitness enthusiasts, but its also been given a bad rap in the past. Studies have shown coffee raises your blood pressure and heart rate which can lead to heart problems during and after exercise. Coffee has a strong dose of caffeine which can lead many to become addicted and numb to its powerful effects.

For many, people either drink tea or coffee. This is in no way to demote tea; it has other powerful components that also have benefits. Green tea is a chock full of strong antioxidants that protect the body from disease and keep your mind and body young and sharp. Black tea also gives the caffeine boost you need but also the added benefit of antioxidants which will enhance your concentration and lower cholesterol.

For best results, drink coffee on your training days. At least 1 1/2 before your workout and a follow-up cup of coffee later in the day. Check out what coffee can bring to your A-game:

1. Acelerates energy. Caffeine is a natural stimulant that fuels your muscles and gives you the extra boost you need at the gym. Australian researchers have found that even a small amount of coffee allowed athletes to perform up to a third longer than those who took no caffeine.

2. Raises metabolism. Coffee contains caffeine which has proven effects to raise metabolism and burn fat.

3. Aids recovery. Studies have shown that caffeine aids in uptake of glucose and insulin to muscle tissue which fuels your muscles faster and keeps you from walking around sore the next day.

4. Decreases risk of dementia. The New York Times recently released an article about Danish and Swedish researches who conducted a study of the effects of coffee on 1,409 middle-aged men and women. Studies showed that over the period of 20 years only 61 people showed signs of dementia and only 41 were diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.

5. Lowers risk of type 2 Diabetes. Dr. Kivipelto from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm suggests that this is one of the primary reasons why coffee is able to lower risk of dementia. One of the reasons may be that coffee has an antioxidant effect in the bloodstream.