There is some debate about the use of coffee on the Zone. There is quite a lot of evidence to support the fact that caffeine raises insulin levels in the body. Just how much caffeine causes this effect is at the heart of this debate. Sodas and sugary drinks with caffeine are definate no-no, but how about a cup of black coffee? Most of the research I have found states that having one cup of coffee or caffeinated tea per day will have little overall effect on your insulin levels. I am personally of the belief that my one morning cup of coffee does more to help than hurt me. I would love to hear your feedback on this subject! Post thoughts to comments.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Forbidden Fruit????
There is some debate about the use of coffee on the Zone. There is quite a lot of evidence to support the fact that caffeine raises insulin levels in the body. Just how much caffeine causes this effect is at the heart of this debate. Sodas and sugary drinks with caffeine are definate no-no, but how about a cup of black coffee? Most of the research I have found states that having one cup of coffee or caffeinated tea per day will have little overall effect on your insulin levels. I am personally of the belief that my one morning cup of coffee does more to help than hurt me. I would love to hear your feedback on this subject! Post thoughts to comments.
According to this site (WFS):
ReplyDeletehttp://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/291/10/1199-a
"As in previous studies,1 we found that excessive coffee drinking was associated with other variables that suggest an unhealthy lifestyle. After controlling for these variables, however, we found that both coffee and tea consumption were related to improved insulin sensitivity."
It's the sugar in the coffee that cause the decrease. Drink it black.
I've never had the "itis" like a plate of pancakes gives me after a cup of coffee. I tend to agree with them.
I agree with you....one cup in the morning seems to get me going..especially when a WOD is to follow.
ReplyDeleteIn my humble opinion....coffee is non-negotiable. It is a MUST! For sanity, if nothing else.
ReplyDeleteRobb Wolf swears that espresso and meat are 2 of the highest anti oxidant things you can put in your body...I am sticking to that.
ReplyDeletePersonally...coffee is the one thing I refuse to give up :) I am new to zone and it is working for me but I have not cut my coffee consumption at all. Perhaps that is an experiment for another day ? Right now people would not like me off-coffee...
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more Skip and Annie! You all would not want to see me at 6am every morning without my coffee first!
ReplyDeleteCoffee is an indispensable part of my morning!
ReplyDeleteWell, sorry to be the square peg here, but I am really against coffee. The reason is because when I drink it, and then I don't drink it for a few days, I get a terrible migraine headache. I've experimented in the past and know for sure that that's the cause -- and my sister has run the same experiment. So my thinking is, "Anything that gives me a migraine if I DON'T have it mustn't be that good for me." So that's it, I just stopped coffee.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'm any grouchier. I make up for it with cookies -- but that's another story.
Sounds like this crowd will be quite horrified by my anti-coffee sentiments, but you can all keep your addiction. My addiction: Crossfit, no cream, no sugar.
Jonny V-
ReplyDeleteI totally respect your choice to give up the coffee...I am not joining you anytime soon...but I still respect it.
COFFEE HATER !!!! GET HIM !!!! Oh sorry I must need another cup :)
ReplyDeleteSkip-
ReplyDeleteYou said it I didn't...yet!
Sarah says that we're not giving up our coffee! And because we live together, I'm sticking with her.
ReplyDeleteModeration is always the key to proper consumption.
ReplyDeleteCaffeine is often prescribed as a migraine remedy! I respect your choice John V....but that is what I have heard and experienced.
ReplyDeleteFrom my knowledge, migraines are caused by insulin spikes...did you put sugar in your coffee? AND teeth grinding at night. I am a migraine sufferer myself, and my night guard seems to put them at bay.
I could see how coffee might make you nervous and grind your teeth and that can possibly cause a migraine as well.
Whatever it takes...but some other options to look at.
caffeine constricts blood vessels, which may help alleviate a headache (migraine or otherwise), but headaches are definitely the most common withdrawl symptom of caffeine withdrawl, especially if your cessation of coffee is abrupt. so... everyone wins, coffee drinkers and coffee abstainers! :) melissa
ReplyDeleteWhile i experienced zone drift after the games . . . mmm french fries, I'm now back on the wagon.
ReplyDeleteTwo thoughts: one, you can have my coffee when you pry it from my cold dead hands . . .
Two: being deep in the zone, I needed waaaaay less coffee than I usually have. I'll drink about a pot before work and a couple cups there. But three-four weeks into the zone and it was cut in about half.