Coffee is probably one of the most popular brewed drinks among surfers. Because it wakes us up for early dawn patrols, and because it warms us up in those perfect winter morning swells.
A “cup of Joe” contains – apart from water – a healthy combination of caffeine, magnesium, riboflavin, phosphorus, thiamin, folate, potassium, sodium, carbohydrate, protein, pantothenic acid, choline, manganese, calcium, as well as polyunsaturated and saturated fat.
Confused? So, how do these ingredients will improve your surfing?
Coffee’s aromatic mystery is more than just a habit in our lives. It will inject the right amount of nutrients to help you surf better, more focused and with extra power.
The benefits of coffee in surfing are the following:
1. Less Muscle Pain: caffeine reduces perception of soreness and pain during physical exercise;
2. Delayed Exhaustion: caffeine blocks adenosine receptors;
3. Better Memory: a cup of coffee improves short-term and long-term memory;
4. More Muscle Power: caffeine boosts strength in muscles;
5. Increased Performance: caffeine enhances power output by 6 percent;
6. Accelerated Fat Loss: coffee’s ingredients help burn calories, and work as an appetite suppressant;
7. Improved Focus: caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, and increases brain functioning;
8. Disease Prevention: coffee’s nutrients have several protective factors against multiple health issues;
9. Improved Blood Circulation: moderate coffee drinking elevates your heart rate;
10. Enhanced Recovery After Exercise: caffeine increases muscle glycogen by 66 percent;
11. Low Risk of Type II Diabetes: high coffee consumption is associated with better glucose tolerance;
12. Powerful Protective Effects on The Liver: coffee drinking is linked with lower levels of enzymes that indicate liver inflammation and damage;
13. Huge Source of Antioxidants: coffee is number one weapon against free radicals;
14. Reduced Risk of Cancer: studies reveal that caffeinated coffee reduces risk of several types of cancer
15. Increased Adrenalin Production During Exercise: caffeine triggers the release of the hormone in the adrenal gland;
16. Lowered Risk of Death: coffee drinkers have a reduced risk of death from heart problems, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, pneumonia, and suicide;
Each surfer has a different reaction to coffee, but research concluded that caffeine is a healthy, effective brain stimulator and that a moderate caffeine intake (two-to-three cups, or 250 mg/day) will improve your overall physical performance.
Remember that caffeine is also available in many other food sources and drugs including hot chocolate, tea, cocoa products, dark chocolate, colas and other sodas, sunflower seeds, ice creams, diet pills, pain relievers, energy water, energy drinks, and even breath fresheners.
The side effects are also well known. High levels of caffeine in your body will cause insomnia, restlessness, vomiting, nervousness, increased heart rate, accelerated respiration, and high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.
Whenever possible, enjoy your coffee 60 minutes before a surf session. The ideal caffeine consumption is of 2-4 mg per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight, and the average cup of coffee contains 100 mg of caffeine. If you weigh 80 kg (176 pounds), your ideal caffeine intake per day is 240 mg, i.e., two cups of coffee.
