Yes, it’s OK to drink coffee before working out—and, even better, it could help improve your performance, according to experts from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN).
A position statement from the ISSN states that drinking coffee leads to neuromuscular, antioxidant, endocrine, cognitive, and metabolic effects that can impact exercise performance and recovery. These experts recommend drinking coffee about one hour before exercise to help improve endurance/athletic performance in healthy men and women.
Additionally, an umbrella review of 21 published meta-analyses showed that caffeine consumption can help improve performance in a broad range of activities, including aerobic exercises like running and cycling, high intensity interval exercises, and strength training. Researchers suggest that drinking two cups of coffee about one hour before exercising is a useful strategy to boost performance for most people. (You can also drink coffee after a workout!)
(A meta-analysis examines data from multiple independent studies on the same subject to identify broader trends, and an umbrella review examines multiple meta-analyses for the same purpose.)
Coffee can help boost athletic performance—if you’d like to take a deeper dive into the science of coffee and health, browse our research library.
All information presented is general and not intended as a substitute for individualized healthcare or advice. Please consult your healthcare provider about your personal health.
