[Printer Friendly Version]   [How to E-mail This Article to A Friend]

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 3: Caffeine Changes Carbohydrate Absorption

Researchers at The University of Birmingham in England released a study looking at the effects caffeine has on athletes on Wednesday, June 22, 2005. Their findings show that caffeine helps athletes absorb more carbohydrates during strenuous activity. Athletes drinking caffeinated beverages are able to absorb 26% more carbohydrates than athletes drinking non-caffeinated beverages, such as water or fruit juices.

Carbohydrates are found in many foods we eat, especially breads, pastas, and fruits. They are a main source of energy for our bodies. Caffeine is a stimulant found in soda pop, coffee, and tea. A stimulant like caffeine temporarily energizes and speeds up reactions in our bodies.

The study might prove that athletes drinking caffeinated beverages have an unfair advantage over athletes that do not. But the researchers said the study does not prove that caffeine is a performance enhancing substance. Dr. Asker Jeukendrup is the director of the human performance laboratory at the University. He said that drinking caffeinated beverages allows the body to keep its own carbohydrate stores.

"We didn’t even measure performance, and also this is just a way to increase the availability of carbohydrates," said Dr. Jeukendrup to an Associated Press reporter. "There are other ways of increasing carbohydrates. The simplest way would be to just ingest [eat or drink] more carbohydrates."

--Written by Sarah Kurachek

Write your own story telling us what you think about this article!

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 1: Virtual Summer School