What’s The Best Coffee for Runners?

Have you ever wondered what the best coffee for runners is or if there is a difference between different coffee brands? This article will discuss that and much more.

A lot of runners also drink coffee, and many runners swear that a morning cup of coffee helps them when they are out pounding the pavement. Is it just a placebo, or can coffee actually be a performance-enhancing substance for runners?

Actually, there is evidence that shows that effects of caffeine can have a positive effect if taken pre-run and done in moderation. Thus, next time you’re about to put on your running shoes, consider the performance benefits of having a cup of joe about an hour before taking to the road or treadmill.

It won’t affect your athletic performance to the point where you can go from laying on the sofa to running a marathon, but it could give you that little boost you need to keep going a little longer. As long as you are going about it the right way, the benefits of coffee for runners are there for everyone to see, so read on to find out how you can enjoy them.

Is Coffee Good For Runners?

A 2008 study showed a modest increase in performance for 5K runners after consuming just a 5mg amount of caffeine. Other studies have shown improvements in endurance, recovery, and mental focus during runs as a result of caffeine consumption.

Coffee also shows signs of being healthy in general; while the jury is still out on whether those with hypertension can safely consume caffeine, the polyphenols and other compounds in coffee can provide some benefits for cancer prevention and memory. 

Of course, it’s best not to overdo caffeine before a normal run and especially not during race day, when you are pushing yourself that little bit harder. After all, it is a diuretic, and when running, hydration should always be a priority.

There are clear benefits of caffeine, but the last thing you need is to be stopping for urination breaks every mile while having to worry about hydration and replacing the electrolytes you lose. However, if you’re not overdoing your caffeine intake with a crazy amount of milligrams of caffeine, then it can actually be beneficial.

Does The Type of Coffee Matter?

If coffee is good for runners, is there a difference when it comes to the type of coffee? The good news is that the roast level doesn’t seem to make much of a difference in terms of how much coffee helps runners improve their performances. 

Some runners believe that a darker roast coffee–which tends to have slightly lower acidity–is better if you’re drinking your coffee right before the run. Lower acid coffees mean less of a possibility of acid reflux, which is definitely not something you’d want during a run.

Another factor to consider is whether the coffee beans have other ingredients added; some brands add supplements like ginseng or taurine to their beans, which could boost your performance even more.

It’s also best to avoid milky coffee drinks, such as lattes, cappuccinos, or mochas, pre-run. The added dairy won’t mix well with your morning run and will likely leave you feeling nauseous after a short distance.

Adding sugar may not be a good idea either. Without sugar, there’s less risk of a sugar crash, which can indeed help to boost your performance. Instead, for best results, stick with black regular coffee, espresso or drip coffee.

Bulletproof Coffee For Running Performance

If there’s no real difference between the boost you get from dark roast or light roast coffee beans, there might be something about the way you prepare your coffee that could help running performance. Studies are ongoing, but a few interesting results suggest that the way you take your coffee could make a difference.

Followers of the keto diet swear by a method called “bulletproof coffee.” The original Bulletproof coffee was a recipe and a product line developed by entrepreneur David Asprey, but the overall concept took off quickly: black coffee lightened with butter or coconut oil rather than sugar and/or milk.

While there has been no conclusive scientific proof, fans of the brew–many of them are runners–say that the high-fat content helps them run faster and for longer periods of time thancoffeee alone. Of course, the taste is slightly different from a regular cupcoffeeack coffee, so it’s not an option that suits all coffee drinkers.

5 Of The Best Coffees For Runners

If you want to see how mcoffeeffee can improve your performance, it’s a good idea to start with the brands that other runners prefer. For performance-boosting coffee, be on the lookout for additional ingredients and supplements, as well as preferred brewing methods.

Be careful whencoffeeng coffee with energy drinks or gels designed for runners, because some of those products also contain caffeine. Thus, consuming them together can lead to issues around blood pressure and the nervous system.

A few favorites include:

1. Death Wish Coffee

While the name may be a little off-putting, reviews by runners and coffee lovers alike suggest thatcoffeecoffee is strong and smooth, darkly roasted without tasting burned. The brand’s majcoffeeling point is the fact that they use a blend of robusta and arabica beans, resulting in double the caffeine of typical arabica coffee. It might be too much caffeine for some runners, while others love it.

The brand offers a satisfaction guarantee: if you don’t love the coffeecoffee are happy to refund your purchase. If you suffer from heart palpitations or coffee gives you the jitters, then it might be best to avoid this one. However, if you are a seasoned coffee-drinker, this could be the roast that brings your performance to the next level.

2. Stoked Roasters Instant Coffee

The Stoked Roasters and Coffeehouse brand was founded by ultramarathon runnercoffeeMariash, and the coffees all reflect that cultural background. Stoked instant coffee consistently gets high marks for flavor and consistency and standscoffee runners’ favorites everywcoffee

If you’re looking for a cup of joe to boost performance, surely the best option is to copy the coffee consumption of someone who has done it all before, and Josh Mariash fits into that bracket.

3. Kimera Koffee Ambecoffeet

Packed with vitamins and supplements like Taurine, DMAE, and L-theanine, Kimera Koffee claims that its ground coffee that has added health benefits. While the jury is still out on amino acids and other added incoffeents in brewed coffee, there are many that swear by coffeecoffee supplements already added, and Kimera Koffee has many satisfied customers.

In fact, it’s a coffee that runners swear by, with the effects of coffee from this particular brand being noted by many athletes. The good news is that also has a deliciously balanced taste, which you will want to enjoy not just on running days, but every other day of the year too.

4. Bulletproof Coffee

As we said, bulletproof coffee is an option that many runners are swearing by. Its popularity largely came from people on the keto diet, but it’s now found a new target market in cyclists, runners, and other endurance athletes.

The extra calories within the coffee can be good for a quick burst of energy, especially when paired with the caffeine that your receptors will be reacting to as well. Of course, the added oils won’t be for everyone, but it’s a type of coffee that should be tried at least once.

5. Shock Coffee

Shock coffee is a good option if you are a seasoned coffee drinker and want a slightly higher amount of caffeine than a regular cup, but still don’t want to have to deal with the side effects of a super high caffeine coffee like bulletproof. It provides the perfect middle ground.

It’s a flavorful cup that will leave you more hyped than your average energy drink, as it has 250 mg of caffeine per cup (opposed to bulletproof’s 472, or a normal cup’s 150mg). There are sweet chocolaty notes within this balanced cup, along with hints of hazelnut.