In Australia, tests of athletes who consumed low amounts of caffeine showed they could train 30 percent longer than athletes who did not drink coffee. The results were also 36% higher than usual.
The effect of caffeine on fat metabolism was discovered by scientists studying exercise performance. They found that cyclists who drank mild coke or coffee during races rode faster and farther than those who drank water.
Jane griffin, a sports nutritionist and consultant to britain's olympic team, said the findings could be important for anyone who exercises regularly. "A cup of coffee or cola, when absorbed by the body, can quickly promote fat dissolution into the bloodstream, allowing the body to use fat as its primary source of energy before converting limited carbohydrate reserves into energy," she said. "
