It is hypothesized in some studies that caffeine can be used to increase fat metabolism. There is also some evidence that caffeine can have a neural influence improving performance.

This week’s question considers the healthy non athlete adult (ie- no cardiovascular problems, not pregnant, etc) who is physically active for health and wellness reasons. It is divided into two parts:

QUESTIONS: Please note the specific info on dosages.  This means info on caffeine intake that is >300mg/day is interesting, but not pertinent to what the questions ask.

PART 1: is there any neural benefit (improved alertness, improved neuromuscular recruitment, etc) for a non athlete to ingest moderate amounts of caffeine prior to and/or during their activities? (consider moderate to be 300 mg or less).  Notice specifically the limitations a) neural benefits and b) 300 mg/day or less.  Keep in mind that some research reports caffeine intake in relative terms (mg/kg), so you will need to convert this to absolute terms.  For example a 6 mg/kg relative dose in a 60 kg subject would be an absolute dose of 360 mg.

PART 2: for the healthy non athlete are there any risk factors for consuming moderate levels of caffeine daily (moderate = 300 mg per day or less).

Key points to remember:

– Part 1 asks about neural benefits

– Both parts asks about non athletes

– Both parts ask about the effects of doses less than 300 mg/day.  This means using research that examining the effects of intakes greater than 300 mg/day is not a pertinent for what the questions ask.