Caffeine

Caffeine is the world's most widely consumed psychoactive substance and one of the most well-researched supplements. A-GRADE evidence for aerobic exercise performance improvement (64 studies, 799 participants - moderate improvement). Also A-grades for cycling performance. B-GRADE for headache relief (5 studies, 1503 participants), sleep duration reduction (expected effect), and adrenaline increase. Works via adenosine receptor antagonism, increasing alertness and reducing fatigue perception. Safe for most adults at moderate doses (up to 400mg/day). Ergogenic effects are robust and well-established across endurance, strength, and cognitive domains.

Quick Answer

What it is

Caffeine is the world's most widely consumed psychoactive substance and one of the most well-researched supplements. A-GRADE evidence for aerobic exercise performance improvement (64 studies, 799 participants - moderate improvement).

Key findings

  • Grade A: Aerobic Exercise Metrics (Aerobic Exercise Performance)
  • Grade B: Agility (Aerobic Exercise Performance)
  • Grade B: Headaches (Pain Relief)

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts: Caffeine

Quick Facts: Caffeine

  • Best Evidence:Grade A
  • Conditions Studied:24
  • Research Outcomes:123
  • Grade A Findings:3
  • Grade B Findings:5
  • Key Effect:Aerobic Exercise Performance
Outcomes by grade:
A3
B5
C10
D1
24 conditions Β· 123 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

Grade:
Effect:
Size:
Sort:
|
A
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
Moderate Improvement
moderate↑Improves
B
Agility
Small Improvement
8 studies
small↑Improves
?
Strength
50 studies
↑Improves
?
Muscular Endurance
↑Improves
?
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
↑Worsens
?
Heart Rate
↑Worsens
?
Anaerobic Capacity
↑Improves
?
Oxygen Uptake
20 studies
↑Improves
?
Respiratory Exchange Ratio
18 studies
↑Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
↑Improves
?
Sprint Performance Metrics
15 studies
↑Improves
?
Exercise Capacity
14 studies
↑Improves
?
Jump Height
↑Improves
?
Breathing Rate
8 studies
↑Worsens
?
Blood glucose
1 study
↑Worsens
A
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
Moderate Improvement
moderate↑Improves
?
Strength
50 studies
↑Improves
?
Muscular Endurance
↑Improves
?
Anaerobic Capacity
↑Improves
?
Sprint Performance Metrics
15 studies
↑Improves
?
Exercise Capacity
14 studies
↑Improves
?
Jump Height
↑Improves
?
Agility
8 studies
↑Improves
A
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
Moderate Improvement
moderate↑Improves
?
Power Output
↑Improves
?
Anaerobic Capacity
↑Improves
?
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
↑Worsens
?
Cortisol
↑Worsens
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Heart Rate
↑Worsens
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Training Volume
↑Improves
B
Headaches
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Pain
↑Worsens
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
↑Improves
B
Sleep Duration
Small Decrease
small↓Worsens
?
Sleep Latency
19 studies
↑Worsens
?
Sleep Efficiency
4 studies
↑Improves
B
Adrenaline
Small Increase
small↑Improves
C
Anaerobic Capacity
Moderate Improvement
moderate↑Improves
?
Power Output
↑Improves
?
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
↑Worsens
?
Heart Rate
↑Worsens
?
Cortisol
↑Worsens
?
Testosterone
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Training Volume
↑Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↑Worsens
?
Fat Oxidation
1 study
↑Improves
?
Glycemic Control
↑Improves
?
Jump Height
↑Improves
?
Metabolic Rate
1 study
↑Improves
?
Oxygen Uptake
1 study
↑Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
↑Improves
?
Subjective Well-Being
↑Improves
?
Thermogenesis
↑Improves
B
Adrenaline
Small Increase
small↑Improves
C
Blood Flow
Small Increase
small↑Improves
C
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
Small Increase
small↑Worsens
C
Anaerobic Capacity
Moderate Improvement
moderate↑Improves
?
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
↑Worsens
?
Heart Rate
↑Worsens
?
Power Output
↑Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
↑Improves
?
Reaction Time
↑Improves
C
Cortisol
Small Increase
small↓Improves
?
Power Output
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
1 study
↑Improves
C
Cortisol
Small Increase
small↓Improves
?
Power Output
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Training Volume
↑Improves
C
Adrenaline
Small Increase
small↑Improves
?
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
↑Worsens
?
Fat Oxidation
1 study
↑Improves
?
Glycemic Control
↑Improves
C
Muscular Endurance
Small Improvement
small↑Improves
C
Headaches
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
C
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
Small Increase
small↑Worsens
?
Power Output
↑Improves
?
Cortisol
↑Worsens
?
Heart Rate
↑Worsens
?
Testosterone
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Training Volume
↑Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↑Worsens
?
Metabolic Rate
1 study
↑Improves
?
Subjective Well-Being
↑Improves
D
Appetite
No effect
1 study
none
?
Cortisol
↑Worsens
?
Processing Accuracy
16 studies
↑Improves
?
Processing Speed
16 studies
↑Improves
?
Reaction Time
↑Improves
?
Attention
6 studies
↑Improves
?
Cognition
↑Improves
?
Memory
↑Improves
?
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Detriment
small
?
Blood Pressure
↑Worsens
?
Executive Function
1 study
↑Improves
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Subjective Well-Being
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Verbal Learning
1 study
↑Improves
?
Visual acuity (VA)
↑Improves
?
Wakefulness
↑Worsens
?
Asthma Symptoms
↑Worsens
?
Reaction Time
↑Improves
?
Wakefulness
↑Worsens
?
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Detriment
small
?
Blood Pressure
↑Worsens
?
Memory
↑Improves
?
Subjective Well-Being
↑Improves
?
Anaerobic Capacity
↑Improves
?
Cognition
↑Improves
?
Adrenaline
↑Improves
?
Blood glucose
Small Detriment
1 study
small
?
Blood Pressure
↑Worsens
?
Glycemic Control
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Blood Pressure
↑Worsens
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
↑Improves

Evidence by Condition

Best grade per condition (each condition may have multiple outcomes)

AAerobic Exercise Performance
1
↑Aerobic Exercise MetricsImproves↑AgilityImproves↑StrengthImproves
AAnaerobic Exercise Performance
1
↑Aerobic Exercise MetricsImproves↑StrengthImproves↑Muscular EnduranceImproves
ACycling Performance
1
↑Aerobic Exercise MetricsImproves↑Power OutputImproves↑Anaerobic CapacityImproves
BGeneral Athletic Performance
1
↑AdrenalineImproves↑Anaerobic CapacityImproves↑Power OutputImproves
BMetabolic Health
1
↑AdrenalineImproves
BPain Relief
1
↓HeadachesImproves↑PainWorsens↑Rating of Perceived ExertionImproves
BSleep Health
1
↓Sleep DurationWorsens↑Sleep LatencyWorsens↑Sleep EfficiencyImproves
CRunning Performance
1
↑Anaerobic CapacityImproves↑Blood Lactate (Exercise)Worsens↑Heart RateWorsens
CLow Testosterone
1
↓CortisolImproves↑Power OutputImproves↑TestosteroneImproves
CRugby Performance
1
↓CortisolImproves↑Power OutputImproves↑TestosteroneImproves
CHealthy Muscle Aging
1
↑AdrenalineImproves↑Blood Lactate (Exercise)Worsens↑Fat OxidationImproves
CHigh-Altitude Performance
1
↑Muscular EnduranceImproves
CPostdural Puncture Headache
1
↓HeadachesImproves
CMuscle Size & Strength
1
↑Blood Lactate (Exercise)Worsens↑Power OutputImproves↑CortisolWorsens
DWeight Loss & Maintenance
1
Appetite↑CortisolWorsens

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