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Dr. Grey AI

Supplement

Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant in coffee and tea that blocks adenosine, a brain chemical that builds up and makes you feel tired. People mostly look at it for athletic performance, and the evidence is strong for aerobic exercise, where trials found endurance measures improved, with agility improving too. The agility findings came from small studies, and evidence for sprint-type efforts was limited.

Sources: PMID 30926628; PMID 21120518

Best evidence
Grade A
Conditions studied
26
Outcomes
123
Graded outcomes
35101

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

26 conditions

Aerobic Exercise Performance: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Aerobic Exercise Metrics

Moderate Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect4 studies799 people
Agility

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect206 people
Anaerobic CapacityImproves (the measure goes up)5 studies298 people
Blood Lactate (Exercise)Changes; see studies4 studies416 people
Heart RateChanges; see studies4 studies414 people
Rating of Perceived ExertionImproves (the measure goes up)3 studies294 people
Jump HeightImproves (the measure goes up)1 study145 people
Muscular EnduranceImproves (the measure goes up)1 study627 people
Blood glucoseChanges; see studies450 people
Breathing RateChanges; see studies146 people
Exercise CapacityImproves (the measure goes up)352 people
Oxygen UptakeImproves (the measure goes up)406 people
Respiratory Exchange RatioImproves (the measure goes up)362 people
Sprint Performance MetricsImproves (the measure goes up)396 people
StrengthImproves (the measure goes up)904 people

Anaerobic Exercise Performance: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Aerobic Exercise Metrics

Moderate Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect4 studies799 people
Anaerobic CapacityImproves (the measure goes up)5 studies298 people
Jump HeightImproves (the measure goes up)1 study145 people
Muscular EnduranceImproves (the measure goes up)1 study627 people
AgilityImproves (the measure goes up)206 people
Exercise CapacityImproves (the measure goes up)352 people
Sprint Performance MetricsImproves (the measure goes up)396 people
StrengthImproves (the measure goes up)904 people

Cycling Performance

  • Aerobic Exercise Metrics: improves
  • Anaerobic Capacity: improves
  • Blood Lactate (Exercise): changes; see studies
Cycling Performance: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Aerobic Exercise Metrics

Moderate Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect4 studies218 people
Anaerobic CapacityImproves (the measure goes up)5 studies36 people
Blood Lactate (Exercise)Changes; see studies4 studies17 people
Heart RateChanges; see studies4 studies16 people
Power OutputImproves (the measure goes up)3 studies183 people
Rating of Perceived ExertionImproves (the measure goes up)3 studies12 people
CortisolChanges; see studies1 study9 people
Training VolumeImproves (the measure goes up)1 study10 people
Fatigue SymptomsChanges; see studies9 people
TestosteroneImproves (the measure goes up)9 people

General Athletic Performance

  • Adrenaline: improves
  • Anaerobic Capacity: improves
  • Blood Lactate (Exercise): changes; see studies
General Athletic Performance: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Adrenaline

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect2 studies38 people
Anaerobic Capacity

Moderate Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect5 studies20 people
Blood Lactate (Exercise)Changes; see studies4 studies53 people
Heart RateChanges; see studies4 studies35 people
Power OutputImproves (the measure goes up)3 studies79 people
Rating of Perceived ExertionImproves (the measure goes up)3 studies10 people
Blood PressureChanges; see studies2 studies12 people
CortisolChanges; see studies1 study40 people
Glycemic ControlImproves (the measure goes up)1 study30 people
Jump HeightImproves (the measure goes up)1 study14 people
Subjective Well-BeingImproves (the measure goes up)1 study13 people
ThermogenesisImproves (the measure goes up)1 study13 people
Training VolumeImproves (the measure goes up)1 study29 people
Fat OxidationImproves (the measure goes up)30 people
Metabolic RateImproves (the measure goes up)12 people
Oxygen UptakeImproves (the measure goes up)10 people
TestosteroneImproves (the measure goes up)40 people

Metabolic Health

  • Adrenaline: improves
Metabolic Health: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Adrenaline

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect2 studies42 people

Sleep Health

  • Sleep Duration: worsens
  • Sleep Efficiency: improves
  • Sleep Latency: changes; see studies
Sleep Health: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Sleep Duration

Small Decrease

Worsens (the measure goes down)Small effect2 studies80 people
Sleep EfficiencyImproves (the measure goes up)80 people
Sleep LatencyChanges; see studies252 people

Pain Relief

  • Headaches: improves
  • Rating of Perceived Exertion: improves
  • Pain: changes; see studies
Pain Relief: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Headaches

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect1 study1,503 people
Rating of Perceived ExertionImproves (the measure goes up)3 studies15 people

Studies that measured rating of perceived exertion

PainChanges; see studies1 study4,262 people

Studies that measured pain

Running Performance

  • Anaerobic Capacity: improves
  • Reaction Time: improves
  • Blood Lactate (Exercise): changes; see studies
Running Performance: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anaerobic Capacity

Moderate Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect5 studies10 people
Reaction TimeImproves (the measure goes up)5 studies10 people
Blood Lactate (Exercise)Changes; see studies4 studies21 people
Heart RateChanges; see studies4 studies21 people
Power OutputImproves (the measure goes up)3 studies21 people
Rating of Perceived ExertionImproves (the measure goes up)3 studies21 people

Muscle Size Strength

  • Blood Lactate (Exercise): worsens
Muscle Size Strength: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood Lactate (Exercise)

Small Increase

Worsens (the measure goes up)Small effect4 studies13 people

Muscle Size & Strength

  • Blood Lactate (Exercise): worsens
  • Heart Rate: changes; see studies
  • Power Output: improves
Muscle Size & Strength: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood Lactate (Exercise)

Small Increase

Worsens (the measure goes up)Small effect4 studies13 people
Heart RateChanges; see studies4 studies25 people
Power OutputImproves (the measure goes up)3 studies79 people
Blood PressureChanges; see studies2 studies12 people
CortisolChanges; see studies1 study40 people
Subjective Well-BeingImproves (the measure goes up)1 study13 people
Training VolumeImproves (the measure goes up)1 study29 people
Metabolic RateImproves (the measure goes up)12 people
TestosteroneImproves (the measure goes up)40 people

Healthy Muscle Aging

  • Adrenaline: improves
  • Blood Lactate (Exercise): changes; see studies
  • Glycemic Control: improves
Healthy Muscle Aging: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Adrenaline

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect2 studies30 people
Blood Lactate (Exercise)Changes; see studies4 studies30 people
Glycemic ControlImproves (the measure goes up)1 study30 people
Fat OxidationImproves (the measure goes up)30 people

General Cardiovascular Health

  • Blood Flow: improves
General Cardiovascular Health: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood Flow

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect1 study80 people

Low Testosterone

  • Cortisol: improves
  • Power Output: improves
  • Testosterone: improves
Low Testosterone: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Cortisol

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect1 study16 people
Power OutputImproves (the measure goes up)3 studies16 people
TestosteroneImproves (the measure goes up)16 people

Rugby Performance

  • Cortisol: improves
  • Power Output: improves
  • Training Volume: improves
Rugby Performance: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Cortisol

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect1 study16 people
Power OutputImproves (the measure goes up)3 studies16 people
Training VolumeImproves (the measure goes up)1 study16 people
TestosteroneImproves (the measure goes up)16 people

High-Altitude Performance

  • Muscular Endurance: improves
High-Altitude Performance: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Muscular Endurance

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect1 study8 people

Postdural Puncture Headache

  • Headaches: improves
Postdural Puncture Headache: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Headaches

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect1 study94 people

Weight Loss & Maintenance

  • Appetite
  • Cortisol: changes; see studies
Weight Loss & Maintenance: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Appetite

No effect

NoneNo effect16 people
CortisolChanges; see studies1 study16 people

Rowing Performance

  • Anaerobic Capacity: improves
Rowing Performance: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anaerobic CapacityImproves (the measure goes up)5 studies8 people

Focus & Attention

  • Memory: improves
  • Reaction Time: improves
  • Blood Pressure: changes; see studies
Focus & Attention: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
MemoryImproves (the measure goes up)5 studies102 people
Reaction TimeImproves (the measure goes up)5 studies166 people
Blood PressureChanges; see studies2 studies102 people
Anxiety Symptoms

Small Detriment

Worsens (the measure goes up)Small effect1 study400 people
Subjective Well-BeingImproves (the measure goes up)1 study102 people
WakefulnessChanges; see studies1 study124 people

Cognitive Improvement

  • Memory: improves
  • Reaction Time: improves
  • Blood Pressure: changes; see studies
Cognitive Improvement: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
MemoryImproves (the measure goes up)5 studies20 people
Reaction TimeImproves (the measure goes up)5 studies988 people
Blood PressureChanges; see studies2 studies102 people
Anxiety Symptoms

Small Detriment

Worsens (the measure goes up)Small effect1 study400 people
CognitionImproves (the measure goes up)1 study40 people
Subjective Well-BeingImproves (the measure goes up)1 study102 people
Visual acuity (VA)Improves (the measure goes up)1 study13 people
WakefulnessChanges; see studies1 study102 people
AttentionImproves (the measure goes up)211 people
Executive FunctionImproves (the measure goes up)988 people
Fatigue SymptomsChanges; see studies13 people
Processing AccuracyImproves (the measure goes up)988 people
Processing SpeedImproves (the measure goes up)988 people
TestosteroneImproves (the measure goes up)13 people
Verbal LearningImproves (the measure goes up)224 people

Muscle Recovery

  • Rating of Perceived Exertion: improves
Muscle Recovery: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Rating of Perceived ExertionImproves (the measure goes up)3 studies15 people
Warm- or Hot-Weather Exercise Performance: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
AdrenalineImproves (the measure goes up)2 studies8 people

Type 2 Diabetes

  • Blood Pressure: changes; see studies
  • Glycemic Control: improves
  • Insulin: changes; see studies
Type 2 Diabetes: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood PressureChanges; see studies2 studies45 people
Glycemic ControlImproves (the measure goes up)1 study45 people
InsulinChanges; see studies1 study45 people
Blood glucose

Small Detriment

Worsens (the measure goes up)Small effect45 people
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)45 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Changes; see studies45 people
TriglyceridesChanges; see studies45 people

High Blood Pressure

  • Blood Pressure: changes; see studies
High Blood Pressure: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood PressureChanges; see studies2 studies110 people

Fatigue

  • Cognition: improves
Fatigue: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
CognitionImproves (the measure goes up)1 study20 people

Asthma

  • Asthma Symptoms: changes; see studies
Asthma: outcomes studied for Caffeine
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Asthma SymptomsChanges; see studies1 study75 people

What the published studies found

5 automated readings

Automated reading of the published studies (Decosa evidence engine), for outcomes Dr. Grey has not graded yet. It is not a Dr. Grey grade and does not change one. How it is read

Key findings

  • Aerobic Exercise MetricsAerobic Exercise PerformanceImproves (the measure goes up)
  • AdrenalineGeneral Athletic PerformanceImproves (the measure goes up)
  • Sleep DurationSleep HealthWorsens (the measure goes down)

Shop the evidence-backed picks

Third-party tested Caffeine products, in the forms the graded studies used where we can match them.

  • Grade A

Links to Fullscript, iHerb or Thorne carry our referral, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come from the research and never change based on what we earn. Fullscript asks for a free account before it shows its catalog and prices. Full disclosure

Studies cited

54 studies from PubMed

  1. Effects of 1,3-dimethylamylamine and caffeine alone or in combination on heart rate and blood pressure in healthy men and womenPhys Sportsmed · PMID 22030947
  2. Ergogenic effect of varied doses of coffee-caffeine on maximal aerobic power of young African subjectsAfr Health Sci · PMID 21503180
  3. The effect of caffeine ingestion on mood state and bench press performance to failureJ Strength Cond Res · PMID 21157384
  4. Effect of Caffeine on LT, VT and HRVTInt J Sports Med · PMID 22499570
  5. Metabolic effects of caffeine ingestion and physical work in 75-year old citizens. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over studyClin Endocrinol · PMID 16886964
  6. Dose response effects of a caffeine-containing energy drink on muscle performance: a repeated measures designJ Int Soc Sports Nutr · PMID 22569090
  7. Acute caffeine ingestion increases voluntarily chosen resistance training load following limited sleepInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 22349085
  8. Effects of caffeine on the metabolic and catecholamine responses to exercise in 5 and 28 degrees CMed Sci Sports Exerc · PMID 8201901
  9. Caffeine ingestion reverses the circadian rhythm effects on neuromuscular performance in highly resistance-trained menPLoS One · PMID 22496767
  10. Effect of two doses of caffeine on muscular function during isokinetic exerciseMed Sci Sports Exerc · PMID 20421833
  11. Dose effect of caffeine on testosterone and cortisol responses to resistance exerciseInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 18458357
  12. The effects of low-dose caffeine on perceived pain during a grip to exhaustion taskJ Strength Cond Res · PMID 21522070
  13. Caffeine increases sweating sensitivity via changes in sudomotor activity during physical loadingJ Med Food · PMID 21883004
  14. Effects of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee on biological risk factors for type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trialNutr J · PMID 21914162
  15. Caffeine and sprinting performance: dose responses and efficacyJ Strength Cond Res · PMID 22388491
  16. Effects of caffeine on prolonged intermittent-sprint ability in team-sport athletesMed Sci Sports Exerc · PMID 16540848
  17. Caffeinated chewing gum increases repeated sprint performance and augments increases in testosterone in competitive cyclistsEur J Appl Physiol · PMID 20737165
  18. The effects of different doses of caffeine on endurance cycling time trial performanceJ Sports Sci · PMID 22142020
  19. Effect of caffeine ingestion on time trial performance in cyclists: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Int Soc Sports Nutr · PMID 38836626
  20. Effect of ambient temperature on caffeine ergogenicity during endurance exerciseEur J Appl Physiol · PMID 21120518
  21. The influence of a CYP1A2 polymorphism on the ergogenic effects of caffeineJ Int Soc Sports Nutr · PMID 22420682
  22. Caffeine ingestion, affect and perceived exertion during prolonged cyclingAppetite · PMID 21605608
  23. Effect of caffeine intake on pain perception during high-intensity exerciseInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 21411832
  24. Caffeine as an analgesic adjuvant for acute pain in adultsCochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 25502052
  25. Caffeine for the prevention of injuries and errors in shift workers.Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 20464765
  26. Caffeine enhances working memory for extravertsBiol Psychol · PMID 20816912
  27. Comparing the benefits of caffeine, naps and placebo on verbal, motor and perceptual memoryBehav Brain Res · PMID 18554731
  28. Subjective, behavioral, and physiological effects of acute caffeine in light, nondependent caffeine usersPsychopharmacology · PMID 16541243
  29. Effects of caffeine and glucose, alone and combined, on cognitive performanceHum Psychopharmacol · PMID 20521321
  30. Effects of acute caffeine consumption following sleep loss on cognitive, physical, occupational and driving performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurosci Biobehav Rev · PMID 31837359
  31. Effect of caffeine on reactive agility time when fresh and fatiguedMed Sci Sports Exerc · PMID 21266929
  32. Effects of Nutritional Interventions on Accuracy and Reaction Time with Relevance to Mental Fatigue in Sporting, Military, and Aerospace Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health · PMID 35010566
  33. Effect of caffeine on target detection and rifle marksmanshipErgonomics · PMID 14668172
  34. Association of the anxiogenic and alerting effects of caffeine with ADORA2A and ADORA1 polymorphisms and habitual level of caffeine consumptionNeuropsychopharmacology · PMID 20520601
  35. Caffeine: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of its thermogenic, metabolic, and cardiovascular effects in healthy volunteersAm J Clin Nutr · PMID 2333832
  36. Caffeine can decrease insulin sensitivity in humansDiabetes Care · PMID 11815511
  37. Effects of caffeine on glucose tolerance: a placebo-controlled studyEur J Clin Nutr · PMID 9846599
  38. Caffeine ingestion decreases glucose disposal during a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp in sedentary humansDiabetes · PMID 11574419
  39. Caffeinated coffee does not acutely affect energy intake, appetite, or inflammation but prevents serum cortisol concentrations from falling in healthy menJ Nutr · PMID 21346100
  40. Influence of caffeine on perception of effort, metabolism and exercise performance following a high-fat mealJ Sports Sci · PMID 16815783
  41. Impact of acute caffeine ingestion on endothelial function in subjects with and without coronary artery diseaseAm J Cardiol · PMID 21349479
  42. Caffeine and opening the eyes have additive effects on resting arousal measuresClin Neurophysiol · PMID 21489866
  43. Effects of diurnal variation and caffeine consumption on Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) performance in healthy young adultsPsychol Assess · PMID 21244169
  44. Caffeine supplementation and multiple sprint running performanceMed Sci Sports Exerc · PMID 18799995
  45. Effects of caffeine on repeated sprint ability, reactive agility time, sleep and next day performanceJ Sports Med Phys Fitness · PMID 21178933
  46. Genetic determinants of blood pressure responses to caffeine drinkingAm J Clin Nutr · PMID 22170367
  47. Caffeine and Physiological Responses to Submaximal Exercise: A Meta-AnalysisInt J Sports Physiol Perform · PMID 28872376
  48. Wake up and smell the coffee: caffeine supplementation and exercise performance-an umbrella review of 21 published meta-analysesBr J Sports Med · PMID 30926628
  49. Effects of acute ingestion of caffeine on team sports performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Res Sports Med · PMID 30518253
  50. Caffeine for asthma.Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 20091514
  51. The Effect of Consuming Caffeine Before Late Afternoon/Evening Training or Competition on Sleep: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.Sports · PMID 41003623
  52. The effect of caffeine on subsequent sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Sleep Med Rev · PMID 36870101
  53. The Prophylactic Effect of Acetaminophen and Caffeine on Post Dural Puncture Headache after Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Section: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial.Iran J Med Sci · PMID 39371383
  54. The Effect of Pre-Exercise Caffeine and Glucose Ingestion on Endurance Capacity in Hypoxia: A Double-Blind Crossover Trial.Nutrients · PMID 39519456