“[Caffeine] Do you really have the ability to be alert when someone is tired, and in many cases it enhances behavior, ”said Matthew W. Johnson, PhD, professor of psychology and behavioral science at Johns Hopkins.
“You can call that energy, but there must be a rebound effect when working with meaningful doses. So, you can say that it increases energy in the short run at long cost, up to a degree, ”he explains.
In fact, “cognitive and physical strength is a temporary gift that gives instant release caffeine,” * shared Ashley Jordan Ferreira, PhD, RDN, Vice President of Science at MBG. “Caffeine’s ‘crash’ event, or rebound effect, also has a high probability of being experienced with instant-free caffeine,” he explains.
But as it turns out, increased release caffeine exists. “These durable caffeine release profiles feature innovative absorption technology to flatten out the increased caffeine levels in your body, thereby prolonging efficacy, minimizing horrific crashes,” * Ferreira said. If you ask us, this seems to be the best of both worlds.
In the case of nutrition (i.e., where calories define metabolic energy), caffeine does not provide that type of nutrient 101 textbook energy at all. “Despite what it may seem like, caffeine intake does not increase cellular energy production (ATP) or provide fuel (e.g., protein, fat, carbohydrates) for muscle function,” shares Integrative Registered Dietitian Whitney Crouch, RDN. CLT
But Crouch highlights that caffeine’s energetic reputation lies in its true meaning: “Stimulating stimulating neurotransmitters, it makes the brain jump-start like adrenaline, which sends messages to the rest of the body to perform functions.” *