For some people it can have a significant performance-enhancing effect (especially if, like you say, they don't normally consume it or abstain for a while then take it prior to a race).
One thing I was surprised about in a way is that coffee is the world's biggest source of antioxidants.
Apparently it provides more antioxidants than any other food or drink in the US diet. Other foods have more per g but it's the overall amount consumed that swings it.
There are mixed opinions about coffee. Studies show that coffee provides more antioxidants in the diet than any food group. Photo credit: Shutterstock Some believe it is healthy and energizing, while others claim it is addict...
Anyway... OP - what do you think? A total ban? Or a different level?
Personally I think it's OK and trying to ban it would create a load of problems that just aren't worth it. We have bigger problems. The limit should be somewhere that basically indicates that normal use - a few cups - is fine, but say having eight or twenty isn't.
Caffeine is not a PED unless you're the sort to show up at the starting line sleepy. Maybe you don't care and have no adrenaline or fear to hype you up.
So they do tests on random sample and 20% of them are sleepy so they find some slight overall effect. Big deal. You could get the same effect by someone grabbing their shoulders and shaking them and screaming "wake up!"
So this is not a real drug, just a substitute for motivating yourself into an energetic mood. Can't make you do anything you couldn't do naturally.
Amphetamines CAN... basically long-term adrenaline that never lets up, removing physiological barriers to overexertion.
removing physiological barriers to overexertion? Explain? Or try to explain at least.
Note the reference to adrenaline.
Normally, say you run an 800 and start to tie up, your nervous system is shutting down on you to avoid damaging your body. Life or death situation it won't do that.
