The positive effects of caffeine are well known and documented ranging from improved mental alertness, increased power output, increased anaerobic efficiency and raised metabolic rates. If you’re one of the people troubled by digestive issues when taking Caffeine Anhydrous a perfect substitute would be Caffeine Malate.
I will be the first to tell you that Caffeine is the only ingredient you need for a pre-workout supplement.
I’m not saying that there isn’t other beneficial products you can add along with it, but if your supplement budget is low or your worried about using all of these different products than a caffeine pill or double shot of espresso will do just fine kicking your workout into a higher gear.
What Is Caffeine Malate
It’s made by a company named Creative Compounds LLC through a process where they Ionically bond caffeine and Malic acid, it contains 75% caffeine and 25% Malic acid.
Creative compounds holds the license to make Caffeine Malate but it was first used by Coca Cola when Cocaine was originally deemed illegal and the company had to find a substitute.
What Does It Do
You still receive all of the perks from caffeine, but the one difference is the malic acid helps limit the digestive issues that many people experience from natural and anhydrous caffeines.
Plus the ionization process increases energy levels during the crashing phase (this is when the caffeine starts to wear off and you may start to feel tired). The Malic acid helps control the down tired feeling you would normally get from natural or anhydrous caffeine.
What Is The Correct Dose
Again the amount you should take is going to vary depending on your tolerance, but the one thing you have to remember is that Caffeine Malate is 75% caffeine and 25% Malate acid.
This means that if you normally take 200 mg of caffeine you would have to take 250 mg of Caffeine Malate to equal that amount.
Another important thing to consider is that a lot of times products will mix caffeine malate and anhydrous together making it harder for you to calculate the exact amount of caffeine you are using.
When Should You Take It
This is completely up to you and how your body handles caffeine. I am a coffee addict and have a double shot of espresso first thing in the morning, at lunch and sometimes a single shot in the evening, and I’m still able to go to bed at 10pm.
If my wife did this she would have a heart attack or insomnia, whichever came first.
I would recommend first figuring out what your tolerance level is by taking a half dose and then going from there. If you’re looking to use it as a pre workout stimulant then you would obviously use it 15 to 20 minutes before a workout.
Be careful if you work out later in the day that you don’t drink too much caffeine in the morning and then before your workout, this may cause you to have trouble relaxing or sleeping that night.
How Long Does It Take For Caffeine To Kick In
The effects from a cup of coffee can be felt as early as 10 minutes after consumption, but takes about 45 minutes for peak caffeine concentration in the blood to occur.
This can also change if you’re drinking it on an empty or full stomach and how much water you have in your system.
The effects generally last between 4 to 6 hours, but this also depends on your tolerance and how much water you drink in between.
How Much Does Dicaffeine Malate Cost
Products containing Caffeine Malate vary from $1 to $3 per serving depending on where, size and brand that you buy.
If you work out 5 days a week your monthly total will be between $20 to $60.
Best Brand Of Dicaffeine Malate
You can find numerous products that include Dicaffeine Malate in it, but Genomyx Origin is the only one that I can find that uses it as its only source of caffeine.
All the other products combined Anhydrous and Malate together, the problem with this is if you’re looking to use Dicaffeine Malate your doing so because of stomach problems or the jitters that are commonly from Caffeine Anhydrous.
If this is the case it’s important that you do your research and find products that use it as its primary caffeine.
Benefits Of Dicaffeine Malate
- Protects the stomach – The addition of acid malate helps protect you from acid buildup and from your stomach lining thinning away.
- Helps your krebs cycle – Get ready for technical jargon, This is the sequence of reactions by which moist living cells generate energy during the process of aerobic respiration. It takes place in the mitochondria, consuming oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and water as waste products and converting ADP to energy rich ATP. In other words it helps boost your energy levels.
- Reduces fatigue – Caffeine is a stimulant which raises your blood pressure and heart rate which boosts your energy levels and mood, just be careful because too much caffeine can actually have the opposite reaction.
- Improves mental alertness – This is a side effect of the stimulant, anytime your heart rate is up your body perceives it as a fight or flight response and makes you more alert.
- Increase physical performance – When caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and reduces fatigue it also improves endurance and muscle strength.
- Boosts thermogenics – Caffeine actually tells your body to burn more energy, this process of metabolic burn is called thermogenics. Double blind Studies using a control group and a placebo group have been done that show the positive results on your metabolism.
Negative Side Effects Of Caffeine
- Anxiety – Stimulants make your bodies flight or fight response kick in, and this can lead to the jitters, anxiety and panic attacks if you drink to much.
- Insomnia – This is another symptom from caffeine being a stimulant but can be lessened if you make sure to avoid caffeinated drinks 5 to 6 hours before bed.
- High blood pressure – It is actually unknown why caffeine causes a short term, but high spike in your blood pressure. Some Dr’s think it’s from a hormone being blocked that helps your body keep its arteries widened.
- Rapid heartbeat – This is again caused by the flight or fight response, when your body feels threatened your adrenal glands start to empty which will cause rapid heartbeat.
- frequent urination – It can cause you to spend more time in the bathroom due to it being a diuretic and the fact that you’re drinking a fluid.
Who Should Avoid Caffeine
- Children – There hasn’t been enough studies done to show the long or short term effects caffeine will have on children. Limiting caffeine consumption is recommended for people under 18.
- If you’re on medications – Certain medications can have negative side effects when combined with caffeine, make sure to speak to your Dr about any negative side effects that can arise.
- If you suffer from anxiety – Common sense will tell you if you have anxiety or panic attacks that any type of stimulant is going to make these issues worse.
- Certain medical conditions – If you suffer from liver, kidney or heart problems adding any toxins or stimulants can have adverse effects, always consult your primary Dr to find out what is the safest approach.
9 Other Types Of Caffeine
A lot of people don’t realize that caffeine is found naturally in over 60 types of plants, I’m going to list the most popular and give a short description of each.
Caffeine Anhydrous
This is made from the seeds and leaves of coffee plants, after the crop is gathered caffeine is produced from the plants and then it’s dehydrated, this is why they call it Anhydrous because it means “without water”.
This makes a highly concentrated form of caffeine that is manufactured and sold as a powder or pill form. New laws have been put into place because a numerous deaths due to overdosing on caffeine anhydrous powder.
Natural Caffeine
60 different types of plants around the world produce caffeine, the seeds of coffee and cacao beans (dark chocolate) The leaves that make tea are high in caffeine.
The chemical composition of natural and synthetic caffeine is almost identical and in many cases indistinguishable, the biggest difference is that lab made caffeine is derived from urea and chloroacetic acid rather than produced from natural plants, roots and berries.
Guarana
This climbing plant or ivy is found in brazil and resembles an eye (it’s actually a little freaky) this fruit contains a variety of stimulants like caffeine, theophylline and theobromine. It also is high in antioxidants such as tannins, saponins and catechins.
Most of the products this fruit is used for is energy drinks with the remainder being made into powder. The guarana fruit has twice the concentration of caffeine then a coffee bean, guarana produces 2 to 4.5% caffeine compared to 1 to 2% with coffee beans.
Yerba Mate
This is an herb found in South America and is popular for making infusions and has 85 mg of caffeine per cup making it less then coffee, but more than tea. It is actually consumed 6 to 1 over coffee in Argentina, Paraguay, Uraguay and southern Brazil.
Green Tea Extract
This is simply the concentrated form of green tea, one capsule has the same amount of ingredients as one cup.
Along with caffeine it also has antioxidants, thermogenic properties, raises metabolism, heart and brain healthy.
An 8oz cup of green tea contains 30 to 50 mg of caffeine compared to a cup of coffee that has between 95 and 105 mg.
Coffee Extract
This is simply the coffee you buy at starbucks or make at home, so a cup of coffee or double shot of espresso is coffee extract.
Kola
This is a nut that is found in the rainforests of Africa and are primarily used as a way to flavor soda and as a supplement to increase energy and improve health.
The benefits of Kola nuts are the same as coffee and they contain micronutrients potassium, magnesium and calcium and contains 2 to 3% caffeine.
Caffeine Citrate
This is primarily used as a over the counter medication to to treat a lack of breathing in premature babies, this should never be used as a recreational way of increasing energy.
Conclusion
Caffeine when used responsibly can be garnered as a safe pre workout supplement, and a way to increase energy, mental alertness and raise your metabolism.
I’ve said this before and I’m gonna say it again, you need to listen to your body and modify your actions to do what is best for you. I love coffee, but I also know people that drink way to much of it and it starts to negatively affect their day to day living.
If you find yourself with the jitters drink water and try to not drink any caffeinated beverages after 12pm.
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