More Sleep Less Ra

Having more stress and responsibility, what researchers call high psychological demands, may make you lose sleep or even feel grumpy, but according to Swedish scientists it also reduces your chances of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). But those who have jobs that make them feel “job strain”, a combination of high psychological demands and a low level of control at work, are at a 30 percent higher risk of developing RA.

Source: Health Insider

Does Coffee Really Improve Your Performance?

Marathon racers, bicycle racers, cross country skiers, and other endurance athletes may benefit from the caffeine in coffee. The studies by David Costill, an exercise physiologist at Ball State University, indicated that trained cyclists worked 7 percent harder in two hours of cycling when they were given caffeine. In a second test they had 19 percent more endurance.

Caffeine’s stimulant effect is not responsible for increasing your endurance. Rather, caffeine lessens the amount of glycogen burned by the muscles. It stimulates the release of fats from the tissues into the bloodstream. When more fats are available, the muscles burn them in preference to the glycogen. This spares the glycogen stores, and the muscles are able to work longer.

Caffeine overdose is common with athletes who drink three to four cups of strong coffee. Two cups does the trick. The suggested dose is about one and a half to two milligrams per pound. A 150-pound runner may benefit from 300 milligrams of caffeine, the amount in two average cups of coffee.

Source: Sports Health