UAN: Article type:++add book link at top++ -->This is adapted from the book, Eat Smart, Play Hard, by RW USA Nutrition Editor Liz Applegate. Log on to the Internet, flip through a fitness magazine, or cruise the supplement aisles in a health food

in 1651 and today we drink more than 70 million cups of coffee every day.With more than 21,000 studies on coffee's stimulant, caffeine, scientists have solved pretty much every mystery associated with the popular drink, aside from the point

the recovery benefits. The sugar in honey travels quickly to recovering muscles, "so it's a good choice immediately after exercise," says Gidus.Teas contain less caffeine than coffee - herbal is caffeine-free - so they're less likely to interfere with hydration

dismutase) that are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. Some people who drink it report less muscle soreness and faster recovery rates after intense training.Performance boostWhere caffeine can come into its own is in aiding performance before

these may cause digestive problems on race day. So, if you do opt for pasta, use a simple sauce.When it comes to your choice of drink, stick to water at the evening meal. Avoid coffee and tea, which contain caffeine and can therefore disrupt your sleep

at the start of a run - dehydration will affect your performance and can trigger bowel symptoms such as cramps and diarrhoea. Avoid caffeine for 24 hours before a race because this can irritate the gut, and consider changing your sports drink; highly

-calorie flavoured waters for a fresh, fruity way to stay hydrated.Buzz off Keep an eye on your caffeine intake from tea, cola and coffee. Don’t rely on caffeine to stay awake during sluggish winter days. It will only leave you jittery and dependent on the stuff

during pregnancy. Taking ginseng with caffeine has been known to result in stomach upsets, hyperactivity and insomnia. Long-term use for women is not generally advised as it may cause menstrual abnormalities. But if taken as as directed, ginseng is safe

, but that didn’t mean caffeine didn’t work.”The biggest hurdle protein faces is that it violates the laws of nutrition and exercise physiology. Protein as an energy source is like apples that detach from a tree and float upward. I have several 600-page exercise

food you’re already eating even better. Now, will it be mushrooms, fried onion rings...If you're a Runner's World UK magazine subscriber, you can see a full 10 sets of good-better-bests right here, including pre- and post-run nutrition. Otherwise, enjoy