Energy Boosts—Are They Worth It?

November 28, 2001

We all know that a cup of coffee can provide a much-needed energy boost during a long day of dance. And several studies from the past few months have reiterated that caffeine can improve athletes’ performance in endurance activities. According to research from St. Mary’s University in the UK, the thought is that caffeine increases the frequency or size of neural transmissions and helps to suppress pain.

However, guzzling too much joe can lead to a host of side effects that you won’t want to deal with. In some people, even small amounts of caffeine can cause anxiety, sleeplessness and restlessness. And many brands of coffee have much more caffeine than the average 100 mg per cup. So while coffee might help you power through that long rehearsal, it’s still no substitute for taking care of your body in other ways, like staying hydrated, getting enough sleep and eating well.