Coffee and caffeine drinks have been responsible for waking us up in the morning as well as giving us a boost through those sleepy periods of the day. However, it seems that caffeine is good for much more than waking you up in the morning. More and more studies have been shedding beneficial light on the health effects of caffeine, two of which are weight loss and muscle growth, especially if taken prior to workouts.

Here’s how it works:

Better Workout Performance: An Australian study has shown that glycogen is replenished within the body more rapidly when both caffeine and carbohydrates are consumed before tackling a high intensity exercise program. Glycogen is a primary fuel for muscle fiber and the combination of carbs and a high amount of caffeine produces around 66% more glycogen, which lasts throughout the workout and for hours after.

Also, consuming caffeine between 30 and 60 minutes before a workout increases both muscle speed and endurance and you get a mental boost to help you focus more intently on the exercises you’re performing. Caffeine also stimulates the nervous system, which causes harder muscle contractions. More intense contractions means stronger muscle growth.

Fat Loss and Leaner Muscle Mass: Caffeine has also been found to effectively assist with fat loss. This is a big plus for those involved in fitness programs to lose weight or to acquire leaner muscle mass in bodybuilding.

Besides harder and more focused workouts as described above, caffeine also helps your body to burn more energy from fat stores. Caffeine increases the flow of fatty acids from fat storage areas, such as those located in tough thigh and belly fat areas, so your body can utilize it instead of having to resort to lean muscle and carbs for its fuel.

Choose Your Caffeine Source Carefully

The source of your pre-workout caffeine is important. A giant cup of coffee can be effective. In addition, you can also get your caffeine from a pre-workout supplement. Such supplements combine other beneficial ingredients mixed with caffeine to give you an incredible boost for hard workouts and better muscle growing and fat burning capabilities.