Coffee intake during exercise increases stroke risk, finds new study

Coffee consumption during exercise may lead to stroke, finds new study.

Caffeine is one of the most commonly used ergogenic supplement used by sport nutrition industries. It is used by athletes to enhance their performance. Many studies have shown that too much caffeine can have dangerous side effects on the system such as high blood pressure, insomnia, the rapid increase in the heart rate and many more.

A shocking revelation has been made by a study which says that consumption of caffeine is associated with increased risk of thrombotic events including stroke and pulmonary embolism. The study was published in the Medicine & Science in Sports Exercise.

The researchers observed that the consumption of caffeine may augment coagulation potential during exercise. But it does not affect fibrinolysis. The data of the study suggest that excessive intake of caffeine during exercise may lead to adverse thrombotic events like stroke, pulmonary embolism and many more.

The study was conducted by a team of researchers at Ball State University to ascertain the effect of a single dose of caffeine on measures of coagulation and fibrinolysis before and after a single bout of high-intensity exercise.

The researchers conducted two trial on Forty-eight men of around 23 years having a body mass index of around 24 kg·m⁻² with 6 mg kg−1 of caffeine and placebo. Plasma concentrations of fibrinogen, factor VIII antigen, active tissue plasminogen activator, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) antigen, and active plasminogen-activator inhibitor-1 were assessed at baseline and immediately after exercise.

The researchers observed significant changes in active tissue plasminogen activator, tissue plasminogen activator antigen, fibrinogen, active plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. after the exercise. Main effects of time, condition, and a significant time–condition interaction were observed for factor VIII, which is an essential blood clotting protein, indicated by a significant increase in its levels.

Thrombosis refers to the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system. The event can occur during a rigorous body workout which is a serious threat to sportspersons and those who are already diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. Common people normally have a notion that blood clot is a problem associated with elderly people but not in young and apparently healthy individuals. Therefore, the symptoms might get misinterpreted as something else.

As caffeine is the most popular supplement among athletes the findings of the study suggest that consumption of caffeinated drinks and supplement during an intense workout is potentially harmful.

For further details on the study please visit

doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001815