Caffeine does not improve maximal oxygen capacity directly, but could permit athlete to train at a greater power output and/or to train longer. It has also been shown to increase speed and/or power output in simulated race conditions. These effects have been found in activities that last as little as 60 seconds or as long as 2 hours.

There is less information about effects of caffeine on strength; however, recent work suggests no effect on maximal ability, but enhanced endurance or resistance to fatigue. There is no evidence that caffeine ingestion before exercise leads to dehydration, ion imbalance, or any other adverse effects.

What about negative effects of coffee?

Coffee is enjoyed as a drink by millions of people worldwide. It contains caffeine, which is a mild stimulant, and in many people coffee enhances alertness, concentration and performance. Although it contains a wide variety of substances, it is generally accepted that caffeine is responsible for many of coffee's physiological effects. Because caffeine influences central nervous system in a number of ways and because a small number of people may be particularly sensitive to these effects, some people have attributed coffee to all sorts of health problems.

Caffeine is not recognized as a drug of abuse and there is no evidence for caffeine dependence. Some particularly sensitive people may suffer mild symptoms of withdrawal after sudden abstention from coffee drinking. A 150ml cup of instant coffee contains about 60mg caffeine, filtered coffee slightly more; for those who like coffee but are sensitive to caffeine, decaffeinated beverage contains only 3mg per cup.

Coffee drinking can help asthma sufferers by improving ventilatory function.

There is no evidence that coffee drinking is a risk for development of cancer. For several types of cancer there is disagreement between studies but again, other aspects of lifestyle may be implicated. There is even a strong suggestion that coffee may have a protective effect against colon cancer. A possible explanation may lie in many antioxidant substances present in coffee and which are currently subjects of active research.

In some sensitive individuals, ingestion of coffee after a period of abstinence may cause a temporary rise in blood pressure but there is no hypertensive effect in long term. Coffee made by Scandinavian method of boiling or by cafetiere method may cause mild elevation of plasma cholesterol concentration in some people, but instant, filter coffee, and liquid coffee extract have no such effects. Overall there is no influence of coffee drinking on heart disease risk.

There is no sound scientific evidence that modest consumption of coffee has any effects on outcomes of pregnancy or on wellbeing of child. Bone health is not affected by coffee drinking. Adverse effects in some published studies have been attributed to aspects of lifestyle that are often shared by coffee drinkers, such as smoking and inactivity. Coffee drinking can help asthma sufferers by improving ventilatory function.

There is no reason for people who are prone to ulcers to avoid coffee.

Research continues and must be subjected to critical scrutiny and re-evaluation. At present time, there is no reason to forego pleasurable experience of moderate coffee drinking for health reasons

The Percolator was preferred way to make coffee in 1950's. Now coffee drinkers see light that coffee made this way was thin, watery and bitter. Most people may remember it by perking pot and aroma it gave off.

The Neapolitan flip device is made up of two segment. The whole product comes in aluminum, copper or stainless steel. An area in between two segments holds coffee grounds. The lower part is poured with water and put directly on stovetop to heat. While boiling steam goes through a hole under grounds. After that, pot is removed from stove, flipped over to drip water on grounds, which go into serving pot. The down side to this is that it only makes about 3 or 4 cups per serving.

There are two different types of espresso makers, stovetop and household electric counter top model. A nice characteristic about counter top model is it can steam milk for cappuccino and latte’s. Stovetop on other hand have two parts similar to Neapolitan flip method only no flipping needed.

French Press is a trendy European way that allows for more oils and coffee solids that give you a cup of coffee with a lovely smell and has a dense body. More of your strong coffee drinkers would prefer this technique. Although good and strong, some grounds may enter coffee during process. Vacuum procedures are more involved and are used for ceremonies mostly by Japanese. They are rare and very hard to find.

The Middle Eastern way is popular of course in Middle East and also Greece and Turkey. Their form of making coffee is also very different and comes out to be dark, thick and syrupy tasting. Because it is so rich, one or two cups a day would probably be all I could drink.

Last but not least on list, cold water method simply soaking coffee grinds in cold water for about a day, straining grounds, and storing liquid in a refrigerator for a few weeks. When you want a cup, boil some water and add liquid to desired taste.

Makes a rather mild cup for those of you who like it that way.

If you’re not into roasting beans yourself, your choices are still many. Coffee manufacturers have given us an almost unending list of different blends and flavors. How coffee’s ground after its roasted will have a major effect on taste of coffee. There are regular, coarse and finely ground coffees.

The taste is also affected by combination of type of coffee used. The two categories of trees from which coffee beans come from are called Arabica and Robusta. The Arabica is a milder coffee and Robusta a much stronger coffee.

Another important addition to coffee world has been addition of many flavorings, and flavored creamers. If you haven’t browsed through coffee selections lately, you owe it to your taste buds to check out many varieties and flavors of coffee.