Does Coke Help?

I saw a pic of Damiano Cunego drinking one during the Tour I think, presumably for the quick burst of sugar.

Oi, I'd be nervous as hell about that (unless it was flat). I can only imagine how painful getting gassy might be while you're in the middle of a long ride.

wiredued said:

Does coke help any aspect of cycling? If that's true when would you drink it and do you mix it with anything to avoid stomach problems?

Also noticed the TdF pros pulling out short cans of Coke. Sugar and caffeine for a low price. I usually drink Diet Coke at rest stops if I'm feeling low on caffeine, only the real stuff if I'm really low on fuel. Other than a belch or two, have never been bothered by the carbonation. The Starbuck's Mocha/Frappie whatever's are good too for more milk and sugar calories with the caffeine...but they're pricey.

Make it flat and mix 50% with water.

wiredued said:

Does coke help any aspect of cycling? If that's true when would you drink it and do you mix it with anything to avoid stomach problems?

I've drunk defizzed Coke for years now, before time trials. I got this from some marathoner friends of mine. I've never had a problem with it. Whether it "helps" or not, I don't know. Moreover, it contains high fructose corn syrup instead of real sugar, so I don't even know if it gives a genuine sugar boost.

I really think caffeine and the carbonation effects people different. I'm terrible at trying to control my diet pepsi intake, but I admit it. Caffeine doesn't effect me unless I don't get any for 2 days. then watch out. Also the carbonation from soda doesn't make me gassy either, but it does to my brother. If I drink regular pepsi, i get a stomach ache and have to hit the toilet soon after. I'm not sure if its because of the sugar in regular pepsi and fake sugar in diet, but its totally different.

scottmilk9 said:

I'm terrible at trying to control my diet pepsi intake, but I admit it.

[Off topic] I read somewhere (a science journal, I think) that diet sodas affect the brain's natural calorie-counting ability and end up causing a lot of people to overeat. Something about how the absence of sugar hampers the brain's ability to "know" that you're taking in too much food/calories, and thus signal to you in different ways to stop eating/drinking. [/off topic]

I think the best time for a Coke is post-race, when you are in glycogen depletion. As someone has said, it contains corn-syrup, and doesn't really provide a profitable caffeine boost (~40mg). Before a race, I prefer a very strong cup of coffee -- something in the neighbourhood of 400mg of caffeine, which a grande-size drip at Starbucks will deliver. But it is also a mild diuretic, as well as bowel-irritant; I tolerate it fine, but others don't.

Caffeine is a performance enhancing drug there is no doubt about it, luckily for us its legal. Its probably only legal because it would be too hard to catch ppl taking caffeine, you can't ban coffee or coca cola!!! Caffeine metabolises fat very well and uses it effectively as an energy source which gives your carbs/ glycogen stores a break therefore giving you an energy boost and increasing performance...WOW!!! It acts like amphetamines in the fact that mentally it wakes you up and energises you, it also acts like amphetamines in the way that it burns fat! Take some NO-DOZ or a strong coffee in the morning (no sugar)and ride for an hour(no breakfast) you will burn pure fat. Very useful for body builders looking to "cut". Just make sure you can recover properly from this type of slimming technique, if you pig out excessively after the ride the fat burning effect will be negated.

There are a LOT of LEGAL performance enhancers you just have to know where to look and understand how to use them properly. Everything from libido, recovery, energy, lactate clearing, hydration, strength, bulk, slimming etc can be enhanced LEGALLY!!! It's an area many cyclists ignore and unfortunately many cyclists turn to ILLEGAL alternatives to enhance there performance, thats the worst part of our sport.

PS: Coke and Coffee taste nice aswell, treat yourself, its probably doing you good.

PSS: Don't worry about HR when taking caffeine it will artificially increase HR. Just ride higher HR when the caffeine takes effect until it goes away then return to normal HR zones.

So coke doesn't provide phosphorus to ATP benefits for sprinting. That was the first thing that came to mind when a MTBer suggested it to me but he didn't know why it helped him he just said you should try coke.

Instead of coke try XS energy drinks, I couldn't find the caffine content on their website but it has to be high. It has no suger, an absolute boatload of B and other vitamins and no suger. I can really feel a differance before a race. They also taste great. I think better than coke

wiredued said:

Does coke help any aspect of cycling? If that's true when would you drink it and do you mix it with anything to avoid stomach problems?

yes cocaine will help u only one ride.. then u will feel wasted