People have different ways to give themselves an energy boost before the hike, and one of them is drinking coffee. But should you drink coffee before a hike?

Coffee is a popular beverage containing caffeine, which boosts energy and helps relieve stress. Some hikers drink coffee before hikes to reap its benefits that elevate their performance on the hike. In comparison, others take the bad repo of caffeine seriously and avoid it even though extra energy is a precious asset on the hike.

Drinking coffee before a hike has many benefits. It gives you an energy boost to help you get through the hike, protects against cell damage, and improves cognitive health. However, drinking coffee is a matter of preference as it can make a person feel anxious and isn’t recommended during pregnancy.

Everyone has their perspective about drinking coffee before a hike. Some people might see it as a necessity, and others might not care, or the caffeine might not work for them if they usually have it too much. There is no correct answer for drinking coffee before a hike. You have to try and see it for yourself.

We are a bunch of hiking enthusiasts and have made this guide with our extensive knowledge of the topic we gathered during our hiking experience. This article weighs the pros and cons of drinking coffee to see if it tilts more on the positive or negative scale and will also discuss some common concerns people have about coffee.

Pros of Drinking Coffee Before a Hike

Caffeine Boosts Energy

Nutritionists and gym trainers recommend taking coffee before the workout to support physical performance. Caffeine boosts the human body's adrenaline, relieving your senses and giving you an energy boost. As hiking requires intense physical strength, coffee is a surefire way to provide your body with a healthy dose of energy.

Promotes Healthier Mind

Having a positive mindset is vital to executing a good performance on the trail. Coffee has antioxidant properties that promote healthier brain cells. A healthier mind keeps you motivated for a long time and drives your hunger to achieve your goals. Another benefit of coffee promoting a healthier mind is reducing the risks of severe conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s disease.

Improved Cognitive Function

Many studies repeatedly prove that coffee improves the mind’s cognitive function. Cognitive function refers to different mental skills required to perform daily tasks. These include learning, memorizing, thinking, attentiveness, problem-solving, decision making, etc. People who start their day with coffee are more likely to perform better with these skills. A more effective mind results in better performance on the trail.

Coffee Acts as a Natural Stimulant

Natural stimulant drinks help you feel more awake as the caffeine targets your brain’s cognitive part. Hikers usually set off on their adventure in the early mornings. So if someday you are not able to get out of bed or didn’t get much sleep, a cup of black coffee will freshen up your senses.

Coffee Helps Burn Fat

Black coffee is a healthy drink as it not only promotes physical and mental health but also helps in fat burning. If you’ve picked up hiking as an activity to become more active and burn fat, coffee will help you achieve that goal faster so you can perform better gradually.

Cons of Drinking Coffee Before a Hike

Increased Risk

Unfortunately, drinking coffee has some adverse effects on the human body besides its advantages. One of them is that coffee causes the body to lose calcium, weakening your bones. The calcium is carried out while urinating. Weaker bones will result in less strength and more tiredness, significantly impacting your hiking performance. The good thing is that you can balance out the calcium loss by adding milk to your coffee.

Weight Gain

We talked earlier about how coffee helps in fat burning. On the other hand, it poses an equal risk of weight gaining. Many people use coffee to cut back on their food intake as it beats hunger and decreases appetite. However, the negative reaction comes from caffeine which increases sugar levels, awakening your sweet tooth cravings. When you drink too much coffee, your sugar levels are likely to be spiked, and you will often find yourself munching on sweet and junky snacks that are a scary reason for obesity.

Sleep Pattern

Loss of sleep is one of the most common side effects of coffee. While you might drink coffee in the morning and before the hike to relieve drowsiness, it can be difficult if you are going on a late night hike. It is not advised to have coffee after 6 pm as it takes at least six hours for the coffee to be eliminated from the body. If you decide to have coffee before your hike, make sure that it does not disturb your sleeping pattern.

Moreover, too much caffeine can be an addiction. If you have an increased gap between your regular coffee sessions, your body will crave caffeine. The deficiency it feels will result in anxiety and loss of sleep. You can avoid this by having decaffeinated coffee.

Does Coffee Dehydrate You While Hiking?

Generally, coffee does not dehydrate you, but it can urge you to urinate frequently. Coffee is mildly diuretic, meaning that it causes your kidneys to flush water and excess sodium from the body through urine. You will probably get enough liquid from the drink to balance out frequent water dispersing.

Whether coffee dehydrates you or not depends on the weather and distance of your hike. If it is too hot, it is probably a good idea to stay clear of the beverage to avoid dehydration. If you are hiking for an extended time and covering a long distance, you might want to stay as hydrated as possible. However, you can have coffee and still cover a long distance by frequently drinking water. As long as you have a clean water source or water filters, drinking coffee before challenging hikes shouldn’t be a problem.

Knowing how much caffeine is good for your body is essential to reap the benefits of coffee while keeping its downsides at bay. High doses of caffeine can result in mood changes and a negative mentality. Having decaffeinated black coffee is the best way to enjoy your hike as it offers similar benefits to caffeinated coffee and reduces its disadvantages significantly.

How to Use Caffeine on the Trail

Don’t Skip Your Morning Brew

Due to the misconception that coffee dehydrates the hiker, many people skip their morning brews, so they don’t have to urinate during the hike. However, we saw earlier that coffee does not dehydrate you. It only makes you urinate more but so does every other drink. What they don’t do is rehydrate themselves when required. Coffee gives you that extra boost to kickstart your hike with a high and end it without wearing out. If you miss your morning brew, you will lack the energy to complete the trail without feeling worn out.

You Have to Like it to Drink It

Coffee is not a medicine, so you won’t drink it unless you like it. You will probably prefer having tea, soda, or energy drinks that you want to give yourself an energy boost. However, it is important to keep hydrating on the trail as you undergo constant physical tests. It is not essential to hydrate with coffee but with any liquid containing caffeine. Pack a few cans of your favorite sports drink, or keep a thermos of your favorite tea to satisfy your hydration needs.

Pack Caffeine as the Last Resort

A common buster among hikers is the last few miles which are the hardest to cover as the energy levels hang low. This concern requires a simple solution - caffeine. Cyclists, marathon runners, mountaineers, and many other athletes rely on caffeine to overcome their tiredness and cover the closing distance.

It’s unnecessary to have coffee to give you the boost you need to end your journey on a high. You can carry energy drinks, caffeinated snack bars, sports gels, etc. It usually takes 30 minutes to kick in, but it is worth it when you take that final step and achieve what you set out for.

How to Boost Your Energy Levels While Hiking?

Hiking is an extreme physical activity that tests your strength to the maximum level. To have a good hiking experience, you must ensure everything is up to the mark from your end, and the most important thing you should consider is your diet before, during, and after the hike. Only proper nutrition is the way to keep your energy levels boosted throughout the hike. While coffee is a surefire way to boost your performance, there are more things you need to consider.

How Much Should You Eat Before the Hike?

Hiking on an empty stomach is a suicide mission, but so is overeating. Feeling a tight stomach is the last thing you want to feel before a hike. Firstly, it will lower your stamina and make you wear down much quicker. Secondly, there is always a risk of upsetting your digestive system by eating too much. In any case, your adventure on the trail will be over before it starts.

Eating one to three hours before the hike gives the body plenty of time to process and digest. However, that does not mean you can have a three-course meal before hiking. Try to limit your pre-hike meal to 500 calories but ensure it is full of carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and vitamins. Eggs, avocado, oatmeal, peanut butter, and whole grain cereals are all good options.

What Should You Eat and Drink a Night Before Your Hike?

The night before the hike is the time to prepare yourself mentally and physically. For that, the best meal options are complex carbohydrates. These carbs take longer to digest, giving your body sustainable energy. In comparison, simple carbs are an instant energy boost but digest quicker, so the energy does not last for long. Common complex carb foods include whole-grain pasta, sweet potatoes, beans, etc. On the other hand, you wouldn’t want to lose your sleep the night before the hike. So make sure you do not have coffee or any caffeinated drink.

What Should You Eat and Drink During the Hike?

Hiking constantly consumes your energy, so it is all the more important to refuel yourself during the hike. But if you are a big fan of crispy fried chicken, you should probably have that after the hike. Greasy and oily snacks will lower your energy levels. High energy snacks are the best picks for this time. These include simple carbs such as bananas. Other options include energy bars, granola bars, trail mix, dried fruits, and of course, coffee.