In the Spring 2022 National Coffee Data Trends report, NCA records that 66% of Americans consume coffee daily.
Also, this higher coffee consumption rate is even more increased in 2022, particularly 8% higher since January 2021.
And not only in America, but coffee is also the comfortable morning beverage of most people throughout the globe.
Therefore, it makes more sense if this morning coffee cup is filled with nutrients your body needs to function better, one of which is L-carnitine.
L-carnitine is an essential nutrient for the body and has many benefits. It strengthens immune systems, boosts heart health, and improves blood circulation.
But should you consume L-carnitine with black coffee?
Though you can consume L-carnitine with natural food sources, adding it to your coffee (or black coffee) breaks down the fatty acids in the body to turn them into energy when this energy combines with the mood-enlightening effects of coffee, the body’s efficiency and functioning increase.
Sounds exciting, right? The following guide covers in detail the effect of L-carnitine on the body when consumed with coffee.
Stick till the end to find more about L-carnitine, the correct way to absorb it in your body, precautions and warnings, and more!
What Exactly is L-carnitine?
L-carnitine, also known as l’carnitine or carnitine, is a molecule present in the human body.
It is responsible for various processes in the body, but its primary function is to break down fatty acids inside the body and burn them into energy that is provided to cells.
There is much debate about whether L-carnitine is an amino acid, a vitamin, or a whole nutrient.
In reality, it is not an amino acid or vitamin but a nutrient that the body needs to stay healthy and sound, as proved by studies.
In simple words, the sufficiency of L-carnitine in the body can boost the immune system, improve cardiovascular health, increase muscle oxygen and stamina, speeds up red blood cell production, soothes muscle soreness, and is also effective for Type 2 Diabetes.
Want to explore more about L-carnitine and its impacts on the human body? This guide provides all the details you need to know about L-carnitine!
Why Take L-carnitine With Your Coffee?
As mentioned by Oregon State University, some of L-carnitine’s common yet richest food sources are red meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products.
Other sources with slightly less L-carnitine ratio include fruit, vegetables, and grain.
Surely you can consume L-carnitine through your daily diet by munching on a variety of fruits, vegetables, and meat.
Yet, most people who prefer sipping on their coffee first thing in the morning can fulfill this supplement’s intake by mixing L-carnitine in the beverage.
It is scientifically proven that L-carnitine strengthens your immune system, making it essential for your body.
Thus, like other nutrients, your body should absorb it as soon as possible. Adding it to your coffee is an easy yet effective way to get that boost of energy all day.
Should You Take L-carnitine with Black Coffee?
Black coffee is one of the most loved morning beverages worldwide and has clinically proven benefits, including boosting energy and enlightening mood.
Recent research also states that black coffee is full of nutrition, containing small amounts of vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols which help fight inflammation and regulate blood sugar levels.
Studies have also shown that a stable intake of black coffee has wholesome effects on the central nervous system and improves behavior.
Thus, When combined with the positive effects of L-carnitine, your body’s energy levels will rise faster and keep you fresh throughout the day. It will work as an antidepressant and will elevate your mood and productivity.
Is Absorbing L-carnitine With Coffee Better Than Eating Food Rich in L-carnitine?
Natural food is excellent when it comes to dietary intake and nutrient sufficiency. You can eat as many natural fruits, vegetables, and other L-carnitine sources without fearing any side effects.
However, though you have to take care by adding a limited amount of L-carnitine to your coffee (or black coffee), the results can be faster on your health.
It’s because much of the energy you get from food will be stored as fat for later use. Yet, consuming L-carnitine will give energy from the stored fat in the body, making it a strong nutrient to boost your overall health.
Different Ways to Absorb L-carnitine in Your Body & Which One is the Best!
There are different ways to absorb L-carnitine into your body. You can take tablets, buy powder, or get injections. When consuming coffee, you can take a capsule or add the powder to your beverage.
Note that you should carefully choose whether you want to take tablets or powdered L-carnitine and stick to it.
Switching back and forth between tablets and powdered form can result in an unstable L-carnitine dosage absorption leading to negative effects on your body.
Nootriment states that liquid L-carnitine tends to absorb more quickly in the body than in tablet/capsule form.
That is, you can mix the powdered L-carnitine into your coffee and have it enter your bloodstream as you drink your beverage.
How to Take L-Carnitine With Coffee? The Correct Dosage Requirements
As mentioned earlier, mixing L-carnitine into your coffee is the best way to have it. Though you can also take tablets/capsules, powdered L-carnitine enters quickly into the bloodstream and shows faster results than other in-take forms.
WebMD recommends adults take 2 grams of L-carnitine as a regular dosage. For children, a dosage of 50-100 mg of L-carnitine is safe to consume daily. These dosage rates can be taken for up to one year.
However, it is always safer to consult your healthcare provider to find the best for your body.
You can choose between flavored and unflavored L-carnitine powder, though make sure to read the ingredients before buying.
Precautions and Warnings When Taking L-carnitine
L-carnitine is an essential nutrient required by the body. You can fill your plate with various fruits, vegetables, and meat to fill your body’s need for this nutrient.
However, when taken in a supplement form (tablet/powder/injection), precaution is needed to ensure a safe L-carnitine absorption by the body.
First, it is always recommended to consult your doctor before starting with adding supplements like L-carnitine to your diet.
A professional doctor can better suggest what your body needs and how to absorb it correctly.
Further, various health conditions should be considered before getting started with L-carnitine.
WebMD mentions the following health states where you should be careful ingesting L-carnitine:
- Pregnancy: Eating a proper diet is mandatory if you are pregnant, so consultation with a doctor about whether or not to take L-carnitine is a must. Till now, it is not scientifically proven if L-carnitine has positive effects in pregnancy, so a safer side would be to avoid it.
- Breastfeeding: Ingesting L-carnitine is safe in breastfeeding if taken in small amounts. Also, though the supplement is recommended to be consumed for long, it is safer to take it in short intervals. Infants can also get L-carnitine intake mixed in the milk formula or breast milk but in short quantities.
- Children: Small children should consume L-carnitine for the short term; consulting the doctor is recommended. In the beginning, it would be safer to take the dose for up to 6 months and continue for up to 12 months if no side effects are shown.
- Seizures: L-carnitine should not be consumed by those suffering from seizures. If taken, the supplement can increase the risk of frequent seizure episodes and may cause other negative effects associated with seizures on the body.
- Underactive Thyroid: Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland fails to fulfill the body’s need for thyroid hormones. Taking L-carnitine can be dangerous if you have hypothyroidism, as it can worsen the condition. It can also further imbalance the hormones in the body, resulting in other issues such as adverse cardiovascular health, unstable body temperature, and difficulty moving food through the digestive tract.
Suffice to say, where supplements like L-carnitine have lots of benefits, they can also result in health issues if not consumed correctly.
Thus, visit your doctor before ordering your supplement, and always beware of any side effects.
Bottom Line
The human body needs nutrients to function properly, and while you can get all the nutrition from nature, it is not always possible.
At times like these, supplements are a handy yet effective option to fulfill the body’s need for nourishment.
L-carnitine is an essential nutrient required by the body for a strengthened immune system, healthy cardiovascular system, and good muscle and blood functioning.
You can combine the positive effects of L-carnitine with the boosting impact of coffee by adding the supplement to your morning black coffee.
Though you can consume L-carnitine in various ways — tablets, capsules, and injections, the powdered form is the best and safest way to add it to your coffee.
This way, you can always better control your intake and keep checking on how much you add.
Furthermore, L-carnitine should always be consumed in small amounts, and consulting a doctor beforehand is safer.
Especially during various health conditions such as pregnancy and breastfeeding, you should first consult your healthcare provider.
The supplement is not recommended for patients with seizures and an underactive thyroid.