A Theory on Why Caffeine and Creatine Don’t Mix
I’ve always heard and read that it’s never a good idea to be drinking a lot of caffeine when you’re taking caffeine. I’m assuming most of you have read something along these lines as well. So my initial thought was that creatine has been reported to help your muscles retain water, but if you notice when you drink a lot of caffeine you have to urinate more. So at first I thought that was the reason not to mix the two.
Well, rather than relying on my own thinking, I decided to look up some information on the topic. I came across a really interesting article from CreatineMonohydrate.net, and I’ll quote from it below:
Certain wrong explanations, however, can be discounted from the start. First, the fact that caffeine is a diuretic has nothing to do with its counterproductive effect…These opposing effects of caffeine and creatine have inspired rumors that caffeine counteracts the benefits of creatine by preventing muscles from retaining fluids.
So right away I learned that my assumption was wrong. So what is the big problem anyway? Well, this article goes on to explain more:
It is thus relevant that one of PCr’s primary roles in muscle is to provide the energy to return calcium into these reservoirs. In this manner creatine (PCr) assists in muscle relaxation and enhances our athletic performance. Interestingly, caffeine has the opposite effect of allowing calcium to escape from these intracellular calcium storage sites. Caffeine would thus hamper muscle relaxation. In agreement with these findings a recent study has shown that caffeine interferes with creatine’s ability to facilitate muscle relaxation, especially during moments of fatigue. Caffeine might thusly confound the ability of PCr to store away calcium and in doing so nullify part of creatine’s benefit.
So it isn’t really about the water, it’s more about calcium!
Another interesting thing I learned from this article is that most of the problems come from continuous caffeine use. If you’re just grabbing a Coke from time to time you shouldn’t see any problems. (I’d still say to limit the Coke though! 
) But if you’re doing it daily, you can expect to see less benefit from your creatine use.
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I have personaly been taking creatine for over 4 years now. I do however drink a couple cups of coffee every single day and havent seen any effects to those written here. Of course, everyone is different and are effected differently. I know lots of basketball players like myself that do the same.
I never knew that caffeine and creatine don’t mix. How does this rule apply to creatine supplements that contain caffeine and are taken pre-workout (i.e. NO explode)?
Hmm.. Guess that those who take lots of caffeine must be careful =) Don’t go around drinking too much. Even coke can hurt your calsium in your bones and reduce your bone density.
my father take a lot of caffeine and i should tell him about this…better prevent before you really gets it….glad you told me this,thanks…
Hmm….coffee lovers should becareful now. Thanks for the article man…it really educates people. Cheers
Ya, too much of caffeine is not good for health…
I read some where that, it can lead to cancer…
Whether it is true?
Please try to post article for this mate..
Im a coffee addict and this post is really open my eyes. But how can i change my habit?
Coffee is bad for health. Should advice them to cut down from drinking.
Coffee is terrible for your health plus it gives you bad breath.
coffee is amazing!
I really need to stop drinking caffeine and get it all out of my system. It’s just so addictive though.
A bit off-topic, but many health insurance companies (especially ion Ohio) are using the BMI (Body Mass Index) to help determine health insurance rates. So..it actually does pay to lose weight!
I once took creatine and caffeine together and got awful cramps from the dehydration. At the time I didn’t know what was causing it, luckily through some research I wisened up to the effects of the two combined.
that’s only a theory…