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Dicaffeine Malate

Dicaffeine Malate (which literally means two caffeine molecules bonded to a malic acid molecule) is predominantly still the good old caffeine we’ve come to know and love over the years. The purported differences one will experience using this form over the original caffeine, however, is that they should notice a slower onset of energy, along with that same energy lasting a bit longer.

Unfortunately, despite the growing popularity of this compound, the reality is that clinical studies on it are not currently available, so all information on the ingredient is presently in an “anecdotal only” stage.

What it does

Caffeine itself has been studied more times than almost any other dietary supplement. They’ve shown it to be able to increase anaerobic running capacity[1], power output[2], adrenaline levels[3], aerobic exercise capacity[4], fat oxidation level and metabolic rate[5], reaction time[6], testosterone levels[7], total training volume[8], feeling of wakefulness[9], blood flow[10], and thermogenesis[11]. Caffeine has also shown the ability to decrease rate of perceived exertion[12] and total level of fatigue[13].

How it works

Caffeine is classified as a stimulant and as such, it helps people feel more energetic. Unlike most other stimulants, however, caffeine doesn’t directly energize you, but instead it blocks or antagonizes adenosine receptors in the brain.

By antagonizing these receptors, adenosine is blocked from activating them, making your brain think it is time to be awake instead of time for rest/sleep. Basically, caffeine is a trickster that tells your brain its earlier in the day than it thinks it is, helping to stave off the desire to sleep.

Dosing

Due to dicaffeine malate not being “pure” caffeine (as it is bonded to a malic acid molecule), it should be dosed at approximately 125% the amount of traditional caffeine anhydrous.

Since the generally accepted starting point for caffeine is 200mg, look to try 250mg of dicaffeine malate to assess your tolerance. For more intense performance enhancing benefits, doses can range from 5-7.5mg/kg of bodyweight (453-681mg for a 200lbs athlete).

References

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16540848
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22496767
  3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11815511
  4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22142020
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2333832
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21266929
  7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18458357
  8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21157384
  9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16541243
  10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21349479
  11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21883004
  12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21605608
  13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14668172