Synergy of carbohydrate and caffeine ingestion on physical performance and metabolic responses to exercise: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Carbohydrates (CHO) and caffeine (CAF) are two ergogenic aids commonly used among athletes to enhance performance. However, there is some controversy as to whether the concurrent intake of both supplements might result in an additive and synergistic improvement in exercise performance. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effect of adding CAF to a protocol of CHO ingestion, compared with the intake of each ergogenic aid alone and with placebo, on exercise performance and metabolic responses in healthy young physically active adults. This study was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The PubMed, Web of Science, Medline Complete, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus and CENTRAL databases were searched including randomized controlled trials (RCT) that were at least single blind. The risk of bias assessment was performed using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool 2. Meta-analysis were performed on performance variables and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) using the random-effects model. Thirteen RCT with 128 participants (117 men and 11 women) were included in this study. The ingestion of CAF and CHO reduced sprint time during repeated sprint protocols in comparison with CHO isolated ingestion (SMD: −0.45; 95% CI: −0.85, −0.05) while there was a tendency for a reduction in the time employed during time trials (SMD: −0.36; 95% CI: −0.77, 0.05). The RPE tended to be lower with CAF and CHO compared with CHO isolated ingestion during steady-state exercise (SMD: −0.43; 95% CI: −0.91, 0.05) with no differences between conditions in performance trials (SMD: −0.05, 95% CI: −0.39, 0.29). Although most of the studies showed higher values of blood glucose when CHO was co-ingested with CAF compared with PLA, only two studies observed higher values with CHO and CAF co-ingestion with respect to the isolated intake of CHO. One study observed greater fat oxidation and lower glycogen use when CAF was added to CHO. In terms of cortisol levels, one study showed an increase in cortisol levels when CAF was co-ingested with CHO compared with PLA. In summary, concurrent CHO and CAF intake may produce an additive ergogenic effect respect of the isolated ingestion of CHO. This additive effect was present when CHO was provided by a 6–9% of CHO solution (maltodextrin/dextrin + fructose) and CAF is administered in a dose of 4–6.5 mg/kg.