The verdict: Mostly false.
Carbs, protein, and fats are fuel-giving macros. Caffeine, on the other hand, only makes you feel more energetic, Solovieva says. It does this by blunting adenosine’s effects in your system. When the neurotransmitter, which is produced when your body breaks down food, binds to specialized receptors, it makes you groggy.
Caffeine blocks these receptors so adenosine can’t send you sleepy signals. Unless they contain other ingredients like sugar, coffee, black tea, and other caffeinated drinks don’t really provide energy, she explains.