Coffee alone does not cause weight gain and, in fact, can promote weight loss by increasing metabolism and helping to control appetite. However, it can adversely affect sleep, which can promote weight gain. In addition, many popular coffee drinks and coffee combinations are high in calories and added sugar. A study by the Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences at Brooklyn College discussed a modest and inverse relationship with weight gain.
Researchers suggest that drinking coffee can actually lead to weight loss. Since the improvement was modest, the study cautioned against consuming coffee as a weight loss aid. The study found that coffee can also increase blood pressure, stating that caffeine and caffeinated coffee have been shown to sharply increase blood pressure and therefore pose a threat to the health of people at risk of cardiovascular disease. It depends on the type of coffee you drink.
A simple cup of brewed coffee has less than 5 calories and contains no fat. But if you dress your coffee with extras, whether at home or at your favorite coffee shop, you also add extra calories. A new analysis finds little benefit for people who are already enrolled in a weight-loss intervention. Beyond its potential effects on your overall health, sugary coffee can also delay your weight loss goals.
A first study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition exploring the effects of caffeine and coffee on metabolic rate suggests that coffee may increase metabolism and help you lose weight. It's possible that some of the antioxidant benefits of coffee, whether caffeinated or not, may help you lose weight. Pouring too much cream and sugar into your brew can counteract the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of coffee, Capille says, and deflect your weight-loss goals. If you don't follow a high-fat, low-carb diet, this type of coffee drink can affect your weight loss goals.
Coffee can interfere with or worsen these conditions, even when used as part of a weight-loss program. It's important to note that caffeine is behind many of these benefits, meaning you'll want to opt for caffeinated coffee when you're trying to lose weight. A higher or faster metabolism will allow you to burn more calories at rest or during physical activity, which can help you lose weight. Weight loss is associated with a calorie deficit, which is when you consume fewer calories than you burn.
However, “there is little evidence that caffeine consumption leads to significant weight loss or helps people keep weight down,” says Ganio. So what does this mix of studies mean for your health and weight loss? Basically, if you like to drink coffee, don't hesitate to enjoy a reasonable amount.
