Study Reveals Unsweetened Coffee Could Be the Secret to Effective Weight Loss

Weight Loss: Coffee consumption is extremely popular among Americans these days. According to a survey conducted by Drive Research, 74% of people admit that they drink coffee every day. Additionally, scientists believe that coffee consumption can be a healthy habit.

In fact, drinking coffee in moderate amounts has been linked to several health benefits, such as a reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Now, another benefit may be added to this list. According to a study published in “The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” on October 1, consuming unsweetened coffee may help in weight loss.

The connection between coffee and weight loss

The authors of this study reported that people often consume sugar, artificial sweeteners, cream, or non-dairy creamer in coffee. They tried to know how weight changes depending on the coffee consumed, the amount of caffeine in it, and what is added to the coffee. The researchers also examined whether coffee or caffeine could help with any kind of weight loss if it was added with sugar.

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The study involved 48,891 people from the “Nurses’ Health Study,” 83,464 people from the “Nurses’ Health Study II,” and 22,863 people from the “Health Professionals Follow-up Study.” All participants were asked questions about their diet and beverage intake over the past year and the next four years. After analyzing this data, the researchers found that when a person consumed a cup of unsweetened coffee, their weight decreased by about 0.12 kg (0.26 lb).

In contrast, when a person consumed a teaspoon of sugar, their weight increased by 0.09 kg (0.20 lb). Furthermore, cream and non-dairy creamer did not show any effect on weight. The study also found that changes in coffee or sugar intake had a greater effect on overweight and obese individuals, particularly in younger individuals.

How does unsweetened coffee help with weight loss?

Dr. Colleen Gulick, an exercise physiologist, says there are several ways coffee may help with weight loss. The first is through its thermogenic effect. “Caffeine, which is an important component of coffee, stimulates thermogenesis, which causes the body to produce heat to burn calories. This can increase energy expenditure,” she explained.

The second way is by suppressing appetite. “Caffeine is known to have appetite-suppressing properties, which may reduce overall calorie intake.”

Thirdly, coffee contains bioactive compounds, such as chlorogenic acid and polyphenols, that are associated with metabolic benefits, such as improved insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, which may help with body weight control.

Fourth, coffee may enhance physical performance. “Caffeine has been shown to improve endurance and physical performance. Regular consumption of unsweetened coffee may help with weight loss by increasing calorie expenditure during physical activity.”

Finally, unsweetened coffee may help with weight loss because it is lower in calories than other beverages. For example, a medium black coffee at Starbucks contains only 5 calories. A caramel corn toast has 250 calories and 33 grams of sugar.

Health problems caused by increased coffee consumption

Dr. Alex Foxman, medical director, Achieve Health and Weight Loss, explained that while coffee has many health benefits, it can also cause problems for some individuals. “Coffee can cause sleeplessness, anxiety, restlessness, heart palpitations, and stomach upset, especially in individuals who are sensitive to caffeine or who drink too much coffee,” he said.

Additionally, coffee may interact with certain medications and supplements, such as anticoagulants, antidepressants, iron, and calcium.

Conclusion

This study shows that consuming unsweetened coffee may help with weight loss, while consuming sugar may lead to weight gain, which may negate the benefits. If you are considering consuming coffee for weight loss, it is best to include unsweetened coffee in your diet.

However, keep in mind that excessive caffeine consumption may cause certain health problems, such as restlessness and sleep problems. If you have specific health problems, consult your doctor before increasing your caffeine intake.

FAQs

Q. Does unsweetened coffee help with weight loss?

A. Yes, studies have shown that unsweetened coffee consumption can lead to weight loss, especially if no sugar is added.

Q. Does adding sugar to coffee affect weight loss?

A. Yes, if sugar is added to coffee, the benefits of weight loss may be reduced and weight gain may occur.

Q. Does caffeine help with weight loss?

A. Yes, caffeine consumption increases thermogenesis, which makes the body burn more calories and may reduce appetite, thereby helping with weight loss.

Q. Can drinking coffee cause any health problems?

A. If coffee is consumed in large quantities or if the person is sensitive to caffeine, it can cause problems such as anxiety, restlessness, and lack of sleep.

Q. Is sugarless coffee better than other beverages?

A. Yes, sugarless coffee is low in calories, while beverages with sugar and creamer have more calories, which can contribute to weight gain.